Back in January of 2012 Ink Masters Debuted and took the competition Reality TV Shows by storm. Bringing the world of tattooing to many artists and those who love competition shows alike. Each Season a group of people compete for 100,000 dollars, a spot in Inked Magazine and the title of Ink Master. But this season. Season 9, the stakes are higher. With the title of Ink Master on the line, 200,000 dollars and the first ever Master Shop Title. But this isn’t a review of the show. This is a countdown blog post.
Today I will be listing my favorite participants of Ink Master. 10 being the lowest and 1 being the highest. So lets count it down.
10. From season 2 and 7: Sarah Miller, her style and ability was great and fun to watch the entire season. From out of the gate I started rooting for her, because he tattoos were just that good to look at.
9. From Season 3 and 5: Jason Clay Dunn, dude just rocks. That beard was crazy awesome and he reminded me of the likes of Zac Brown. His tattoo ability was sick but it was sad to see him go. Than when he came back in Season 5 and WIN the whole thing. That was just awesome.
8. From Season 5 and 7 and 9: Cleen Rock One, the runner up to the title of Ink Master. The fight for the top between Cleen and Jason Dunn was epic to behold. It was clear to see why these two artists made it to the top of the pile.
7. From Season 1: Bili Vegas: While the dude was arrogant (not on the level of Al Fliction). But Bili unlike Al, had the skills to back it up. Bili’s tattoo abilities are off the hook. Though it was his arrogance and hubris that got him out in the end. The canvas he got where he covered up the Insane Clown Posse tattoo with the eye, I went to school with and I graduated with her older brother. (So it was cool to see someone from my hometown on the show.)
6. From Season 4 and 7: Walter “Sausage” Frank, his presence on the show was a breath of fresh air. His skills with the tattoo machine were some great things to watch. It is no wonder he made it to the top and lost I felt by a slight margin to Scott Marshall.
5. From Season 9: This season is not yet done and the competition has started weeding out the weakest teams. But one team in particular has weaseled their way into my heart and cracked the top five of my list. Allisin Riot and Jessy Knuckles Pinz & Needlez. Their work has been some of my favorite to watch. A few hick ups here and there but they have heart, they have spunk and they have the will. And I hope they go far…… Fair warning girls. Soon you will be going up against my Number 1 pick for this list.
4. From Season 6 and 7 Duffy Fortner: This lady of the ink was a blast to watch in season 7. Her tattoos were fun to look at and she has the skills to walk with some of the best in Ink Master History.
3. From Season 8: Gian Karle…… little dude was weird. But in the best way possible. His words were backed up buy his skill with the needle. He met each challenge presented to him. He was the runner up in this season and I feel like they need to have another Team Peck vs Team Nunez again sometime…. Or Team Peck, Vs Team Navarro Vs Team Nunez…. call it Ink Master Civil War.
2. From Season 1 and 7: James Vaughn: This guy was clever to watch and one hell of a tattooer. His presence in the house was just a breathe of peace the house needed. But in the end his choice not to leave his safe zone in the finale killed his chance to win.
1..From Season 1 and 9:….Returning next episode. The Runner up in season 1, host of the show Tattoo Nightmares, and one of the sickest tattooer this competition has ever seen. (I think he was cheated out of the title in season 1) TOMMY HELM. With only one weak tattoo the entire season despite the fact he can show more styles and not flinch. Tommy is the strongest returning contestant. I can not wait to see the faces on the other shops faces when he comes in.
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