East Lansing’s Splash of Color Tattoo and Piercing Studio welcomed Kyle Dunbar from Seasons 3 and 4 of Ink Master into their business this week for a guest appearance.
According to Splash of Color Owner Kris Lachance, Dunbar has been tattooing for interested customers during his short visit to the shop that began on Sept. 3 and runs until Sept. 5.
Originally from Flint, Mich., Dunbar said he is now traveling the country and making the most of the popularity he gained from being on the show. While visiting fans and old friends at tattoo parlors across the world, East Lansing was on his list of stops.
“Being local, I’ve always wanted to come and check out the shop (Splash of Color),” Dunbar said.
Dunbar’s interest in the popular East Lansing tattoo shop not only stems from his connection to Michigan, but from his relationship with Lachance.
According to Lachance, she and Dunbar have known each other for about 15 years, after working similar conventions and shows together in the past.
“We feel very privileged that we are one of the stops that he’s choosing to make while he’s traveling,” Lachance said.
For Splash of Color, Dunbar’s visit simply feels like a part of their extended family just coming to hang out, according to Lachance.
“He’s a very talented artist and just a really cool guy,” she said.
On the SPIKE TV series Ink Master where Dunbar became recognized for his work, multiple tattoo artists compete in pursuit of winning the title of Ink Master, a feature in Inked Magazine, and the grand prize of $100,000. The participants compete in challenges and projects that test their tattooing abilities and showcase their individual talents.
Out of the 18 other contestants who appeared in Season 3, Dunbar came in fourth place. He also returned for the following season after being voted back for another chance by his fans.
“It’s kind of like a "Survivor" of tattoo artists,” Lachance said.
Looking back on his experiences on Ink Master, Dunbar said he loved being on the show even though the time constraints and strict rules associated with each challenge were extremely stressful.
While continuing to visit friends he made during the past seven years of tattooing on the road, Dunbar said he really enjoys tattooing images of surrealism.
He said realistic imagery can be captured by taking a photo, so it makes sense for him to take realism and bring it to a state where it can exist in the imagination.
“The goal, when the viewer sees my tattoo, is to flip their world upside down for a second and make them have to rethink things,” Dunbar said.
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