Meet Ruslan Millinhton | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ruslan Millinhton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruslan, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success in the tattoo industry is style and uniqueness. I believe that’s what truly makes you stand out to clients and helps you feel confident as a professional. Whatever you do—whether it’s tattooing or anything else—you have to give yourself to it fully, with maximum responsibility and attention to detail.

It was exactly the moment when I started using a unique combination of grey and pink tones in my tattoos that I became more recognized and popular. That color approach became my visual signature and set me apart from other artists.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a tattoo artist for over 10 years now. These years haven’t been easy — but they’ve been incredibly exciting and full of growth. Once I learned the basics, I pushed myself to improve both the quality of my work and the uniqueness of my style.

I traveled to tattoo conventions, took part in competitions, and even won awards. Then I’d return home, reflect, and come up with something new. That was the cycle — every year brought new challenges and creative breakthroughs.

Over time, I discovered that grey and pink tones truly spoke to me — and to others. They became the foundation of my tattoo designs and my artistic identity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To be honest, I’m still pretty new to this city — I’ve only lived here for about a year. But even in that short time, I’ve found some places that I really enjoy and would love to share with a friend.

I’d definitely start with a walk through Uptown (Charlotte’s downtown) — it’s incredibly beautiful, especially in the evenings. The skyline, the vibe, the parks — it just feels alive.

I also really like the South End area — it’s full of cool cafes, breweries, art, and good energy. It’s a great place to just hang out and explore.

And if the weather’s nice, I’d go for a camping trip or a chill weekend at Lake Norman. It’s peaceful, and a great contrast to the city. Being in nature helps me reset and get inspired again.

I’m still discovering Charlotte, but I already feel there’s a lot of personality and hidden gems here. I’d just enjoy the journey with my friend — exploring together.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my mom, who supported me when I first got interested in tattooing. Her belief in me meant a lot at such an early stage. I also want to thank my friend, a tattoo artist, who helped me with the basics and introduced me to the tattoo studio where I got my first job. These were very important moments for me — I was only around 16 to 18 years old, and that support helped shape my future.

Website: https://millinhtontattoo.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millington_tattoo

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Youtube: https://youtube.com/@millington_tattoo?si=NewBQG2zfyFoDlnl