Ink Master interview: Sparks opens up on elimination, DJ Tambe’s decision, more

Losing Chris Sparks on Ink Master season 10 Tuesday night was a bummer, and that’s putting it mildly. He was one of the super-talented artists who made it onto the show after winning on Ink Master: Angels, and it felt like he a lot to give any of the coaches. Unfortunately, trouble started to pop up in episode 2 between him and his mentor DJ Tambe, and on Tuesday night he was at DJ’s mercy as he controlled the future of his team. Basically, the moment that we heard about that twist we were worried for his future.

So what did Sparks had to say about going home, about DJ, and about whether or not he’d want to come back? We touch on all of that in the latest installment of our weekly exit interview.

CarterMatt – Did you feel like there was a lot of pressure on you coming in after winning Ink Master: Angels?

Sparks – I honestly tried to not think about angels at all. i didn’t want that self pressure, so it was easier to just focus on everything else going on.

From the get-go why did DJ appeal to you as a mentor?

DJ and Josh Payne are two of the strongest illustrative artists in the industry in my opinion. I figured I could learn a thing or two being on team DJ.

Was there any point where you started to realize that things just weren’t working with you and DJ?

I was noticing all the subtle things like not really speaking to me as much or focusing more on other team members, [giving] short answers. it was clear to me during the maze challenge I was in trouble.

From the moment that you learned that the Masters were eliminating this week, did you think you were in danger?

I honestly already had my bags already packed, I was expecting it. We as a team knew. You don’t tell a coach ‘F-you’ and expect to stay no matter skill level.

If you had a different coach, do you still think you’d be there?

I think I would be there a little longer with a different coach, but season ten has some amazing heavy hitting tattooers, so I don’t know how much longer I would have made it.

What did you enjoy about being a part of the show?

I absolutely enjoyed my time filming, from the tattooers to the staff even down to the assistant helpers. Everyone was wonderful! I enjoyed hearing the other tattooers’ life experiences and stories. it was incredibly unique to say the least!

As someone who’s done a lot of Star Wars tattoos outside of the show, were you secretly hoping for a Star Wars challenge so you could destroy everyone?

OF COURSE! Every day i was hoping to hear Star Wars pop up, especially with all the new films and whatnot haha. Anything pop culture I would have been fine with, especially [since] connecting with the canvas on a nerd level always makes the tattoo ten times more relaxing.

Would you go back if given a chance?

I would go back, my wife may not wanna hear that haha but yeah I think I’d give it another shot and approach it a little differently.

Related – Read our most-recent Ink Master episode review

Want more from Sparks?

You can see more of his tattoos, and also learn how to contact him, by visiting his Instagram page.

Also, you can like CarterMatt on Facebook now if you want to get some additional Ink Master updates! (Photo: Paramount Network.)