Nice Kicks: Out of all of your Air Jordan/Michael Jordan tattoos, which one are you most proud of?
Chris: Other than my Air Jordan 11s, I think the Air Jordan 1s came out the best; the stitching and the airholes in the front. It even has the Air Jordan wings logo. I just really like all of the details on the shoe.
Nice Kicks: Is that the one tattoo you get the most compliments from? If not, which tattoo intrigues onlookers the most?
Chris: The Air Jordan 13 is the one they talk about the most. I don’t know why. Maybe, it’s the hologram in the back because if you actually look at it, it’s green.
Nice Kicks: There is no denying your love for Michael Jordan’s shoes. Yet, if you had to get a tattoo of another player’s signature line, which player and what shoe would it be?
Chris: Penny. It would have to be the Foams. If I had to do this with another sneaker, it would have to be the Foams. That would be the only signature line you can do; Penny 1s, Penny 2s, etc. Foams would look crazy! If you put out Foams on the same day as a Jordan, it’s going to give Air Jordans some competition. In my opinion, if you put out a pair of Air Jordan 11s and some Foams on the same day, it’s going to be a heartbreaker.
“If nobody else had tattoos, I would still be into tattoos. If nobody was collecting sneakers, I would still be into sneakers. It’s not just a fad to me. It’s a lifestyle.”– Chris Washington |
Nice Kicks: Obviously, it’s hard to top your sneaker tattoo art. Have you seen tattoos on others that have shocked you in regards to sneakers?
Chris: I’ve seen Jumpman signs. I also saw a Mars Blackmon tattoo. After I got mine done, I posted them on Twitter and people started to send me pics of their tattoos. I sent them to @Jumpman23. I got a comment from them actually. They said my Jordan tattoos was the most impressive they’ve seen.
Nice Kicks: Sneakers and ink are two totally different entities, but it seems you have found a way to intertwine both. In your eyes, what is the correlation between the two?
Chris: It can’t be a part-time of job of either. If you’re a sneakerhead, you’re a sneakerhead full time. If you like ink and you’re doing collages, then it’s a full-time job. You’re not just doing it because everybody else is doing it. If nobody else had tattoos, I would still be into tattoos. If nobody was collecting sneakers, I would still be into sneakers. It’s not just a fad to me, it’s a lifestyle. I’ll go out and look at a shirt in a store, and I’ll think of a pair of sneakers off top. If I had a chance to bring back sneakers, I wouldn’t bring back the sneakers they’re bringing back now. I would bring back different sneakers. I would bring back the “Laney” 14s (Varsity Royal/Black-White). I can’t wait for those to come back out. Those are the best. I remember, I was in 7th grade when those came out. I couldn’t wait for the “Carolina” 9s to come out earlier this year.
Nice Kicks: So, what is your next project pertaining to tattoos? Is there a special tattoo you’re feigning for or do you feel you have enough?
Chris: I really havent put much thought into it. If I could get three more images it would a pic of Jordan hitting the jump shot in Cleveland over Ehlo, the one with him standing on the table throwing up six fingers, or I would get him rocking the baby when he was in the dunk contest with the gold chain on. Do you know what my real dream is? People may say I’m crazy. If I can meet Jordan and have him sign my leg, I’ll get it tatted on me. That’s what I really want. I have space on my leg where I would love for him to take a Sharpie marker and sign it. Then I’ll get it tatted. Also, I would love to be in a Jordan commercial. They don’t even have to star me. Just have a shot of my leg, and if I know it’s me, then I’m good.
Click here to check out additional shots of Washington’s tattoos and pics of his sneaker collection.
