Big Brain’s

Artists

Since 2000

Jump to a TATTOO Artist

Brandon Adams

Bryan Mozjesik

Dominic Holmes

Jason Morrow

Jed Potter

Josephine Linhart

Justin Kuhne

Lenny Renken

Jump to a Piercer

Clayton Pratt

Dave Brown

Nikki Bernhardt

TATTOO Artists

BRYAN MOZJESIK

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How did you get into tattooing?

I started tattooing while I was in the army stationed in Germany.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up a little outside of Pittsburgh, PA.

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

I enjoy doing things in an illustrative type of style. 

What are some of your artistic influences?

Influences would be Robt Williams, Dali God Geiger, Santa Claus, and Scooby Doo Caravaggio.

What was the first tattoo you received?

My first tattoo was a little fly on my left arm. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

When searching for ideas, omit the word “tattoo” from your search. Do things as big as possible – you only get to do it once. 

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

Blacksmithing, hunting, shooting, having adventures with my kids. 

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

 Too inappropriate to tell on the internet, come ask me in person. 

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

It’s gone from a small niche community to a billion dollar industry.

What days are you at the shop?

Tuesday through Friday from noon until 9pm and Saturday from noon until 8pm. 

Dominic Holmes

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How did you get into tattooing?

I wanted to do something with art. I didn’t want to be a graphic Designer. I didn’t want to wear a suit and a tie.

Where did you grow up?

I lived in Bellevue, NE until 12 years old. Then moved to Omaha, NE.  

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

Tattooing in the Japanese style and I also really enjoy black and grey realism. 

What are some of your artistic influences?

Oil painters, graffiti artists, and Japanese tattooing.

What was the first tattoo you received?

Tattoo I did myself. I drew it on in a mirror because it was on my chest. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

Take advice from the artist you choose and choose wisely. Do research. 

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

I like acrylic and oil painting, skateboarding, bowling, muay thai kickboxing and jiu jitsu. 

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

You have to get tattooed by me for the funny stories.  

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

Social media has made it easier to gather info, and reach clients further away. 

What days are you at the shop?

Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday from noon to 9pm. 

BRANDON ADAMS

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How did you get into tattooing?

I started in Panama City Beach, Florida at a shop called Mango Beach Tattoo. My foot in the door was being a counter guy and that eventually led to a two year apprenticeship under my mentor Ken Reed.

Where did you grow up?

My father had a job growing up that moved us every 1-3 years but the majority of my upbringing was spent all over the state of Florida. Spent half a year of middle school and 9th grade in Arkansas and then finished high school in New Mexico.

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

My favorite and most preferred styles are traditional and neo-traditional. Whether it be in color or black work the simple illustrations and bold designs are classic and timeless.

What are some of your artistic influences?

My artistic influences within tattooing are limitless but I must note Samuel Briganti, Jacob Doney, Paul Dobleman, Xam, Matt Cannon & Britton McFetridge.

What was the first tattoo you received?

A religious heart on my upper right arm.

What advice would you give a potential client?

Pick an artist that showcases strength in the style your after. The art we share via the internet & social media offers insight into the style we enjoy the most. Have a solid idea of what you want and where you want it. Bring reference to help you illustrate what your after. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Giving us a general idea and then cutting us loose is always going to yield the best result.

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

I’m a family man so any adventures or activities with my wife and kids take priority. Solo activities would include painting, motorcycles and hopefully soon…a podcast!

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

I got plenty…so if you get tattooed by me just ask and I’ll probably talk your ear off.

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

The craft is in a constant state of evolution. I came into the game just before a big boom in innovations to the tools we use daily. For a gear junkie like me it was both overwhelming and perfect. From the customers perspective I’d say the biggest changes have been in accessibility and abundance. Gone are the days of road trips and looking through magazines and physical portfolios to find great tattooers.

What days are you at the shop?

I work Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-10pm

Lenny Renken

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How did you get into tattooing?

I was working as a cable technician at my friend’s tattoo shop. He convinced me to quit my job and take up tattooing. 

Where did you grow up?

Old Ridge, Nebraska 

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

Japanese and any black and grey pieces. 

What are some of your artistic influences?

My highschool art teacher was my biggest influence. He taught me everything I know and use daily.

What was the first tattoo you received?

A crappy tribal piece on my ankle at 15 years old done at a party. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

Give your artist your idea and let them do the rest. Give them freedom to make the piece better.

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

Everything. I bowl, hunt, coach baseball, and do Jujustiu 

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

 Get tattooed by me and I’ll tell you stories. 

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

The amount of tattooers has changed. The clientele has changed. People watch a show about tattooing and think they know it all. 

What days are you at the shop?

Monday and Tuesday from noon until 5pm and Thursday and Friday from noon until 9pm. 

JED POTTER

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How did you get into tattooing?

I was fortunate enough to start here at Big Brain as a low man on the totem pole and I was given an opportunity to work my way up to a full time tattooer.

Where did you grow up?

New Orleans, Louisiana 

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

Anything with bold lines and illustrative. 

What are some of your artistic influences?

My badass coworkers. 

What was the first tattoo you received?

A portrait of a New Orleans jazz musician, Steamboat Willy.

What advice would you give a potential client?

Don’t rush on a design, you have forever to look at it. 

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

Anything nature related. 

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

 I’ll tell you in person. 

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

The type of client has changed, more and more people of every age and walk of life.

What days are you at the shop?

Every other Thursday from noon until 10pm and Friday through Monday from noon until 10pm.

Jason Morrow

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How did you get into tattooing?

I did a traditional apprenticeship in Austin Texas in 1993/1994. I came to Big Brain in 2004/2005.

Where did you grow up?

Houston, Texas

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

Black and grey portraits, neotraditional, Japanese, and Biomech.  

What are some of your artistic influences?

Too many to even say. 

What was the first tattoo you received?

A skull from a biker shop in Texas. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

Do your homework. 

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

Spend time with family and play guitar. 

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

People are so sensitive nowadays I can not honestly answer this, it might hurt somebody’s feelings. 

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

People are more sensitive now. 

What days are you at the shop?

Monday through Friday from noon until 9pm. 

JUSTIN KUHNE

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How did you get into tattooing?

My father was an old school biker tattoo artist in the 80’s and 90’s. I first met him when I was 11, and knew then that I wanted to tattoo when I grew up. He passed away in 2006, and I inherited his tattoo equipment and began tattooing my legs. I worked in a couple local shops for 3 years until quitting tattooing and using my GI Bill to go to Metro Community College for Graphic Design. Half way through school, I began a new apprenticeship under Lenny Renken in 2011. I graduated with honors the summer of 2012, and have been tattooing full time at Big Brain since September of 2012. 

Where did you grow up?

I was a military brat and mostly grew up on an Air Force Base in Denver Colorado. That base was closed the summer of 1994, which is what brought me to the Omaha area. (I moved to Omaha on the day of the infamous OJ Simpson Bronco chase-Google it kids…) I lived in Minnesota for a little bit, before eventually coming back to Nebraska and graduating from Bellevue West in 1999. Joined the Army in hopes of more travel, but ended up stationed 200 miles away in Kansas, and returned to the area after leaving the service. 

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

I enjoy the old school traditional type tattoos, or using the tattoo designs that my dad had, and redrawing them to a more modern style. I also like color blends and heavy contrast black and grey designs. Lots of line work designs, I have fun making a design look more dynamic with a mix of line weights and tonal values. I also have an appreciation of typography, so I like drawing different custom lettering. 

What are some of your artistic influences?

Growing up I would draw Ninja Turtles, the animated X-Men from comics and Saturday morning cartoons. Todd McFarlane and Image Comics with titles like Spawn, The Maxx, and Pitt influenced my childhood. I’ve always admired train cars with well done graffiti, and surreal artists like Salvador Dali and MC Escher were some of the first pieces I remember seeing that amazed me. 

What was the first tattoo you received?

The VERY first one was an attempt to get my initials hand poked into my arm with a safety pin, but the girls’ mom busted in her room and kicked everyone out of the house. I walked around the last two years of high school with half of a “J” on my arm. That was covered up the day I turned 18. It was the late 90’s so Olde English was the jam at the time. I wanted mine to stand out though, so I added barbed wire going around my arm through the initials. That tattoo was done by Bill Furlong at Crash Tattoo in Papillion. I laugh now, and that tattoo has since been covered. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

Browse portfolios and look for things like line work control and consistency. Don’t come to your appointment on an empty stomach. A good nights sleep and staying hydrated will help your appointment go much smoother.  

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

I’m married and we have 3 boys at home, so anytime it’s nice enough I like to get out on the water and drop some fishing lines in with everyone. Camping is also something that I like to get out and do, just kind of hit the reset button from time to time. I’ve also gotten into smoking meats in the last few years or so. Pork shoulder and homemade bacon are my favorites to make. I can also be found at the local shooting range playing Cricket on a dart board target.  

What is the funniest tattoo related story you know?

My dad had a friend named Tim. Tim had “LUCIFER” tattooed on his forehead, but it was spelled wrong somehow, so he wore a Harley bandana all day long.  

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

The client base as expanded tremendously, and with that the corporate sharks are jumping in through as many avenues as possible. From selling sunscreens, healing lotions, numbing creams, there are more entities selling tattoo related items, without having any real tattoo experience. 

How has tattooing changed since you started tattooing?

It’s gone from a small niche community to a billion dollar industry.

What days are you at the shop?

I work Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-10pm

Josephine Linhart

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How did you get into tattooing?

I could never see myself doing a 9-5 office job. I always knew I wanted to do something with art that could impact others as well. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to learn this craft from my mentor Dominic Holmes and all of the other artists as well.

Where did you grow up?

Omaha, Nebraska

What are your favorite styles to tattoo?

My main goal is to one day be able to tattoo Japanese influenced designs and black and grey realism.

What are some of your artistic influences?

Mainly the artist I work around everyday but I also get inspiration from Japanese tattooing, Sailor Jerry designs, and artists I follow on social media.

What was the first tattoo you received?

I got my first tattoo by one of our artists, Brandon Adams. It was a wishbone done to represent my time in the art studio Kent Bellows art studio. That’s the only tattoo I have that has meaning, the rest just look cool.

What advice would you give a potential client?

Do your research. Figure out what artist you want that suits the style, where you want it at, how it looks when healed, etc…

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

I do acrylic paintings and pen drawings and murals from time to time. When I’m not doing more art I’m playing video games with friends.

What do you do for fun outside of tattooing?

Blacksmithing, hunting, shooting, having adventures with my kids. 

What days are you at the shop?

Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday

PIERCERS

Dave Brown

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How did you get into piercing?

Piercing kind of found me. I was unemployed and a friend of mine was working here and they were looking for a piercer. 

Where did you grow up?

Omaha, Nebraska

What are your favorite piercings to do?

Daith and ear flat

What are some of your motivations?

The thing that motivates me is providing for my family, creating long term clientele and teaching those who come behind me. 

What was the first piercing you received?

The first piercing I got was my nipples while the first piercing I did was a vertical labret.

What advice would you give a potential client?

Do your research, there are so many options in this town, find the person and find the place that fits your style. 

What do you do for fun outside of piercing?

I enjoy collecting vinyl records, golfing and traveling. 

What is the funniest piercing related story you know?

The funniest story I know involves two fingers, come ask me about.

How has piercing changed since you started?

Quality of jewelry, jewelry choices, technique, trends and loyalty. 

What days are you at the shop?

Friday-Monday, always subject to change. Please call the shop. 

Clayton Pratt

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How did you get into piercing?

I was never allowed to do anything modifying my body while at home. When I was in college I started coming in and I applied to be a piercing apprentice. 

Where did you grow up?

North of Fort Calhoun 

What are your favorite piercings to do?

I enjoy daith piercings and stacked lobes. 

What are some of your motivations?

To make people more comfortable with the bodys they live in.  

What was the first piercing you received?

I got both my traguses done by Dave. The first piercing I did was lobes. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

Make sure to eat a proper meal and hydrate before getting a piercing done.

What do you do for fun outside of piercing?

 I enjoy doing anything revolving around plants. 

How has piercing changed since you started?

 The piercing industry is constantly evolving. The jewelry, the tools, and techniques we have acquired over time. It’s nice to have a wealth of knowledge to reference both in educating ourselves and to aid in healing. 

What days are you at the shop?

Our schedule fluctuates, please call the shop to check. 

Nikki Bernhardt

How did you get into piercing?

I knew the right people and was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. 

Where did you grow up?

Omaha, Nebraska

What are your favorite piercings to do?

Conch

What are some of your motivations?

Being able to help people express themselves. 

What was the first piercing you received?

My first piercing I got was my earlobes and the first one I did was a nose. 

What advice would you give a potential client?

Listen to your piercer. 

What is the funniest piercing related story you know?

This isn’t a funny story but the most enjoyable was when a bachelorette party came in and they were the funniest and most enjoyable people. I want a group of friends like that. 

What do you do for fun outside of piercing?

Longboard or anything outside. 

What days are you at the shop?

Our schedule fluctuates, please call the shop to check. 

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Shop Hours

Sun - Thurs: 12pm - 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12on - 12am