interview with electric linda Attitude tattoo| oslo, norway 11/05/2017
Hello Linda! Thanks so much for taking the time
to answer some questions for our magazine. It's always a pleasure to
interview a girl who is so creative like you! You're a huge
inspiration! Looking at your impressive portfolio, makes me think
that you're very dedicated artist, in love with your job. I bet your
tattoo journey is your best story to tell!
Q: How it all started? What made you to become a tattoo
artist?
A: When I was a teenager, I used to doodle art on my desk while
talking on the phone or listening to music. My mom said the drawings
looked like tattoos, like I was tattooing the desk. She then said I
should become a tattoo artist, cause she really wanted me to have a
artistic profession, and not get stuck in a job I never would really
appreciate. My mom is an artist her self, so I guess I got some
artistic genes from her.
Q: Seeing some of your tattoo masterpieces, makes me think
that your talent played a big role when it comes to professional
tattooing. Was it hard to learn some of the basic techniques while
you were starting? Did you have anyone to guide you?
A: I personally think that in tattooing, talent has somewhat of a
big role, it's like in music, either you have a gift or you don't.
But you don't need to be a born natural. As long as you have SOME
talent, you have the potential to be anything you set your mind to.
It's all about prioritizing and focusing on the stuff you want to
improve. Nothing is given for free. You have to work hard. As an
apprentice, I was given a machine and the basic info on how
tattooing works, but I learned the techniques by trying them out
myself.
Q: You do almost all kinds of styles, do you have any
favorite?
A: I'm most comfortable with color realism, but I also like new
school, fine art, and geometric or other modern effects. I have been
drawing portraits since I was very young, so photo realism comes
very natural to me. But I love stretching outside of my comfort
zone. It drives me to expand and keep growing artistically. I fear
the day that I settle down with my own limitations and stop
evolving. I hope it never happens.
Q: Big, beautiful, color back pieces are definitely my
favorite designs in your portfolio. How many sessions usually take
to finish a big tattoo? Do you collaborate with your clients? Guide me a bit in the tattoo process.
A: When it comes to the designs, sometimes the clients are very
specific and have their own list of thing they want, and I try to
give them exactly what they want. But I tell them if there is
something I won't do, or don't think will look good and so on. Some
clients just give me a word, a situation, or a feeling to work with,
and give me the freedom to make whatever I want from that. I always
need one word from them, I can't make art without a client's
approval. Usually when I do, let's say an upper half sleeve about an
A4 size, I usually tattoo the whole thing in one long session. But
most of the times I like having one more session, like 3 hours after
a moth or so to exaggerate the contrasts and details. I work very
fast and effective. I usually make a palm size black&grey portrait
in 1 hour. Colors take longer of course. On cover ups I spend more
sessions on it, because it usually needs 2-3 layers of ink to get
the solid look. A full backpiece takes me about 25 hours, depending
on the clients skin, details, colors and more...
Q: After seeing some of your cover up tattoo works, I can
say (no doubt) that you're my favorite artist when it comes to this
type of work! As far, as I'm concerned covering an old tattoo isn't
an easy process, even the clients can be a bit concerned that the
outcome won't be as impressive as a tattoo done on a "clean" skin, but, you do
some unbelievable job! How much patience and creative freedom you
feel you have when it comes to this type of work? Is it hard to
cover up old tattoos? Any limitations?
A: I'm a very optimistic girl. I do all my cover ups with very big
optimism. I prefer to make them as light as I can, I add more
darkness later if it needs it, instead of making it dark from the
beginning. I also cover up in several layers, with the longest time
healing as possible between layers, so I can keep covering several
times, and finally add the extra contrasts and details. This process
needs patience, both from me and the clients. The older the old
tattoo is, the better, because then it has settled deep in the skin,
and the new will be more visible on top. There are some limitations
of course, the new tattoo always needs to be a little bit bigger
than the old, it also needs to be a little darker most places, and
the more clutter, the better. Big, light, soft, solid colors are not
recommended.
Q: Tattooing is a very creative job... Is it possible to be constantly creative? Did
you ever felt stuck a little?
A: Yes, right on point. Very few people see that. It's like being a
musician doing live shows every day, but just by improvising every
show, never repeating or copying from the days before. It is hard
work, but you just have to keep it up. Every day cannot be a super
great day, but at least we keep trying. I have felt stuck sometimes,
but then a client comes in with a cool idea, and my mind goes off
creating so many ideas I almost can't stop. It is also important to
focus on other things sometimes, to rest a little from tattooing,
just being with family and friends, traveling, playing with a hobby
or working out (which I never do, though I really should).
Q: What are some of the other art mediums you work outside
tattooing?
A: Outside of tattooing, I like playing around with digital art,
making and editing videos, producing music, and lots more. I am very
energetic, I love having several hobbies, and I jump from one to
another very fast. These have all been hobbies since I was very
young, but they all show up in periods in life, seasonal or
emotional. I love learning new things, but there are so many new
things popping up, that I feel like I never have the time to really
focus on one thing at the time. I also have a family, so I need to
focus on them as well, even though my creative thoughts are in my
head all of the time. It's a balance thing, I guess.
Q: Norway... one of the most beautiful countries in the
world with so much history and art! That's your home! : ) How is the
tattoo scene in Norway? Do you think is evolving?
A: The tattoo scene in Norway is alright, I guess. I have been fully
booked long ahead in all of my years tattooing. Maybe because I
specialize, and people travel from every corner of the country to
get tattooed. I'm happy that my clients do their research and are
willing to wait. We live in one of the richest and safest countries
in the world, so I'm very happy here. It can be very cold, the
winters are snowy and long, but the summers feel like tropical
dreams, so I think it's good to have that contrast. It makes you
appreciate the good things, the sunlight, birds singing and all that
stuff ;) Norwegians are somewhat closed up and unsocial during
winter like bears, but when spring comes, they all come out of their
caves smiling and being social again.
Q: You're part of the awesome tattoo studio "Attitude
Tattoo" in Oslo. I've seen many great works from all the artists
working there. You guys are a really nice crew! My honest
compliments!! How much the team work is beneficial for one tattoo
artist in order to grow more artistically?
A: My shop, my baby, Attitude Tattoo Studio, I opened in 2008, after
tattooing for 8 years already. Now my boyfriend owns and runs it,
and I focus on tattooing and being a mentor for my crew. The crew is
so important, I like that we all have different styles, but still we
help each other, by commenting, criticizing and advising each other.
We are like a big happy family and best friends, we care so much
about one another.
Q: As a professional tattoo artist, what are some of your
recommendations to the new artists out there?
A: I have been tattooing for 17 years, I have won over 50
international tattoo awards. This is my passion, it just took over
my life. Tattooing is not a day job, it is a lifestyle. If you are
dedicated to this, set your goals, and just work hard. You need to
sacrifice some things in life. So prioritize the important stuff,
and leave the rest. Listen to your mentor. If you don't have one,
that should be your first priority. Get one. And don't make any
tattoos before you have an apprenticeship at a professional tattoo
shop with a great mentor who can teach you everything you need to
know. Good luck!
Link to website: www.electriclinda.net
ATTITUDE TATTOO STUDIO
Pilestredet 47A, 0350 Oslo
Tlf 22201313
www.attitude.no
booking: post@attitude.no
facebook.com/electriclindatattoo
facebook.com/attitudetattoostudio