interview with tattoo artist Torsten Malm
Hello Torsten Malm!
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself and
your background. How it all started?
I was working on my PhD in mathematics at Aalto University in
Finland when my girlfriend (now wife) Kätlin was learning to become
a special effects makeup artist. She started drawing a lot to
improve and pushed me to do it with her. At first I hated drawing,
but the more I drew, the more I started to love it. I had a
completely new passion for art thanks to her.
Q: What kept you motivated?
A: We started on our own, but
Jari Kajaste was our
mentor who helped us learn the basics. He saw potential in us and
decided to take us under his wing. Seeing other artists creating
better and better work kept me motivated. I wanted to learn as much
as it took to get on their level. I definitely knew that I needed to
keep moving around the world to learn even more. This hunger for
knowledge still remains and I am constantly trying to improve.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: Definitely nature and basically all types of art but specially in
a realistic key inspire me. If I had to choose some forms of art,
then I would say classical oil paintings, realistic tattoos, and
photography inspire me the most. I respect all artists who are
serious about their art and I have numerous artists I look up to,
but if I would have to name someone, I would say painter Cesar
Santos, and tattoo artists Andrey Kolbasin,
Dmitriy Samohin,
and my wife Kätlin Malm. Obviously there are a million more artists
I look up to, and always will, but it is impossible to mention
everybody in this interview.
Q: How long took you to gain confidence?
A: I have always
tried to just do my best and a certain amount of insecurity will
always remain I hope. I have now just become more comfortable with
what I’m doing, rather than being overly confident in everything
that I tattoo. I feel that it isn’t a good approach if one feels too
confident in their work and feels like they can’t learn anything
new.
Q: Do you remember the first tattoo you did?
A:
My first tattoo was for free. I remember that my hands were shaking
more than ever. It was definitely a scary experience, because I was
second guessing myself the whole time. That feeling - second
guessing myself - was the main feeling for the next few years. I am
more confident now, because I have grown to become comfortable in
what I do. Now it is more about the art rather than techniques. I
have a better understanding of who I actually am as an artist and
in which direction I’m moving.
Q: How would you call your style?
A: If I had to, I would label it as color realism, but I would
rather keep it free from labels to let my style develop naturally.
Right now I’m just focusing on creating the best pieces I can. And I
try to take on only those projects that actually interest me as an
artist. That way I can develop my style along the way.
Q: The Baltic countries are a huge inspiration. How is the tattoo scene there, do you see progress?
Q: I don’t know much about the Baltic scene because I have a really
specific clientele (most people are traveling here from other
countries), but I have seen a lot of extremely talented artists
entering the scene, or already working for a longer period of time.
It definitely keeps me motivated as a young artist to be up to par,
because I have been doing this for only five years. I have a feeling
that the clientele in the Baltic area is starting to get more
educated and they are more interested in getting a quality piece,
rather than a cheap price tattoo.
Q: What do you like the most about being a tattoo artist?
A: I’d say the best part is that I get to do what I enjoy and I get
to do it with my wife. There are many challenging parts too. I would
have to say that because we have our own studio, instead of renting
a chair at someone’s studio, we have more challenges along the way.
We never know what the future holds, but that goes for most
entrepreneurs. Even if there are some challenges I wouldn't change
anything.
Q: You work with your beautiful wife in your studio in Talin.
How much the team work is helping you both to grow artistically? Do
you collaborate together sometimes?
A: I love working with my wife in Tallinn, I think it is one of our
strengths because it helps us both to grow a lot. We’re always
discussing tattoos we have done, or new ideas that we would like to
tattoo. We have always jokingly said that we share a brain. We have
done collaboration pieces and we also have a few projects in
progress right now. For example, we’re doing a charity tattoo, all
of the proceeds are donated to Sea Shepherd Global.
Q: What would you do differently if you were starting today?
A: I wouldn’t change anything. All I have been through has helped me
to get to the point where I am now. Even if some of the experiences
weren’t as positive, back then I still learned something from those
moments. Those situations helped me avoid similar situations in the
future and taught me what to do if I’m ever in a similar situation
again.