interview with Anrijs Straume | dark realism style | uk 02/11/2017
Hello Anrijs Straume, thank you so much for
taking some the time to answer some questions for our readers.Please
start by telling us something about yourself and what inspired you
to start tattooing?
Since I can remember I was always into drawing. I have still lot of
comics I used to draw as a kid, but my biggest influences were
metal/alternative music, I always wanted to get tattoos. Band
members always had a lot of tattoos and I thought it looked so cool.
I started drawing lot of metal band logos, lead singer's tattoos and
some artwork I’ve seen on their cd covers. I was drawing tons of
stuff I would love to get tattooed on myself, after I started to
getting them on myself I felt in love with tattoos more then ever -
That’s when I thought that it would be great to start tattooing. Was
dreaming about it all the time for few more years, I couldn't even
imagine how it could turn out.
Q: Your tattoo style is really unique, it probably took you
some time to figure out what kind of style would be enough
interesting to express your creativity.
A: I think anything anyone creates is an art. Even when I just
started, I still tried to create something fresh for every customer,
I also had a lot of sketches with my own created characters. It took
me good 5-6 years of tattooing experience and trying many, many
techniques/styles to find what suits to me the best.
Q: How long are you into the world of professional
tattooing?
A: I started tattooing in 2008. That wasn't really professional or
anything. I save up some money for machine and stuff and started
tattooing from home. More like a hobby, few times a month I did some
small tattoos on friends. Never ever I could even dream that one day
I will be able to do good quality tattoos like in some tattoo
magazines. It wasn't easy with no knowledge and no one to help and
it wasn't right the way how I started, but that was my only option
at that time. Later on I realized It can't continue like that and I
was searching some studios to finally get some real experience and
knowledge in tattooing. I manage to get apprenticeship in 2009 and I
would say I started tattooing around 2010 working in a studio.
Q: Your style sets you apart from many artists out there.
All of your designs are unique, even portraits which usually are
expected to look as real as possible but you, have a special way to
create something new. You call your style "Dark Trash Realism" give
me a little description.
A: I was always a huge fan of horror art. I love ghost stories,
horror movies, atmospheric dark music and Photography. I try to put
some of those feelings in my tattoos. I came up with it around 5
years ago, I was learning new techniques, more black and gray type
of work with high contrasts. Experimenting with new approach on my
designs and trying new things, somehow a mix of million things made
something like that. I realized I had never seen anyone doing the
mix of this together. I fell in love with the way I could see that
feeling I was looking for in my artworks. That's when it clicked and
I continued to develop this style further.
I realized and started to see more often that many other artists are
inspired and start using some of my artwork motives/signatures for
their tattoos and drawings. Customers and artists started to call it
- Anrijs Style or some other weird names, so I wanted to name it
myself, so that there would be real name for that style. I decided
to name it - Dark Trash Realism. Dark - for more dark atmospheric
feel in the designs rather than just Horror style. Trash - I like to
do work messy/sketchy, dirty. Realism - as I use photo references
for most of my work.
Q: Famous characters, singers etc
are part of your portfolio but there is that a bit dark note in each
of them. How much the human nature is inspiring to be marked on
skin? Almost all of us have a bit of negativity in sometimes maybe
it's better to confront it? At least it look dope on the skin for
sure! :)
A: Us humans are the worst of the kind of evil in this world anyway,
doesn't even need to be horror style or with horns to see that. I
try not to put any huge story or any negative energy to my tattoos.
I see characters I crate as Demons, but more like fantasy or from
other dimension.
Q: How much rebellion is necessary for creating good art?
Did you feel influenced by someone?
A: When I first started tattooing then yes. I had lot of artists who
were really big influences in my work - Tim Burton, Joshua Carlton,
Tommy Lee Wendtner, Buena Vista Tattoo Club, Eckel, Nikko Hurtado
and many many more. Everything is influence to me. Music, movies,
stories, memories, thoughts all artists around the world. Everything
what I've seen and experienced is making everyday decisions now and
same goes in art. it's just everything and from everywhere.
Q: I love every single tattoo you did, I don't even think I
have a favorite one. I can only imagine how much time takes to
develop the basic ideas to final one with the clients - I bet they
all have trust in you that they will have some awesome design at the
end, tell me more about the making process. Do you first draw some
sketches?
A: Most of my clients already know what character/person they want
to get tattooed and they send me some ideas before. I usually check
for some references myself too, to make sure I can find the best
reference. I work with portrait tattoos most of the time. I don't
draw the whole design, I print out references and sketch what I have
on my mind right away. I add elements I use + some lettering what
goes together. Then I always send the sketch to my customer, so they
can have a look. Sometimes they
don't like it and ask for some changes. I always try to be open
minded to any changes as it's going on their skin not mine. But
after we agree on the design, most of the work
(textures/background/details etc..) I do straight on the skin. Some
designs can take up to 10+ hours to prepare from start. Talking
about the ideas, finding the references, drawing some sketches,
check with customer, more sketching and sometimes even start it all
over from nothing.
Q: You can bring the truest, most recognizable note in
someone's personality on the skin. What kind of personality traits
are your favorite to tattoo?
A: I like tattooing characters I've seen myself from movies or tv
shows. I have a lot ides and it's easy to find the good references.
sometimes I get asked to do characters that I've never heard in my
life. That makes it little harder as I don't really know where to
start and It can feel like I'm tattooing just portrait of someone's
family member. With no background or no idea what photos will show
strongest facial features.
- Would you draw a portrait of yourself? :)
I would draw lot's of portraits of myself and everyone else if I had
time for it. I already tattooed once portrait of myself on other
artist. I really inspired Her in her tattoo journey and she wanted
to get my portrait tattooed on her in my signature style. That was
really fun tattoo, I really hope to do few more of them in near
future.
Q: Brilliant dark shadows and highlights, I really love your
tattoo technique, very bold. All black & gray, have you ever thought
to try some color inks?
A: Actually for the first 4-5 years of me tattooing I did mainly
color work. My favorite tattoo styles were - cartoon and new school
back then, I was really pushing that. I remember I really didn't
like black and gray tattoos and I was thinking why would anyone have
black and gray tattoos when it's not 80's anymore and we can have
all these awesome colors. Right now I really love black and gray
work. I don't think I will do full color designs in near future, but
I have few cool ideas to include color for some of my work.
Q: Keeping up a busy schedule is hard, how do you manage the
appointments? How long clients usually wait?
A: I try to take only 3-4 months of appointments at the time. It
gives me little more freedom to plan my time around and for
customers shorter waiting times. Usually I just post on my social
media what day I will be taking new bookings and then everyone who
is interested can email me. I try my best to get all of them in.
Sometimes customers can book in with me in 1-2 week time, if they
email me in right time. Other times customers can be waiting more
then a year if they miss few times to email me on a day I take
bookings. Instagram - www.instagram.com/anrijsstraume email -
Anrijsstraume@gmail.com
Q: You already created a very interesting, recognizable
style, I bet everyone who sees some photo of your tattoo work,
immediately knows that's your work, no need of description ;) any
thoughts on maybe doing something different? Or you would like to
stick with this?
A: I have lot of interesting concepts, ideas on my mind what will be
different from what I mostly do, but I don't want to do mega changes
over night. I think my art changes all the time and I definitely
will want to push it further and make something more.
Q: I don't think you have too much free
time but if you do, I think you will be doing some oil on canvas
masterpieces...any other mediums outside tattooing? :)
A: I don't really do any art on other mediums. I used just to draw a
lot on the paper and paint with some watercolors, but I haven't
really worked on any other mediums, then paper or skin. I would love
to try something more, but at the moment all my time goes to prepare
everything for tattoo customers and few side projects.
Q: Every day new clients and some old coming back for
another tattoo, every reaction from them is one more proof of your
dedication. What reaction from them makes you love your work even
more? Even when the schedule looks crazy?
A: It blows my mind that people want to get tattooed by me and are
willing to travel from different cities and even countries for that.
I work in private studio now and It's really special every day when
costumer comes specially to get one of my creations on their skin. I
love meeting them all, spending day with customers, hearing their
stories about life, job and other interesting stuff. I just love
when they are happy to carry my art around the world. I wish I could
tattoo everyone who wants to get tattoo from me, but unfortunately I
do run out of time to get everyone in.
Q: Any motivational words for those who would like to try
themselves in this job?
A: If anyone feel like - I could try tattooing, then it's not for
you. You need to know that's the only thing in the world what you
want to do and - GO FOR IT! Good luck for everyone in this journey!
It's fun and It's hard work. Never stop learning.