interview with tattoo artist Glen Decker

  Hello Glen Decker! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself and how you got into tattooing? I can't really pin down where I got my start. I was first introduced to the world of tattoos at the age of 15 when my cousin showed me how to do sewing needle tattoos with indian ink he acquired in juvenile detention. My friend and I then tried making a machine. That did not work too well. At 16 a family member had come home from being away for many years. He was covered in a full body suit of tattoos. This planted the seed but it wasn't till the age of 22 when I got serious again about art by starting to draw again. At 25 my brother helped me out with some gear and a place to tattoo. By 26 I had a machine in my hand tattooing out of a trailor park. I have been doing professional tattoos for about 5 years.

Q: Do you have any favorite artists?
A: Yes I have so many friends in the industry now that keep me on the right path. Sometimes I have to make a trip to the Sacred Temple to clear my head and hang out with Jamie Mackay. An artist I look up to not only as an artist but on how to live right as a person. So many of my friends who are just living the lifestyle everyday. Saga Anderson who has taught me to focus on balancing tattooing with other forms of art that I do. Or Chiwon An and Will Woods who are always good to me. Just to name a few.

Q: Tattooing is a very creative work. How do you get inspired?
A: Painting is mostly what I do to get inspired. I am a realism artist so photography comes into play. However it is more of a tool than a source of inspiration.

Q: Why tattoo realism style?
A: I have tattooed in American & Japanese traditional style but realism is something I have been painting since I was a child. This makes it my genre of choice in tattooing. I now do realism exclusively.

Q: Do you remember when the fascination for this style first began?
A: Yes, my fascination with this style started very young. In my primary school days my friends and I would compete all the time on who could draw the best. This set the foundation for what I do today. I began private painting lessons for a while at the age of 10. This also helped very early on with sparking my interest.

Q: Any preferences when it comes ink brands?
A: Yes. Right now I am using a combination of Fusion, Eternal and a couple of Intenze inks. I have been using Fusion for years now. Ron Meyers is by far my favorite for black and grey though.

Q: Tell me about the creative process.
A: Even though I am appointments only I treat everything like a walk in. I design everything at the day of the tattoo session. Unless it is a larger tattoo like a sleeve or back piece. I then try to have a concept either in a drawing or using photoshop with a series of photos to give the client an idea of what I have planned.

Q: Is there any "dream" piece that it's still undone?
A: I am very lucky. All of my clients give me full creative control. This has allowed me to do whatever I want, all the time. I really want to do another Bob Marley portrait. It has been a while and I'm really looking forward to the next one. Also it would be great to do a Kurt Cobain portrait. It's been years since I have done one of those.

Q: How long do you usually work in the studio? Any deadlines?
A: I usually spend 2 or 3 hours designing before the session. There are never deadlines for me since I treat every appointment as if it was a walk in.

Q: Do you still have the same enthusiasm?
A: I have more enthusiasm now that ever. Even though I own a shop, most of my work has been done on the road for the last couple of years. This keeps me inspired. Canada has so many talented artists that you have to stay inspired to stay relevant.

Q: Improvment is everything. What's the next challenge?
A: I have been painting with water colors only for a few years now. I really want to bring my style of tattooing in that direction. I know I can learn a lot from making the effort to go this way. The challenge keeps me excited.

Q: Is being competitive good when it comes to progress? At least a competition with yourself? Sound challenging, ha?
A: I think being competitive is a good thany other forms of art. I really like to look at my work from the past and compare it to my recent tattoos. Just to be sure I am progressing.

Q: Getting a tattoo could be painful at times, especially on some extra sensitive parts of the body. How do you cheer up your clients?
A: I do a lot of memorial portraits. With that I get a lot of people getting their first and only tattoo. They seem nervous sometimes. I do however make an effort to explain the whole process in great detail for the client. That usually helps.

Q: What is the best lesson you've learned from your journey?
A: Art has always been my escape from the negative. It has taught me so much throughout my whole life. I think the biggest lesson is to appreciate the real things in your life. It has also shown me that hard work can really pay off. Only when that hard work is combined with the right choices though. Hard work alone does not guarantee success.

Q: Any advice?
A: The best advice I can give beginners is follow rules. No matter what your style is there are basic rules that dictate what makes a good tattoo.

Share your contacts and website.
Thank you Iva for the opportunity. Here is my contact info:
Glen Decker OUTPORT TATTOO COMPANY
59 Broadway  Corner Brook Newfoundland
709 637 6574 gdtattooart@yahoo.ca / www.gdtattoo.com