23 - Edvin Tedebring

The beauty of abstract art is it’s ability to convey deep emotions. Mixing abstract with the permanence of tattoos, Edvin’s work really caught my eye. I have always wanted to get a tattoo that is purely abstract. To see how it flows around the contours of the unique canvas that is the human body. Edvin pushes himself to do just that - to work with the body when thinking about the placement of the tattoo. Not only do I love his abstract work but his portraits are so stunning - really using the negative space of the skin to create moving pieces. 

I find tattoos inspiring. I see my body as a reflection of my soul - and I want to express that reflection as art. To me, getting a tattoo is engraving a part of my story on my skin. I have several tattoos now (not nearly enough in my opinion) and each one is still special to me. Even my very first tattoo. It symbolizes my beliefs when I was younger. Yes, those beliefs have changed. Even though those beliefs aren’t exactly the same anymore, I don’t regret the tattoo. It is a marker for where I was at one point in my life and a huge part of what makes me who I am today. I look at it and it is a huge part of my story that I would never want to cover up. When I look at Edvin’s work, I am reminded of our unique stories and how our skin tells others who we are. 

You create these beautiful pieces that are a mix of abstract and realistic elements. Can you tell us more about yourself and what you do?

I am a 26 year old tattoo artist from Sweden, living in Copenhagen. I have been in the tattoo industry for almost five years now. When I first started out, I was doing a lot of horror / gothic motives, but I eventually found it quite non-stimulating and it seemed like it had all been done before. I wanted to do something [a bit] more different, and I would say that the past two-three years have been my most important style developing years (so far). My interest for abstract work started growing, and I wanted to implement it in my tattoo work. Today, there is abstract elements in every design I make, and oftentimes my designs are completely abstract. I also like realistic elements, however simplified. I think this adds emotion to the pieces, and I think it goes well in combination with abstract.

What inspired you to pursue being a tattoo artist?

I always found tattoos fascinating, mysterious and, to many, provoking. I liked what tattoos did to people, they always left an impression of some kind. I needed to work in a creative field, and as I was drawing and designing more and more, I got hooked on the thought of trying to make a career as a tattoo artist. It seemed like a very free field, where there would be huge potential of creativity. I liked the idea of having such a career, and I am thankful that I actually managed to get it.

I am also thankful for my mentor, Brent McKenzie, who took me on as an apprentice.  I was in uni studying digital media production, and I was regularly getting tattooed by Brent. We kept the conversation going regarding me getting into the industry. Once I graduated, he offered me to start learning/working with him. So I became his apprentice.

Is there anything that you are challenging yourself with currently?

I think all creative people challenge themselves constantly. I do too. I am lately focusing on daring myself to explore new ways of placing designs on the bodies of my clients. I want to break classic rules of placement, I want to make interesting and moving designs that float with the body. 

Are there any people in particular that have influenced your style or art?

There are of course influences from different fields. I get inspired from artists, tattoo artists, fashion designers, musicians and architects. It is hard for me point out people in particular. I kind of absorb here and there.

How do you approach working on a new piece?

Working in this field, I have definitely learned how to deliver creativity on demand. There needs to be a design for the client, whether or not I am feeling inspired. This has made my design process pretty efficient. Usually I spend a day or a few days before the appointment just thinking about how I want it to look on the body. I go over it in my head many times, and try different ideas until I land on the one I like the most. After that, I sit down and plan out the concept. I work digitally when designing tattoos. Sometimes it ends up just like I thought about it, and sometimes I change it along the way and it ends up completely different from my initial idea.

Is there anything that you consider before taking on a new client?

I consider their ability to trust me and my process. Some people need to be in full control of everything in their life, and I respect that, but it can be problematic in the case of getting a tattoo. I need my client to trust me, in order to carry out a good tattoo for them. If I feel like we will not be able to cooperate, I will rather not take on the project.

How do you find inspiration? (Or How does inspiration find you?)

It really varies. Sometimes it just shows up in my head. Sometimes I hear a song that kind of visualizes a design idea in my head. Sometimes it’s a building, a fashion runway or something that someone said. 

What has been your biggest struggle as a tattoo artist? How did you overcome it? 

I would say to think that I am good enough. I guess it is common among creators to never be satisfied, and you can question if you are good enough to continue. I would not say I have overcome this fully, but what has helped me to partly overcome it is to remind myself of the fact that I have a following of people who really appreciate what I do. I use that as ‘proof’ that I am at least doing something right.

What advice would you give to other artists?

This may sound cliché but you really need to ignore other peoples (negative) opinions. The sooner you start doing exactly what you want with your art, the sooner you will get so much better at it. I used to value my work based on opinions of others or society’s norms as to what is good or not, right or not. When I stopped caring about what others may think of me or what I do, the quality of my work skyrocketed. Society tells us a lot of things that we should do, but making art is not about rules, so break them as soon as you can.

What is something that has really pushed you as an artist?  

Striving towards making things I haven’t seen before. Making goals for myself. Believing in myself. And foremost, not thinking of my tattoo work as tattoos. I found myself getting stuck when thinking in terms of tattoos all the time, so I really try to not see it that way. I design what I think looks good, and the rest will work out somehow. This has helped me a lot in my progress.

Also, my wife has always been a fantastic support to me. It is in many ways thanks to her that I am still in this industry. She has pushed me to take steps in my career that has been key to my development and growth. I am certain I would not be where I am without her.

Is there anything new that you are working on? 

I am always working on something new. Right now I would say I am working on implementing more physically painted material into the tattoo designs I make. I want to get a more natural look to elements such as brush strokes and spatter.

Do you have any resources to share?

Hard to come up with particular resources, but in general I would say that every artist should, at least every now and then, seek inspiration outside of where they normally would. And try seeking inspiration in other things than actual art. Read books on self improvement. Read books on business. Work on yourself, and your work will develop, I assure it.

Follow Edvin’s work on Instagram @e.tedebring