Interviews
Kenn Skogli – Trysil’s Great Tattoo Prodigy!
From the nerves of being an apprentice to Electric Linda to mastering realism and animal portraits, Kenn shares his open and honest story about the challenges, his passion for art, and how growing up in Trysil shaped him.
We delve into everything from the role of drawing in tattooing, his love for wolves, his experience as a guest artist in New York, and how rock ’n’ roll influences his life—both on and off the job. Get ready for a fascinating journey into the world of tattoo artistry, told by an artist who truly walks his own path.
How was it to start your career as an apprentice to Electric Linda at her first tattoo studio, Attitude?
Pretty nerve-wracking, to be honest. I’d worked so hard for four or five years trying to find an apprenticeship, and then suddenly, one day in June or something like that, I got a message: “Hey, can you start in a week?” I was completely caught off guard. I was still living at home, in the middle of the woods, on my childhood bedroom floor, with no plan to move so quickly. But I just went for it, packed my stuff, and left. My stepdad’s sister lived in Lørenskog, so I crashed there for the first week and commuted every day. On the very first day, I was thrown into reception duty, answering the phone. I had horrible phone anxiety, so that was a rough start!
Wow! That sounds intense.
Yeah, it’s a long story. It all started back in 2012 when I came to Oslo looking for an apprenticeship. I got an offer from a guy called Uncle Max in Torggata, but then I had to quickly figure out how to make enough money to move. I applied for support from NAV (Norwegian welfare services) several times, but they kept turning me down.
How do you think growing up in Trysil has influenced you as an artist? You’ve always been interested in art and drawing, haven’t you?
There wasn’t much inspiration to be found up there, to be honest. I had to find my own way. The internet was my salvation!
So, you spent a lot of time in your room drawing and reaching out to the world through the internet? And then you decided to move to Oslo?
Yeah, that’s right.
Did you have any experience with a tattoo machine when you moved to Oslo?
Not really. I got a cheap eBay machine as a Christmas gift from my cousin, who was pushing me to become a tattoo artist. But I refused to practice on friends at home. I tried a bit on pigskin, but that went completely to hell.
How did things start with Linda? What were your first weeks as an apprentice like, and when did you start tattooing?
I actually started as a cameraman for Linda, managing her YouTube channel. I made videos and handled various small tasks around the studio. After a while, the other staff left for different reasons, so it was basically just me and Linda. That’s when I suddenly got to try using the tattoo machine, even though it was a bit early. I started with small text and symbols for almost a year before moving on to more realistic work.
And now you’re a master of realism. It’s been a long journey, from years of waiting to being thrown into it. What is it about animal portraits that captured your interest?
It probably ties back to where I’m from. In Trysil, everyone hates wolves, but I love them. I’ve always liked animals more than people, so I find it amusing to kind of rub it in by rooting for the wolf. There’s definitely a bit of mischief in that too, haha.
So, growing up in Trysil has influenced you as an artist?
Yeah, you could say that. I spent a lot of time with my dad on elk hunts when I was younger. I’m not interested in hunting myself, but the theme stuck with me. It’s easier to mess up an elk in art without it looking completely disastrous, compared to humans.
Cool! What about rock music? You have a very rock-inspired sense of humor and lifestyle. Does that reflect in your art?
I feel like they’re two completely different worlds. In my free time, I’m more rock’n’roll, full speed ahead. But at work, I’m much more professional.
How do drawing and painting help you as a tattoo artist?
It’s always been my passion. I learned shading and composition long before I started tattooing, which gave me a head start. A lot of tattoo artists today can’t draw at all because they’ve grown up with iPads and only work digitally.
You were a guest artist at BANGBANG in New York. How did that impact you?
It was primarily a fun experience. I got to know a guy through the gaming community, and he let me stay at his place while I worked there. I learned a lot, especially from Oscar Akermo, who also tattooed me. It was really inspiring.
You took a break from the industry due to burnout. What brought you back?
Two years of unemployment took its toll. There was a lot of partying, and I needed to get back to something meaningful. Linda had left Attitude and started her own studio, and it seemed like a serious place with a great crew, so I decided to go for it.
Finally: What’s your dream tattoo?
A huge chimpanzee or an ape on a butt hole. A guaranteed internet hit, haha!
We’ll see what comes in! Thanks so much for the chat, Kenn.
