Tattoo talk- Nick Jakobsen

What made you take the step and try tattooing, and what inspired you to fully commit to becoming a tattoo artist?
I've always had an interest in tattoos, and I've been fascinated by them since I was little. I was always the girl who sat and drew during classes. It's something I've always thought was cool. Additionally, I wanted to do something different, something that stood out from "regular jobs," because I just can’t do that. So, this industry was much better. I initially wanted to attend art school first and then apply, but then Sabel Ink took me right in, which was pretty cool.

So Sabel Ink became your tattoo school?
Yes, even though I obviously had to learn a lot on my own, but that’s how it is in this industry.

Clearly! That’s part of what gives the industry some edge and makes the whole tattoo thing extra cool in many ways. Was there a specific moment when you felt you had chosen the right profession and were 100% sure you were on the right path in life?
There was perhaps a time in the beginning when it was entering the low season, and I started thinking, “oh shit, I need to get another job; otherwise, I can't afford to live where I live,” but I was just like, PFFF! No, I’m not walking away from this.

Tattooing has been a bit of a taboo industry. It’s been somewhat illegal, scary, and on the verge of being criminal across the board. Is there anything about this aspect that attracted you to the industry? Were you drawn to the edge in addition to the art?
Hahaha! Maybe!? There’s something cool about being a tattoo artist and getting to draw on people. Plus, there’s something special about them walking around with my drawings on their bodies.

For the rest of their lives!
Yeah, it’s insane. I try not to think about it too much while I’m tattooing, actually.

That’s probably wise! What about doubt? Have you ever had doubts or faced significant challenges during your career that made you question whether you were capable or wanted to continue with tattooing?
It’s more that my brain is wired in a way that I often think, “YOU SUCK.” Sometimes, when I look at other tattoo artists who have been working for 10-12 years and are really skilled, I sometimes think, “how am I ever going to get there?”

But here you are, at record speed! Do you spend a lot of time looking at other tattoo artists? Do you browse through the portfolios of bigger artists and use that for inspiration?
Yes, I mostly use other tattoo artists for inspiration. What often helps is scrolling all the way down on the pages of people I admire and seeing where they started. It’s an inspiring and nice method that reminds me that everyone started somewhere, and that everyone gets better as long as they keep working. We develop slowly but surely, and that’s how it should be.

Do you have a tattoo or a customer that stands out from the crowd? Do you have an experience that really left an impression, either positively or negatively?
YES! Well, I don’t have one that I’ve tattooed myself, but I have a story from when I was an apprentice. There was someone who wanted to come in and get a red ring tattooed around their anus.

The other apprentice and I were just joking about the whole thing, making jokes about how crazy it would be if we both had to stand on either side and spread his butt for the tattoo artist who took on the job. Then the artist came in and asked us to put on gloves, and we looked at each other and were like, “Oh damn! We should never have joked about this.” But suddenly, there we were, on either side, spreading his cheeks while the guy was in a doggy position as we applied the stencil.

It was pretty hard not to laugh, to put it that way.

Oh my God! Every story here is wilder than the last. Miguel has shooting incidents, and Gerda tattooed a rabbit on a vagina in a shopping mall. I’m starting to get excited about the rest!
Hahaha!

Did he explain why he wanted a red ring around his anus?
No, the only thing we noticed was that he only had one tattoo before. He looked like the most innocent and kind person. Married and the whole package, so no, I have no idea. I think he realized we found the whole situation comical. Plus, I think there were three guys who could see us through one of the shop's windows, so yeah...

I can say this much: if someone came in here asking for an anus tattoo, we would never have put two apprentices on the job to spread someone’s cheeks. We probably wouldn’t have taken on the job at all. Not that we judge anyone here, but that’s definitely a job for specially interested individuals. If you Google anus tattoo, hopefully other studios than Masterpiece will pop up. (All you SEO experts can take a breather now.)
Yeah, he had booked an appointment, and the artist wanted the experience. I don’t know...

Are there any artists who have particularly influenced you? Are there any you follow that you’d like to share, or that you think other young tattoo enthusiasts could be inspired by?
There are many, but actually, it’s Esther @graphitetoink that I’ve learned the most from when it comes to style and such. That’s part of the reason I have such a similar style to hers, so everyone should check out Esther.

Esther is noted! That’s cool. What about outside of Ring 3? Do you have any favorite accounts you follow out there?
Hehe. Goya Tattoo Art. She’s great with flowers and such. Her tattoos are super cool. I also follow many artists from Japan. A lot of them are incredibly skilled with details and colors. They’re often absolutely insane. I also keep an eye on micro-realism mixed with geometry, but I can never remember any names!!!

Haha! I think we'll wrap it up there. Finally! Do you have any tips and tricks for apprentices and junior artists who want to get on the same track as you?
It’s really just about going for it, even if you’re not completely satisfied with your work yet, and not being afraid to show off your portfolio. It’s better than regretting not doing it.

Want to book a tattoo appointment or a non-binding consultation with Nick here in Oslo? Then click HERE.