Erik Van Kobra | Tattoo, Painting, Illustration & Design

Erik Van Kobra Interview

Mr. Van Kobra, if that is your real name...

Yeah. You can call me Erik.

So, Erik. Painter, Tattoo Artist, Clothing Designer. How did it all start for you?

I've always painted. Since I can remember. In the 90's I was a graffitti kid. People started seeing my work around town and wanted me to paint stuff for them. I got this one job painting a mural on a tattoo shop and by the time I was done, I was working there. As for the t-shirts....I kill so many shirts with paint and ink, I need a warehouse full.

So the shirts are designed for you to wear them?

I wouldn't put my name on something I didn't like.

What about your tattoos? You can't possibly like every tattoo you're asked to do?

Custom tattooing is a collaboration. It Starts with my clients' concept. They come to me because they want my interpratation of their idea. So, I show them what's possible, pull some aces out of my sleeve, and 99 percent of the time we both love it.

What about the other 1 percent?

The 1 percent is always me. At the end of the day it's more important that they love it. They have to live with it. Sometimes I'll wish people were a bit more adventurous, but it takes time to earn your client's trust. Usually by their third or fourth tattoo, people sit in my chair and say "what do you feel like doing with my leg?". That's pretty rad. That's when I'm able to do my best work.

No restrictions, no guidelines. Like your paintings. Do you get the most satisfaction from painting then?

Absolutely. I've always considered myself a painter first. Everything else I kind of stumbled into and just happened to be good at. Painting is a bitch that's always breaking your heart. It takes a lot of work.

What would you say are your major influneces?

Obvious influneces would probably be painters. Hoffmann. Pollock. Film. Anything by Stanley Kubrick. Music, I don't know if it directly influences my work, but it definitely affects my state of mind. Lately I've been listening to nothing but Justice. I can't get enough of them. And Hydro 74, his stuff's good.

What keeps you going? How do you find the time?

Well, I've got to eat and this is what I do. I've never had a resume. I've never had a "real" job. I'm my own boss and I'm kind of a hard-ass.

So, Mr Hard-Ass Boss Man, what's next on the agenda?

Ha! I don't know yet. Right now people keep giving me their stuff and I make it look cool. Walls, Shoes, Skateboards... Limbs. You name it I'll decorate it.

		Erik Van Kobra Interview Mr. Van Kobra, if that is your real name... Yeah. You can call me Erik. So, Erik. Painter, Tattoo Artist, Clothing Designer. How did it all start for you? I've always painted. Since I can remember. In the 90's I was a graffitti kid. People started seeing my work around town and wanted me to paint stuff for them. I got this one job painting a mural on a tattoo shop and by the time I was done, I was working there. As for the t-shirts....I kill so many shirts with paint and ink, I need a warehouse full. So the shirts are designed for you to wear them? I wouldn't put my name on something I didn't like. What about your tattoos? You can't possibly like every tattoo you're asked to do? Custom tattooing is a collaboration. It Starts with my clients' concept. They come to me because they want my interpratation of their idea. So, I show them what's possible, pull some aces out of my sleeve, and 99 percent of the time we both love it. What about the other 1 percent? The 1 percent is always me. At the end of the day it's more important that they love it. They have to live with it. Sometimes I'll wish people were a bit more adventurous, but it takes time to earn your client's trust. Usually by their third or fourth tattoo, people sit in my chair and say "what do you feel like doing with my leg?". That's pretty rad. That's when I'm able to do my best work. No restrictions, no guidelines. Like your paintings. Do you get the most satisfaction from painting then? Absolutely. I've always considered myself a painter first. Everything else I kind of stumbled into and just happened to be good at. Painting is a bitch that's always breaking your heart. It takes a lot of work. What would you say are your major influneces? Obvious influneces would probably be painters. Hoffmann. Pollock. Film. Anything by Stanley Kubrick. Music, I don't know if it directly influences my work, but it definitely affects my state of mind. Lately I've been listening to nothing but Justice. I can't get enough of them. And Hydro 74, his stuff's good. What keeps you going? How do you find the time? Well, I've got to eat and this is what I do. I've never had a resume. I've never had a "real" job. I'm my own boss and I'm kind of a hard-ass. So, Mr Hard-Ass Boss Man, what's next on the agenda? Ha! I don't know yet. Right now people keep giving me their stuff and I make it look cool. Walls, Shoes, Skateboards... Limbs. You name it I'll decorate it.