Pacific Tattoo: Artist’s take - Lord Grim

(Photo by Luis Samayoa)

I got my first tattoo when I was like 12 or 13 years old (I kept it a secret from my parents). It was a garage-style tattoo from a friend with a nearly broken needle gun. I still remember how much it hurt and how much I hated needles (still do). I’m not a fan of going to the clinic for immunizations, but oddly enough, I still get tattoos. 

My first studio tattoo took place when I met Lord Grim. I was stationed in Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), N.C. My roommate, Hunter, blasted through my door to show me his Nirvana In Untero 1993 album cover tattoo on his forearm. I saw how detailed it was and got me thinking of giving tattoos another shot. We ended up going later that same night and got with Grim. Soon after our first session, I began getting tattoos on a yearly basis. 

One thing I loved about going to Grim for my tattoos was his guidance and mentorship. It felt therapeutic every time I got a new piece from him. I remember the last tattoo he gave me before PCSing. I went in after re-enlisting and told him it’s my selfish gift to myself. He called me a dumbass and gave me my favorite tattoo at a discount rate. We have stayed in touch ever since I left North Carolina. 

I recently reached out to Grim to share his journey on becoming a tattoo artist and his take on life. 

(Lord Grim’s tattoo work)

Q. Can you tell me a bit about your military service and why you became a tattoo artist? 

A. It has been a long time. You’re one of my favorite clients. As for the military, it was an experience. I went into the Illinois National Guard first before joining Army full-time. I didn’t stay in long, lol. I was a troublemaker... the Chicago attitude from my youth was a lot tougher to break in Fort Benning. So many article 15s... I got booted in 2002. I didn’t get into tattooing until 2008, and it wasn’t to pursue a career, it was done purely out of spite. My first tattoo was done just out of the main gate at Benning (Fort Moore now). I was going to get a tattoo I drew up, but the guy messed it up completely and thought he was gonna scare me into paying for it. Got into a tussle... Long story short, I sold my motorcycle to buy tattoo equipment, tattooed myself, got a job two days later a few blocks away from that shop. Everyone knew me in the area, so I ended up being completely booked. The other guy made no money and had to close his shop, lol. Then I quit tattooing because I achieved what I wanted. But a few years later I went back into tattooing with a clearer train of thought. I had matured and studied tattooing and different styles of tattoos... I fell in love with the craft and pushed forward to get where I’m now. 

Q. What’s it like tattooing the military community? 

A. I love it because I get to do awesome tattoos on my brothers and sisters. But it gets hard at times because people never stay, and I continually fight to gain clients, especially with so many shops in the area. Not all of them are even good, and a lot of soldiers don’t know any better and just go to whomever is the cheapest, which isn’t the best decision... and 9 out of 10 times a bad decision ends up getting it covered up by me. But then I get those soldiers that see my work and they are like, “Hey, your work is awesome, here’s my idea, you do your thing.” I go all out to make them more than happy.  

(Photo by Luis Samayoa)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa)

Q. What advice do you have for service members interested in getting a tattoo? 

A: Research shops in the area, look at individual artists’ actual tattoo work. Ask about hourly rates. Set up a consultation and go over your idea in great detail, but don’t dictate. The artist will have to see how it’ll all fit together and might change things to make it look good. Don’t try to put so much in something really small. It won’t look good in the long run. Aftercare is key. Take care of your tattoos! Have something like Recovery Dermshield wrap or a good all-natural aftercare cream... No petroleum-based products!   

Q. What is the most rewarding thing about being a tattoo artist? 

A: Seeing peoples faces glow after I’m done with the tattoo. Makes me happy that I added something to their lives that they’re truly happy about.  

Q. The military has lots of regulations on tattoos. Do you constantly check the regs to prevent issues with service members?

A. I pay attention to when new regs are put into effect. Plus, I still have a lot of brothers and sisters in, so when things are being talked about, I always get word ahead of time so I can be prepared.  

Q. If you could change one thing about the tattoo industry and community, what would it be?

A. Lol! This is a loaded question. Gatekeeping. I think there should be some form of gateKeeping. Waaaaay too many wannabes after COVID bought cheap equipment on Amazon and started tattooing with no real prior knowledge. Had money, opened shops and started havoc on people’s bodies. They shouldn’t be allowed because it’s basically a form of light surgical procedure. I’ve seen waaaaay too many occurrences where people got MRSA, scarred, etc. Also, the cutthroat bullying mentality... it’s childish and I think it should definitely be nipped in the butt! Oh, and art classes! To this day, I still take art classes for different mediums. There’s always room to learn and progress my art! 

Q. Do you have any memorable tattoo events you would like to talk about? 

A. I’ve been tattooing since 2008 and struggled to make a name for myself... I brought my kids with me to a tattoo convention and won my first award... I was happy, but when I saw my children’s reaction to me winning, that’s what hit me hardest: Seeing my kids proud of me. Since then, I haven’t just tried to make a name for myself in the industry, but to keep showing my kids that no matter what, I will continue to push to become someone they can look up to and be proud of... not to follow in my footsteps and tattoo, but the footsteps of never giving up and achieving everything I set myself up to do. And they have. We’re always trying to make each other proud, and I think that type of value was much needed for us since I have raised them by myself since 2010. Being there for all their achievements has trumped anything I have done, but they also say the same in return.  

Q. Any final thoughts? 

A. I’ll be turning 42 in July. My life has been a really tough struggle. I had felt alone through everything and even thought about suicide. But things changed and I joined a Veteran organization of tattoo artists called Operation Tattooing Freedom. We’re here to help other Vets who are going through a tough time, depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, etc. We have a .org where Veterans can sign up and get appointed a tattoo artist who will set up a tattoo session. While tattooing, we just talk about anything. For example, if you’re stressed out, want to vent, that’s what we’re here for. Or if you need help and our input, we can provide it. Or even talk about how we worked through similar problems and what we did to get through things and move forward. I know we’re hardheaded, but remember you’re not alone. And we should stand up for each other. 

Learn more about Operation Tattooing Freedom