Keith Grodi
IA: How long have you been working at Eternal (Clawson)?
KG: Six years.
IA: Where did you work before you were at Eternal?
KG: Primal Tattoo in Orlando, Florida about eight years ago.
IA: How long have you been in the tattoo industry?
KG: 19 years in the industry.
IA: What made you decide to get into the industry?
KG: I had a few friends who were getting tattoos from “the guy in a kitchen” and wanted me to start doing their tattoos for them instead.
So then I went to that same guy to get my first tattoo and watched his every move. That’s pretty much how I got started. Bad decision in retrospect to take notes from a hack, but seemed like a good idea at the time…haha.
IA: After watching your first tattoo- did you go buy your own materials and start tattooing or did you get a job at a shop?
KG: Bought my own equipment and started that way.
IA: Where do you find your inspiration?
KG: I find most of my inspiration from other artists in general. Not always tattoo artists, but more like the artists out there doing all sorts of really cool paintings and CG type of art. I get a ton of inspiration from Tom Renshaw, who works right next to me at the shop. I do almost every single tattoo like he is going to judge it, so that pushes me to be very critical of my work.
IA: How would you define your tattoo style?
KG: I have a feel for my work, more than a style really. I love doing a photo realistic style of tattooing, whether or not the reference was a photo. If I think I can pull it off with that approach, then I will do my best to do so- and I usually find that fun and fulfilling.
IA: What is your favorite part about tattooing?
KG: The creative freedom that my clients are beginning to let me have. Without that, I would be miserable tattooing anymore. You can only do what someone else tells you to do for so long. Tattooing so many stars, crosses and butterflies can take a toll on a persons creativity.
IA: Are there any artists you look up to?
KG: Well, I would say I look up to quite a few artists in the industry and they are usually for different reasons. I have been following Tom Renshaw since I first started tattooing almost 20 yrs ago. Now it is almost unreal that I have been working right next to him for the past six years. Not to mention we are pretty good friends now, and he helps me all the time with tips to push my work even further. Bob Tyrell, Josh Carlton, Brandon Bond, Nikko Hurtado, and Alex De Pase are among my many other influences.
IA: Have you received awards or magazine press for your work?
KG: Yes- I’ve been in a few magazines before, but I haven’t really tried too much to get in more magazines, nor any competitions in conventions. That is actually something I regret a little bit now. Going the extra mile when it comes to publicity is always a weak spot for me.
IA: Is publicity an area you plan to push yourself to pursue more in the future?
KG: Yes, I plan to.
IA: Are you working any upcoming conventions?
KG: I usually only work the Detroit tattoo expo anymore because I don’t like traveling with all my equipment. I also don’t like being out of my comfort zone too often. I do my best work in my own space, in my own office.
IA: What do you like to do in your free time?
KG: My hobbies outside of work usually involve some sort of creative remodeling project at my house. I love doing that kind of work because it is a different art form to me. I also love bass fishing, poker (gambling, casinos in general), and I’m a huge football fan (especially the Detroit Lions). That pretty much sums up my entire winter season, along with a lot of painting projects.
IA: The Sugar Skull and Medusa shirts have a story/meaning behind them?
KG: Not really- I usually start drawing something and just see where it goes. The Medusa shirt is actually a reflection of a female model- I use her face for inspiration.
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