Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daebeom (Gray) Kim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daebeom (Gray), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Every project is special to me, but my work with undefined forms like water and smoke stands out. Since they lack a fixed shape, they are very challenging to tattoo. They shift from static to dynamic in an instant. It’s hard to draw them on paper, but tattooing them is a massive undertaking.

I was attracted to their freedom of form because I desire that same freedom in my own life. But the process was ironic. To create the look of ‘freedom’ on skin, I needed precise calculation and endless practice. I felt that the closer I tried to get to freedom, the further away I was from it

Daebeom (Gray), love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I view every tattoo project as a fragment of my own memory and history. While it’s often difficult for me to recall every client’s face, I can instantly recognize the work I’ve done on them.

I consider the tattoos on my clients’ skin to be a ‘living gallery’—a moving exhibition displaying my art in real-time all across the globe. This perspective drives me to be a perfectionist in every single project. For me, mistakes are simply unacceptable.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is knowing that my art can have a positive impact on someone. Everyone carries their own unique story. While I cannot reach everyone in the world, it gives me a profound sense of purpose to know that the tattoo on my client’s skin serves as a source of lifelong positive energy, helping to guide their personal narrative in a better direction.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I would say the defining moment was when I first tattooed my own body. Surprisingly, I didn’t have a single tattoo until two years after I became an artist. I eventually decided to tattoo my arm for practice, and that experience allowed me to absorb a tremendous amount of information. It was a huge help in refining my skills. I’m actually planning to practice on my thigh next.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: graycodetattoo
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

@graycodetattoo