Art doesn’t always begin with an idea, in fact sometimes it starts with something tough to describe. For some artists, it’s a way to translate what can’t easily be said out loud. 

For Lethbridge-based painter Brook Skagen and Calgary tattoo artist Ferdi Goksin, creating isn’t just about producing something visual, it’s about making sense of feelings and experiences.

“What began as a childhood instinct to draw and experiment with colour has gradually evolved into a deeply personal creative practice,” said Skagen.

“Art has become one of the main ways I process and organize complex thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to communicate through words.”

Skagen expresses the difficulties of sharing his feelings through everyday experiences, but through the canvas, expression becomes simpler. 

“Living with mental health challenges, including BPD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ADHD, means my inner world can sometimes feel fragmented or overwhelming,” said Skagen

“Creating allows me to translate that internal landscape into visual form through layers, colour fields, and shifting shapes that reflect the mosaic of emotions and experiences moving through me.”

For Skagen, art isn’t about creating something visually appealing, it's about the message behind it. The visuals that they create come from memories, relationships, and hardships that are constantly being carried. 

Through his art it has become important to not solely strive for perfection, or a specific outcome. Instead, Skagen now strives for a visual communication that reaches a wider ranged audience. 

“I began to see art as a form of communication rather than just aesthetics,” Skagen said

“That realization opened the door to more abstract and expressive work, where the focus became sharing an experience or emotion rather than simply creating or capturing images.”

While Skagen turns inward for inspiration, Ferdi Goskin’s work is shaped by what he observes around him. For Goksin, a Calgary dutch tattoo artist, his inspiration is through observation and taking in his surroundings. 

Originally a biology teacher based in the Netherlands, Goksin had a change in passion somewhere along the lines of his career.

Goksin always carried the passion of drawing through him ever since he was a kid, but during his adult years he stepped away from it while pursuing biology. 

“At some point, I felt the need to find a new hobby,” said Goksin.

“Then one day I thought, why wait until I retire? Why not start now?”

What started with a drawing kit, and continuous portrait drawing, Goksin slowly transitioned into tattooing, and practicing on fake skin. 

For Goksin there isn't solely one thing that sparks his inspiration, but what catches his thoughts the most has always been animals.

He expresses that this could be due to his love for biology, and background, he always finds himself incorporating animals throughout his work.

Besides being able to express himself through his work, just like many other artists Goksin finds himself stuck from time to time. 

“What usually helps is taking a step back for a moment, looking at examples from other tattoo artists, and sometimes asking for help,” said Goksin.

Similar to Goksin, Skagen has also found himself in the same situation of feeling stuck while working on a piece. 

“I find I can sometimes get in my own way during the creative process, especially if I start with a very fixed idea of how I want a piece to turn out,” said Skagen.

“Letting go of the outcome usually opens the door to something more honest and unexpected.” 

Even though Skagen typically is driven through an emotional basis, it is important for them to remember that being creative doesn't always need to have a structure.

Skagen's work typically includes a series of colour blocking to create a unique and visually intricate design. These elements allow for his emotions to fall through each and every curve on the canvas.

Along with this it also allows viewers to interpret his artwork differently, encouraging a personal reflection into their personal life.

Despite Skagen and Goksin working with a completely different medium, they are both able to communicate with people through their passion of creation. Through permanent ink, and paint strategically placed on canvas, each artist is able to reflect a personal storytelling that shares emotions, experiences, and most importantly client relationship. 

Although building a strong relationship, and form of trust with clients is important, for Goskin using social media platforms to get in touch with consumers is heavily important. 

Since he had originally moved from the Netherlands, and essentially had to start over with finding his clientele, Instagram was one of the best ways he was able to showcase his work.

“When I first arrived in Calgary, I didn't know anyone here at all. Through Instagram, I was able to build up my client base,” said Goskin. 

Moving to a completely new city, and knowing not a single person is just as intimidating as it sounds, but Goskin didn't let this hold him back from his dreams of being a successful tattoo artist. 

For Goskin his career isn't just about tattooing people, it's about the journey he spent achieving his business. It's also the reflective growth that can be seen through not only his work, but the way he carries his connections and passion to create.

Skagen also uses Instagram to connect with their audience and clientele. Sharing his artwork has actively changed the way that Skagen approaches sharing his work, as it becomes more personal. 

“Sharing my work shifts the way I think about it,” said Skagen

“Instead of feeling like a private journal, the pieces begin to feel more like small ‘love notes’ to the people who encounter them.”

What connects both Skagen and Goksin is their shared ability to communicate through their work. Whether it's through layered paint or permanent ink, each piece carries elements of their experiences, influences, and personal growth. 

While their approaches are different, it's clear that art can have deeper meanings, where creation can be interpreted in many different ways.