Slowerblack aka Jenna Bouma tattooing someone's head.
Jenna Bouma, AKA Slowerblack, is the kind of badass, you-should-just-give-up-now tattoo artist who makes you feel totally embarrassed by that hot pink lightning bolt you got inked on your shoulder ten years ago. It's not that she gives a shit what you tattoo on your shoulder, face, or dick, though. In fact, she couldn't really care less what you choose to immortalize on your body.Over the last few years, the 24-year-old, Canadian-born artist has amassed an impressive Instagram following with over 40,000 aspiring human canvases vying for her limited attention. Her highly-coveted appointments are often announced at the very last minute, and are completely dependent on her current (and frequently varying) whereabouts. Plus, her art has even been co-opted by a cheap Korean clothing company.
Advertisement
While some Instagrammers busy themselves with selfies and food pics, Bouma's rabbithole of a feed maintains an air of shadowy secrecy and artful mystique. We'll even give her a pass on the occasional "Don't look at me" hair-and-hand-obscured-face selfie, because, well, she permanently inscribes pin-ups and "Fuck Cops" on people, manually, for a living.We caught up with the world-wandering artist to talk tattoo virginity, barfing on the train, and the Canadian tattoo scene in general.VICE: When did you first get into tattoos?
Slowerblack: Growing up, I never saw many tattoos. Nobody in my family had any, nobody I went to school with was really interested in them, and the only ones I actually remember seeing were on middle aged guys swimming inside West Edmonton Mall's water park, sporting the odd Canadian maple leaf or tribal arm bands that had half fallen out. During the winter, when I'd go to Hawaii as a kid, I remember seeing men with intricate Hawaiian tatau pieces. That was the first time I ever really took notice of tattoos that were more culturally specific. Then, in high school, I found myself getting involved in the punk and hardcore scene in Edmonton. Most of my friends there were older and tattooed. They were my first real introduction into tattoos, and that's what began to spark my interest.When did you lose your tattoo-giving virginity?
I did my first tattoo in Vancouver when I was 18.
Slowerblack: Growing up, I never saw many tattoos. Nobody in my family had any, nobody I went to school with was really interested in them, and the only ones I actually remember seeing were on middle aged guys swimming inside West Edmonton Mall's water park, sporting the odd Canadian maple leaf or tribal arm bands that had half fallen out. During the winter, when I'd go to Hawaii as a kid, I remember seeing men with intricate Hawaiian tatau pieces. That was the first time I ever really took notice of tattoos that were more culturally specific. Then, in high school, I found myself getting involved in the punk and hardcore scene in Edmonton. Most of my friends there were older and tattooed. They were my first real introduction into tattoos, and that's what began to spark my interest.When did you lose your tattoo-giving virginity?
I did my first tattoo in Vancouver when I was 18.
Advertisement
Is there any sort of rivalry between stick 'n' poke artists versus tattoo artists who use guns?
Not that I'm aware of. I don't believe there's a rivalry between machine tattooers and those that choose to do tattoos by hand. If there is, I certainly I don't know about it, and don't care to know about it. If it exists, it's not worth me stressing over. Some tattooers won't take me seriously because I'm not holding a machine, but it's no skin off my back.What's the connection like between a tattoo artist and their client? Is it personal or strictly business?
It fully depends on the person coming in to get tattooed and what they see it as. Some don't say a word. They just want to get the tattoo done and split. Meanwhile, others might be getting tattooed to mentally overcome something that's on their mind or to gain closure. Some just want to experience what this kind of tattooing is like, and they just want to chat and discuss what's going on. And others will cuss me out 'cause they don't like the feeling but they want the tattoo. It's all over the place.What do you think about face tats? Have you given one?
I wouldn't get 'em and I haven't really given any either, but freak what you feel. Kondh and Moko facial tattoos are intriguing to me, as well as certain gang and prison tattoos.How has being Canadian, and growing up in Canada, influenced your tattoo style?
I think growing up in Canada has made me more curious about the culture of tattooing in other places—the different methods and different styles and the history that exists in far away places. That being said, Canada didn't play a big part in what my tattoos look like or how I feel about them. My general view on life has been influenced by my time spent growing up in Canada, and in some ways, that is visible in my choice of subject matter. But that really only becomes apparent when I'm in Edmonton or Calgary where I'll end up tattooing wild roses, bison, bunches of wheat, mountains, bears etc. I love the odd, Alberta-related tattoos I do because they definitely bring up the whole nerdy nostalgia of being back home. But when I'm not there, most of my tattoos are influenced by what I've seen and what I've picked up from being away so much of the time. It's really all muddled up because of how much I've traveled and been gone.
Not that I'm aware of. I don't believe there's a rivalry between machine tattooers and those that choose to do tattoos by hand. If there is, I certainly I don't know about it, and don't care to know about it. If it exists, it's not worth me stressing over. Some tattooers won't take me seriously because I'm not holding a machine, but it's no skin off my back.What's the connection like between a tattoo artist and their client? Is it personal or strictly business?
It fully depends on the person coming in to get tattooed and what they see it as. Some don't say a word. They just want to get the tattoo done and split. Meanwhile, others might be getting tattooed to mentally overcome something that's on their mind or to gain closure. Some just want to experience what this kind of tattooing is like, and they just want to chat and discuss what's going on. And others will cuss me out 'cause they don't like the feeling but they want the tattoo. It's all over the place.What do you think about face tats? Have you given one?
I wouldn't get 'em and I haven't really given any either, but freak what you feel. Kondh and Moko facial tattoos are intriguing to me, as well as certain gang and prison tattoos.How has being Canadian, and growing up in Canada, influenced your tattoo style?
I think growing up in Canada has made me more curious about the culture of tattooing in other places—the different methods and different styles and the history that exists in far away places. That being said, Canada didn't play a big part in what my tattoos look like or how I feel about them. My general view on life has been influenced by my time spent growing up in Canada, and in some ways, that is visible in my choice of subject matter. But that really only becomes apparent when I'm in Edmonton or Calgary where I'll end up tattooing wild roses, bison, bunches of wheat, mountains, bears etc. I love the odd, Alberta-related tattoos I do because they definitely bring up the whole nerdy nostalgia of being back home. But when I'm not there, most of my tattoos are influenced by what I've seen and what I've picked up from being away so much of the time. It's really all muddled up because of how much I've traveled and been gone.
Advertisement
What's the tattoo scene like in Canada? If I'm visiting Vancouver, where do I want to go?
I'm not at home as much as I used to be, so my opinion is pretty blegh. But I do know that Canada does have a great tattoo scene, as well as some really great tattooers. I fully back Tattoo Union in Vancouver. My friend Jeremy Riley holds down that shop. He's a really great, humble tattooer who knows his tattoo history and how to execute a well-placed, good-looking tattoo. He and Logan Morrison will always have my respect. Gastown Tattoo is also hard not to mention because it's got a great list of tattooers and a constant flow of guest artists from allover the world. Frank Grimes pulls off some really good traditional pieces there.Have you come across any challenges being a woman in your business? Do you find that it works in your favour, or against you?
Ehhhh, I've never really viewed myself as a woman in the tattoo industry, but rather just as a tattooer in the tattoo industry. I really hope I've never been favoured for being female. And I also hope that it hasn't worked against me, because I don't feel it should be relevant. My tattoos and what I paint should be what's relevant, not if I have tits and an ass.Your tattoos often feature women––femme fatales, boxers, flappers, etc. What's the story behind that?
People's interest in [that subject matter] pushed me to continue drawing more female subjects. I've always drawn loads of women and made sure they stood out in their own way—longing, sensual, normal, thoughtful kind of ways. Drawing them differently than what I've seen before, and tailoring them so that they're bold but stripped back for hand-poking.
I'm not at home as much as I used to be, so my opinion is pretty blegh. But I do know that Canada does have a great tattoo scene, as well as some really great tattooers. I fully back Tattoo Union in Vancouver. My friend Jeremy Riley holds down that shop. He's a really great, humble tattooer who knows his tattoo history and how to execute a well-placed, good-looking tattoo. He and Logan Morrison will always have my respect. Gastown Tattoo is also hard not to mention because it's got a great list of tattooers and a constant flow of guest artists from allover the world. Frank Grimes pulls off some really good traditional pieces there.Have you come across any challenges being a woman in your business? Do you find that it works in your favour, or against you?
Ehhhh, I've never really viewed myself as a woman in the tattoo industry, but rather just as a tattooer in the tattoo industry. I really hope I've never been favoured for being female. And I also hope that it hasn't worked against me, because I don't feel it should be relevant. My tattoos and what I paint should be what's relevant, not if I have tits and an ass.Your tattoos often feature women––femme fatales, boxers, flappers, etc. What's the story behind that?
People's interest in [that subject matter] pushed me to continue drawing more female subjects. I've always drawn loads of women and made sure they stood out in their own way—longing, sensual, normal, thoughtful kind of ways. Drawing them differently than what I've seen before, and tailoring them so that they're bold but stripped back for hand-poking.
Advertisement
You've been traveling nonstop for the last few months. Give me the highlight reel.
The biggest highlight is that I've been able to live spontaneously while abroad and be my own boss. I was meant to only be in Europe for a month and a half, but that has turned into a five-month, round-the-world kind of stint.I think Korea and Japan and even going home to winter in Canada are what I'm looking forward to most. I had one night in Gothenburg where a few friends and me got pretty lifted and I had the bright idea of tattooing their palms around 3 AM in a very dimly lit basement. Then I went to Milan and my friend Guy and I rented an apartment where we'd stay up late drinking wine and drawing, talking about projects, etc. I got really sick from having drunk more wine than my body could handle, threw up bile on a train to Vicenza, and arrived really out of it and down seven pounds. That's more of a gross story than a highlight, though.Skanör was wild 'cause I was with a few close friends who all flew in from different countries at the same time just to hang out and lay low at my friend Johanna's place. Cooking really insane meals and drinking cocktails made by one of the best cocktailers in Canada in a very stunning house in south Sweden. Real fancy.Have you had any weird requests to tattoo an X-rated body part?
Of course, but I don't even find it weird, and I don't think they're weird for wanting 'em. Some girls just want their breasts tattooed, and some dudes want their cock tattooed. Either way, I'll sort you out.
The biggest highlight is that I've been able to live spontaneously while abroad and be my own boss. I was meant to only be in Europe for a month and a half, but that has turned into a five-month, round-the-world kind of stint.I think Korea and Japan and even going home to winter in Canada are what I'm looking forward to most. I had one night in Gothenburg where a few friends and me got pretty lifted and I had the bright idea of tattooing their palms around 3 AM in a very dimly lit basement. Then I went to Milan and my friend Guy and I rented an apartment where we'd stay up late drinking wine and drawing, talking about projects, etc. I got really sick from having drunk more wine than my body could handle, threw up bile on a train to Vicenza, and arrived really out of it and down seven pounds. That's more of a gross story than a highlight, though.Skanör was wild 'cause I was with a few close friends who all flew in from different countries at the same time just to hang out and lay low at my friend Johanna's place. Cooking really insane meals and drinking cocktails made by one of the best cocktailers in Canada in a very stunning house in south Sweden. Real fancy.Have you had any weird requests to tattoo an X-rated body part?
Of course, but I don't even find it weird, and I don't think they're weird for wanting 'em. Some girls just want their breasts tattooed, and some dudes want their cock tattooed. Either way, I'll sort you out.
Advertisement
