Derek Turcotte Canmore, Alberta, Canada @drkturcotte

From his earliest childhood drawings to becoming an established artist and studio owner in the Canadian Rockies, Derek Turcotte has built a career defined by constant evolution and a strong sense of identity. His work merges symbolism, ancestral influences, comic art, and fantasy universes, creating a powerful visual language that moves seamlessly between painting and tattooing.

In this interview, he shares the foundations of his artistic development, the collaborative spirit behind his studio, and the vision that drives his current projects—revealing how passion, discipline, and community continue to shape his creative journey.

1. First of all, thank you for opening the doors to your artistic universe. To begin, we would love to know how it all started: what experiences or motivations marked the beginning of your journey in art?

Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was constantly drawing—comic book characters, wildlife from national geographic , anything that allowed me to escape into imagination. I was interested in storytelling through imagery. My parents always encouraged my art/ drawing and paintings  a kid annd teenager. my mom used to drive me and my cousins to an art class in the neighbouring town when I was younger!  Over time, my drawing shifted to trying more painting techniques and interest in acrylic /watercolour and airbrushing ! Eventually this shifted from being just a hobby and fun  to something that became an obsession to create and connect to .  It became my way of communicating and understanding the world around me. 

2. Following that beginning, what led you to choose tattooing as a profession? Was there a key moment when you felt with certainty that this was your path and that you wanted to dedicate yourself to it completely? 

Tattooing felt like the  intersection between fine art and creation , and seeing a product at the end of each day . The key moment wasn’t dramatic—it was gradual. The more I immersed myself in the culture, the more I realized tattooing allowed me to create images that inspired myself and my clientele , and allowed me to travel internationally and combine both ! The more I tattooed the more I wanted to know about technical application/ flow and how I could incorporate my nerd passion into my art !

3. As we explore your works and paintings, we perceive a deep level of study, dedication, and a constant pursuit of refinement in every detail. In relation to that growth, what can you tell us about your preparation and training? How has your learning process evolved over time?

Like many artists, my foundation was built through constant practice. I studied drawing fundamentals—anatomy, composition, contrast, color theory ,, mostly in books or videos,,, Tattooing itself requiring more  technical mastery, which I think originating in a more creative approach took me longer to learn and implement . I started in a short tattoo apprenticeship in eastern Canada ,in a small town shop ,, after a year or so I moved to an apprenticeship for airbrushing on the west of Canada , then from there moved to Banff Alberta in the Rocky Mountains tattooing at a street shop  with alot of international artists in this small ski resort town ! From there I opened my own shop electric Grizzly in Canmore  with friends over a decade ago.  I learn alot from our guest artists and friends that visit from all over  ,,, I find these days I learn the most collaborating with other artist that I look up to and am fortunate enough to work besides! Over time, learning has become more self-directed. I analyze every piece I complete, looking for areas to refine. Growth never really stops; it just becomes more intentional ! 

4. In that artistic evolution, your Aztec style holds a strong and distinctive place within your body of work. Through the use of color, composition, and the dialogue between your paintings and your tattoos, there is a very powerful visual impact. How do you define this style, and which elements do you consider essential when developing it?

The Aztec-inspired work is rooted in symbolism, geometry, and heritage ,,, also highly influenced from gamer culture like Warcraft and Skyrim !  I find it fun creating fantasy/magical characters that I could envision originating in these realms  but also crossed over from ancient cultures and heritage …Composition is everything—balance between bold line work, intricate patterns, and powerful imagery. Contrast and structure create impact, while detail gives it soul. 

5. In addition to your work in the Aztec style, comic art also plays a very relevant role in your career, establishing you as a reference within that visual language. How was the process of incorporating this style into your work? What attracted you to its aesthetics and narrative, and how do you adapt it to both painting and tattooing?

Comics were my first love artistically and reading them  when I was a kid . What I thought was so cool about them was the dynamism—the exaggerated movement, bold contrast and colors storytelling through a single frame.  The stories of heroes and villains captured my imagination and to this day I still collect comkcs and anime ! Translating that into tattooing requires simplifying certain elements while preserving energy and clarity. Whether in painting or tattooing, the goal is the same: strong composition, clean lines, and a lot of saturation and color composition 

6. At this stage of your career, in which city are you currently developing your work? We would like you to tell us about your tattoo studio what the space is like, what identity defines it, and what kind of experience you seek to create for those who enter your artistic universe

I’m working in Canmore , in the Rocky Mountains of western Canada !I’ve owned and operated  Our studio electric grizzly tattoo  for over a decade!our shop is pretty chill, we have always been fortunate to have great artist and crews at the shop ! Usually artist looking for a life in the outdoors but also maybe abit more chill in the mountains ,,,   and looking to expand creatively and artistically ,,, right now on our crew is pretty international we have my buddy Felipe santos tattooing 14 years originating in Brazil   / large scale  black and grey illustrative works , Charlotte Harris originating in the UK / cool cartoon work over 10years tattooing and dooks my trusty  apprentice and close friend  over 4 years neotrad style also originating from the uk !then we have alot of guest artists from across Canada and international visiting throughout the year!  we have alot of art, taxidermy and plant life! a place where artists and  clients feel comfortable and inspired. We  aim to create an experience that feels collaborative. When someone walks in,whether it’s artist or clients  I want them to feel like they’re stepping into a creative space where their vision will be respected and elevated. 

7. Throughout such an active career, we imagine that balancing professional and personal life is essential. How do you organize your time and daily schedule? Is your dedication completely absorbed by your work, or are you able to establish a clear division between your creative universe and your private life?

Tattooing can easily consume your life because it’s both passion bordering on obsession and profession. I try to maintain dedicated design  time but often  tattoo sessions with international and travelling clients can be long days and weeks! Over the years I have learned to set aside  more time for family and personal growth on the weekends and take longer periods of times off throughout the year ..Throughout a normal week  ,,, I try stay active to help offset  the long hours of tattooing And designing , I try to play hockey a few times a week and make time for exercise  . My beautiful wife Beth and our daughter Isla  help me balance art with enjoyment of life! We travel a lot as a family and I try to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the days!  Balance isn’t always perfect, but I’ve learned that stepping away periodically actually strengthens  my art and drive to create! 

8. How is your year unfolding? Do you have established projects, presentations, or convention participations planned for the coming months? grilled chicken salad.

This year is focused on expanding my portfolio, traveling for conventions, and collaborating with other artists and friends! On vacation to Japan for snowboarding this February ,,   Stoked to be travelling Europe in April to gods of ink and then the tattoo cruise later in Spain! Looking forward to doing a few more  collaboration  this year! Finishing a backpiece with my buddy luka lajoie , and starting a new collab with the Malms in Estonia , also doing a anime collab with nick (NJG) later in the fall ,, a lot of the collaborations over the years with artists have been some of my favorite tattoo experiences! I’m also exploring larger-scale projects that combine more comic and nerd based projects with realistic elements ! 

9. For those who would like to get in touch with you or schedule an appointment, what are the available ways to do so? Do you work by prior booking, through social media, or by direct contact with your studio?

I usually try take on new projects a couple times a year ,, def stay tuned for when I post consult or new project upcoming times! .  . Clients can reach out via Instagram or through my email ,,, I prefer consultations before committing to larger projects to ensure alignment in vision and creating what myself and my clients are both stoked on! 

10. To conclude, would you like to share any words of gratitude or a reflection with our readers? Is there any message you consider important to convey to those who follow your journey and value your work?

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who trusts me with their skin and their stories. Tattooing is a shared experience—it’s not just my art, it’s our collaboration. To aspiring artists: stay disciplined, stay humble, and never stop refining your craft. The journey is ongoing. Super appreciative to my family for supporting my career and constantly inspiring my drive and motivation  , through the years! Super grateful for the friends , coworkers and artists I have met along the way, grateful to tattooing as a whole for providing a great  and fulfilling career and life! 

Thanks for your time, Derek turcotte.

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drkturcotte@gmail.com