Fireside Tattoo Podcast

In this episode of The Fireside, Jake sits down with Peter Mohrbacher — celebrated digital painter, character designer, and creator of the stunning Angelarium series. Peter shares how a nerdy teenager obsessed with anime and video games became one of the most recognizable names in fantasy illustration, with work spanning Magic: The Gathering, indie art shows, and a thriving freelance career built...

Liz Cook is a tattoo artist, educator, color formulator, and all-around nerd — and this episode covers a lot of ground. We talk about how she got into education, her journey with Eternal Ink and Ever After, navigating corporate tattooing and government regulation, imposter syndrome, burnout, AI tools, and why posting only finished work might be hurting your brand. Liz also previews what she'll be...

David Shavitz is back — and a lot has changed since his first appearance on the show. What started as a quiet hint about a tattoo apprenticeship has turned into one of the most unconventional learning journeys in the tattoo world. Instead of sweeping floors at a shop, David is traveling the country spending weeks with world-class tattooers like Jacob Sheffield — hand-picked by his mentor Colt of E...

Join us on Jesse's Live Technique Talk with the Inside Fireside Tattoo Club on 1/16/2026 https://firesidetattoo.com/product-details/product/jesse-rix-technique-talk-tix Keep up with Jesse at the links below https://www.instagram.com/jesse_rix/ https://www.jesserix.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you...

My special guest today is Alex De Pase, a name synonymous with innovation in the tattoo industry. Alex, along with Gabe Ripley and others, has been involved in transformative ventures like the Venetian Tattoo Gathering and recently the International Tattoo Federation (ITF). The ITF —a real federation, not just another association or collective. aims to set global standards in tattooing, a much-nee...

Welcome back to another Fireside Technique Talk, where we dive deep into the technical aspects that separate good from exceptional tattooing. In this session with Cooper, we explored the fundamentals of color layering. Cooper shared essential insights into overcoming the technical barriers that keep many artists confined to smaller scale work, providing practical strategies for confidently transit...

Have you ever wondered how your artistic style develops over time? Greg "Craola" Simpkins, a revered name in both graffiti circles and the painting industry, shares his fascinating journey from street art to creating surrealistic canvases. In this episode, we dive into how his distinctive style evolved, the nuances of balancing creativity in graffiti and painting, and practical insights for artist...

Rich walked us through his 25-year journey from scrappy home tattooer to the artistic powerhouse he is today, sharing real insights about finding your voice in this industry. This episode covers everything from the grind of finding apprenticeships back in the day to his current process of creating multiple design versions and building that creative environment for his family. Trust me, whether you...

Hey Friends! We just had another great conversation featuring the incredibly talented Timmy B, and let me tell you, this interview is packed with some serious tattoo gold. This new school powerhouse breaks down everything from his evolution as an artist to the nitty-gritty of color theory that'll blow your mind.  We're talking about collaboration, the challenges of sleeve composition, and why some...

Don't miss Yomico teaching at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Academy this October. You can get tickets at https://richmondtattooconvention.com/academy/ You can keep up with Yomico at https://www.instagram.com/yomicoart/ https://yomicoart.com/ Thanks to our sponsor Tattoo Trunk. Take 10% off your bundle with the code Fireside https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice...

Keep up with David Cheifetz at the links below https://www.davidcheifetz.com/ https://www.instagram.com/davidcheifetz/?hl=en Get your tickets to the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Academy https://richmondtattooconvention.com/academy/ Thanks to TattooTrunk for sponsoring today's episode Take 10% off your Trio or Quad set at https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Clic...

Thanks to our newest partner Tattoo Trunk for making this episode possible! Get 10% off your Tattoo Trunk order with the code FIRESIDE at checkout https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Keep up with Patrick Paul O'Neil at https://www.instagram.com/the_burning_jewel/ We've got another Inside Fireside Tattoo Club sneak preview for you today! This time it's with a real friend of the podcast Patrick Paul O'Neil...

Thanks to our newest partner Tattoo Trunk for making this episode possible! Get 10% off your Tattoo Trunk order with the code FIRESIDE at checkout https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Hey, what's going on, everybody? In today's mind-bending interview with geometric master Dillon Forte we'll be diving deep into his meticulous approach to geometric tattoo designs. This guy has some serious ideas about sacre...

Alright folks, we've got something special for today as we dive into the mind of Corey Bernhardt! A true artist who's not afraid to wear his influences on his sleeve. When Corey came by the Inside Fireside Club, he brought decades of artistic evolution that shaped his unique approach to technique - from those early comic book days to his masterful command of tattoo machines.  Corey breaks down his...

In the evolving world of tattoo aftercare, understanding the science behind healing can make all the difference in preserving your artwork for decades. When we talked with Don Ranns, we dug into how inflammation affects tattoo healing and why ingredients like CBD are showing promising results for reducing redness and irritation during the critical first days after getting inked.  The shift from pe...

What's up everyone, I just had the opportunity to sit down with the incredibly talented Levi Hilton, a recommendation from our friend Patrick O'Neal, and it turned out to be one of the best episodes we've recorded in quite a while. Levi shared his journey from Louisiana to San Diego, diving deep into how animation influenced his unique tattoo style and the importance of understanding how designs i...

We're diving deep into the world of Gifford Kasen! An artist who didn't just learn tattooing, but breathed it, challenged it, and transformed through relentless curiosity. From punk rock flyers to intricate large scale biomech designs, to incredible fine art, this is about breaking down artistic barriers and finding your own voice in a world that's constantly trying to box you in.  Every technical...

The tattoo industry has always been about overcoming obstacles, but few challenges hit as hard as finding the right space to call home. When we caught up with Robyn and Ty Pallotta at the Star of Texas Tattoo Convention, their story of facing 20+ rejections from property managers struck a chord that many artists can relate to.  Their journey from a private studio to fighting antiquated lease stipu...

Join Gabe and Jake for their live joint seminar and critique below: https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/fstxtn Lately I've been hearing a lot of chatter about tattoo shops struggling with slower bookings and more cancellations than usual. It's got me thinking about how we can adapt and keep our shops thriving in these challenging times. That's why I sat down with industry veteran Gabe Ripley to dig...

The intersection of technology and tattooing has always fascinated me, which is why I was particularly excited to dive into a recent conversation with Russ Abbott about the evolution of Tattoo Smart. From its humble beginnings as a digital marketplace in 2016 to its current position at the forefront of tattoo design innovation, Russ's journey reflects the larger transformation happening in our ind...

Tattoo studios are evolving, and so is the technology that supports them. In todays episode of the podcast, Nate Laff, co-founder of Rev 23, discusses the journey of modernizing tattoo management software, transitioning from a Windows desktop platform to a streamlined cloud-based and mobile app solution.  By focusing on essential features like client management, release forms, and supply tracking,...

Something a little different this time around. We're not talking to another tattoo artist today - we're diving deep with Jenny Chambers, a serious tattoo collector who's got stories that'll make you see this whole world differently. In the current tattoo climate, it's not just about finding an artist who can slap some ink on you - it's about building relationships, understanding the craft, and res...

In this episode, Edgar Marquez breaks down his unique freehand tattooing style, explaining how ditching stencils has allowed him to create more fluid, dynamic designs with intense focal points. He shares insights on balancing texture and value, harmonizing new tattoos with existing work, and the importance of observing tattoo masters to evolve as an artist. Edgar also opens up about managing clien...

The tattoo industry is undergoing significant transformation, facing challenges from medical scrutiny to economic shifts. Concerns about health risks and heavy metals in tattoo inks have long plagued the industry, prompting ongoing debates about safety and perception. Despite these challenges, tattoo artists continue to innovate and defend their craft. Durb Morrison and Jake take some time at the...

Sign up for Guy's Coverup Workshop: https://tattoos.social/reinventing-the-tattoo-coverup-webinar Join the Inside Fireside Tattoo Club https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/inside-fireside   Join Reinventing the Tattoo: https://www.reinventingthetattoo.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tatt...