Honest Tattooer Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by guest XéU Leite. They dive deep into XéU's tattoo journey that began in a tiny studio in Lisbon and led her to craft her unique style blending medieval and modern designs. The conversation spans topics like the philosophy behind body art, cultural appreciation versus appropriation, e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the podcast, the hosts interview David Santiago, a scalp micropigmentation (SMP) specialist. David shares his journey from being a licensed master barber to becoming an SMP artist, discussing his experiences, training, and techniques involved in the process. He explains the differences between traditional tattoos and SMP, addressing common misconceptions and emp...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano on the latest episode of the On Tattoo Tour Podcast, presented by Tattoo Smart, Tattoo Pro, and Steadfast Tattoo Supplies. Our guest Alyssa McCusker from South Jersey shares her fascinating journey from web developer to tattoo artist, revealing the inspiration and challenges she faced along the way. The discussion dives deep into the realities...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast as we sit down with special guest Chloe, aka Bug Pin Bunny. Hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, we delve into Chloe's tattoo journey, her experiences in the industry, and her unique style of black and grey fine line tattoos. Chloe shares her thoughts on the challenges tattoo artists face, from maintaining work-life bala...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Honest Tattooer Podcast! In this episode, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano, bare joined by special guest Vega. The episode dives into tattoo shop pet peeves, from artist enthusiasm disparities to cleanliness and professionalism concerns. They discuss shop dynamics, the implications of artists doing pop-up events, and how these actions can affect the shop's...

Send us Fan Mail In this  episode of The Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by a special guest, Joe Swanson. Joe shares his extensive journey in the tattoo industry. They discuss Joe's involvement with Tattoo Pro software and its impact on tattoo shops. The conversation delves into the importance of tattoo history, classic designs, and the evolution of tattoo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano, we dive deep into the world of tattoo artistry with our special guest, Christian Perez. We are also joined by old friends Joe Capobiano and Lalo Yunda as we explore various aspects of tattoo culture and industry trends. From the challenges of traveling for tattoo conventions to the impact of AI on...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the Honest Tattooer Podcast features a deep dive with Tony Romel, the man behind Tattoo Society Magazine. Tony shares his journey from working with another tattoo magazine to creating his own successful publication. He talks about the challenges of starting a magazine, the evolution of Tattoo Society, and his experiences traveling to various tattoo conventions aro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Trioapm are joined by special guest Tommy Houlahan, a veteran tattoo artist from Times Square, NYC. They dive into Tommy's extensive tattooing career, his experience working in Times Square, and his perspective on the significant changes in the industry over the years. The discussion takes an intriguing t...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Jon Mesa, Matt Truiano,  as they welcome special guest Matthew Ellis to discuss all things tattooing. From Matt's extensive experience since 1997, his preference for large colorful tattoos, to memorable stories of Star Wars-themed back pieces and the evolution of the tattoo scene, the conversation is full of fascinating insights.  The episode also covers: -the impa...

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Send us Fan Mail The Intersection of Tattooing and Fine Art  | The Honest Tattooer Podcast Welcome back to the Honest Tattooer Podcast! Jon Mesa and G Money sit down with Akos Strener, a renowned tattoo artist from Hungary specializing in black and grey realism, to discuss his unique journey in the tattoo industry. Rener shares his experiences from starting in 1998, drawing inspiration for his pai...

Send us Fan Mail Andi Ink from Chicago and the crew  discuss Andi's journey from apprenticeship to becoming a tattoo artist, her experience with conventions, and the aspects that drive her passion for tattooing. The conversation also touches upon the importance of connecting with clients, the nuances of different tattoo styles, and the exciting news of Andi hosting the Third Coast Tattoo Show...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano sit down with guest Ryan Roi to discuss a wide range of topics. Ryan talks about his recent trip to Costa Rica where he planned a men's retreat alongside tattoo industry legends like Dan kuban and Ben Shaw. The group discusses the concept of balancing masculine and feminine energies, the importanc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano welcome special guest Alena Wedderburn, a talented tattoo artist from Russia. Alena shares her journey in the world of tattooing, from starting in her dorm room to working at prestigious studios and tattooing professional athletes. The conversation covers her experience on Ink Master, techniques for bl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, Jon Mesa and co-host Matt Truiano sit down with their guest, Adam Harmon. Adam shares his journey from apprenticeship to becoming a full-time tattoo artist at Hope Gallery Tattoo in New Haven, Connecticut. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including the challenges of long apprenticeships, the appeal of classic cartoon tatt...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer podcast, Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by special guest Kai Watai, a tattoo artist with 16 years of experience specializing in Polynesian tattoos. Kai shares her journey into tattooing, starting with her apprenticeship at 16, and discusses the cultural significance and evolution of Polynesian tattoos. The conversation covers the histor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, special guest Kirk Nilsen shares his intriguing journey from playing in punk rock bands to becoming a renowned tattoo artist. Kirk, owner of Crown Anchor Tattoo in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, talks about his 17-year career in the tattoo industry, specializing in large-scale ornamental and gothic...

Send us Fan Mail Join Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano, and special guests Lalo Yunda from Colombia and Ozzy Garcia from Puerto Rico in a lively episode of The Honest Tattooer Podcast.   Ozzy shares how his path to specializing in Polynesian tattoos took him from Puerto Rico to New Zealand, working in historic tattoo shops and learning from master artists.  The group  discusses the importance of energy a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Messa and Matt Truiano welcome the talented Magie Serpica, a seasoned tattoo artist with 24 years of experience. Magie discusses her journey from Brooklyn to Staten Island, emphasizing the evolution of the tattoo industry from a flash-based world to specialized art styles. They delve into her experiences at various tattoo c...

Send us Fan Mail Join Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano on the Honest Tattooer Podcast with special guests Ermes, Vega, and Matt Buck. They dive deep into their tattooing experiences and preferences, discussing favorite inks, needles, and machines. The conversation explores the impact of AI on various fields, including tattooing and medicine, and debates the future of the tattoo industry with new artists...

Send us Fan Mail Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by tattoo artists G Money and special guest Gerald Feliciano. Gerald shares his journey from starting as a tattoo artist in Brooklyn in the early 2000s to owning his own shop. He discusses the challenges and growth he experienced, including his early struggles in the Bronx, his transition to a private studio, and the importance of continuously...

Send us Fan Mail Join Jon Mesa, Matt Truiano, G Money, and special guest Nico on this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast. Nico, a fine line tattoo artist based in Brooklyn, NY, shares his journey from apprenticeship to mastering fine line and chrome tattoos. The discussion covers Nico's experiences with his mentor, the significance of understanding light sourcing in tattoos, and the intri...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano on the Honest Tattooer podcast as they dive into an enriching conversation with special guest Eric Whitman. In this episode, Eric shares his journey of 10 years in the tattoo industry, focusing on traditional tattoos and his aspirations to tackle larger illustrative work. The discussion delves deep into Eric’s personal experiences, his spiritua...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, the team chats with special guest Joshua Clark from Sinful Skin in Danielson, Connecticut. With over eight years of experience, Joshua shares his journey into the world of tattooing, his preference for colorful realism and new school styles, and valuable tips for improving tattooing skills. The d...