TATTOO TALES

With a master’s degree in History and Library Science, Amelia Klem Osterud is recognized as a leading scholar in tattoo history and 19th-century sideshow performers. Author of The Tattooed Lady: A History and contributor to The World Atlas of Tattoo and Tattoo Histories, Amelia just published a new book: The 388 Tattoos of Captain George and the 389 Tales of How He Got Them.   Her new book is fun,...

Escoda is a third-generation family business and an industry icon, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a testament to true craftsmanship, community, and, above all, a profound love for the craft. Backed by some of the world's finest watercolor artists - such as Joseph Zbukvic and Alvaro Castagnet - the Escoda family continues to strive for excellence and innovation, keeping the people who make i...

Eckel’s name speaks for itself. Over the years he inspired countless artists with his drawings, tattoos, and paintings, establishing himself as a main reference in the neotraditional style.  In this fun, honest and inspiring talk we discussed the importance of the artistic journey, the evolution of style, and some details on his personal approach to process, reference and inspiration.      Follow...

Today we sit down with Jason Kundell, a veteran tattoo artist with an inspiring 30-year career. We trace his journey from his roots in Southern California’s skateboarding and graffiti scenes to his foundational years in the Bay Area, with the influence of artists of the caliber of Eddie Deutsche, Marcus Pacheco, Grime and many more.    Jason breaks down the philosophy behind his work, drawing fasc...

Welcome into a captivating journey through the hidden and historical world of Japanese tattooing with journalist, author, and cultural expert, Manami Okazaki.   In this episode, we explore the dramatic evolution of tattoo media, tracing the shift from the expertly curated pages of traditional magazines to the fast-paced landscape of social media. Manami eloquently explains how the profound, artisa...

Step into a humbling reflection on dedication that echoes the slow, deliberate rhythm of the traditional Tebori techniques we discuss. In this episode, I sit down with Roberto Borsi, a traditional Japanese tattoo artist based in Milan, to explore what it truly means to submit to an ancient craft. Roberto breaks down why tattooing is not just a profession, but an immersive lifestyle akin to a marti...

Today, I’m sitting down with Rue from Ruethless Irons for a conversation that gets right to the heart of things. Rue has been in the game since the late 90s, coming up in San Francisco and Amsterdam before finding his true calling in machine building. But we aren't just talking history. This episode is a wake-up call about the current state of tattooing. We get into the quiet corporate takeover ha...

In this episode of Tattoo Tales, I sit down with a man who has spent over three decades navigating the deep waters of our craft with utmost dedication: Pino Cafaro.   This talk felt very inspiring as Pino brings both tradition and a progressive mindset into his work, as he says “Balance beats perfection”. His insights, matured over a long and successful career, can be very helpful to all the commi...

Curious about how to make woodblock prints?   In this episode of Tattoo Tales, I’m joined by Australian artist Terry McKenna, known by his artist name Toraku ("Fun Knife"), who traded oil paints for the traditional Japanese art of Mokuhanga over twenty years ago. From his school in the mountains of Karuizawa, Terry breaks down the intricate world of woodblock printing—from the discipline of his ap...

Get ready for another very nerdy episode into Japanese Folklore. This time we explore the figure of the Tengu, as portrayed in medieval chronicles and scrolls. Not what you’d expect.  Source: The Seven Tengu Scrolls, by Haruko Wakabayashi   Mentioned texts:  -Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) -Kōjaku Monogatari-shū -Hira-no-Kōjin Reitaku -Shūi-ōjōden -Tengu Zushi (scrolls)   (mentioned anime a...

Today I sit down with the wonderful artist Tabby Booth to pick her brain on her evolution as an artist, how she balances creativity with parenthood, and the intuitive way she approaches illustration, painting, and inspiration.   Tabby shares openly about finding her style, navigating collaborations, and building a life around art that feels true, sustainable, and exciting. It’s an honest, heart-wa...

Welcome back. Our guest today is Danish tattoo artist Michelle Vestergård, whose story touches on something we can all relate to: the search for authenticity.   We talk about her unique entry into the tattoo world at 14, but the core of our conversation is about the deeper-level challenges and values that define a career. We get into the search for true mentorship, the importance of maintaining yo...

Join us in a compelling conversation with the legendary Bill Canales. Bill charts his entire professional journey, from discovering tattooing in a magazine in 1991 to becoming a world-renowned artist and educator. We discuss his significant transition into teaching, the importance he places on drawing directly on the skin, the value of constantly challenging yourself, and the fulfillment he finds...

Live from the 2025 Aachen Tattoo Convention—one of the world’s finest tattoo gatherings—we bring you a conversation with the legendary Luke Atkinson. A master of Japanese tattooing with over 40 years of experience, Luke has crossed paths with some of the most influential artists of our time, including Horiyoshi, Filip Leu and many more.    In this episode, Luke shares insights on commitment, the p...

Primordial Magazine is an exciting new project brewing within the tattoo community that blends sci-fi, fantasy, comics and tattoos. Personally I love this kind of initiatives, based on collaboration, skills and vision. It also serves as inspiration for countless others in bringing their own ideas and dreams to life.   Alex De Francesca and Junior explain the birth and various aspects of this proje...

Today’s guest, Kelu, takes us on an inspiring journey that begins in Romania, where he first picked up a tattoo machine, and winds through the vibrant Paris scene of the '90s. He shares tough lessons from old-school apprenticeships and offers insights on the evolution of tattoo styles. Kelu also explains the importance of honoring the art's origins over chasing fleeting trends.   After 30 years, h...

Diamante is a tattoo artist well known for her black work and ornamental style. She also created her own line of clothing and a tattoo supply focused on sustainability. As fellow Italian I can relate to this need for different creative outlets, proper of the Renaissance artist.   It’s been fun, heartwarming and inspiring to spend an afternoon talking about creativity, the power of choices, and her...

Today's guest is Isaac Nichols, a tattooer from Alaska that just finished this commendable project which celebrates folklores, tattooing, and painting. We discussed the motivations and process behind his new book, a little bit of advice for painting and tattooing, and the background story of one of the most celebrated novels in Chinese and Japanese folklore.   Find Isaac on Instagram The Water Mar...

Are you a fan of Japanese traditional painting and tattooing?   In this episode I share my findings on the rigorous training methods of Japanese painters during the Edo and Meiji periods, emphasising how expertise was forged through discipline and observation, not just innate talent. It delves into the traditional apprenticeship system, with the Kano school exemplifying this systematic approach.  ...

Corey is well known worldwide—he’s been tattooing for over 40 years, and his technique and experience are widely respected. Over the course of his long career, he has reached significant personal milestones and professional accomplishments. You might remember him from LA Ink, tattooing James Hetfield, and working closely with legendary artists like Bob Roberts, Jack Rudy, and Mark Mahoney.   What...

One of Australia’s top artists, Alex is one half of the iconic Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney, alongside Ryan Ussher. Well known for his striking large-scale Japanese work, Alex is a highly dedicated and exceptionally productive artist who speaks with intention and clarity about his practice and direction.   In addition to his commitments at the shop and in his artistic practice, Alex is actively inv...

Would you like to learn more about Japanese character like yōkai, Buddhist deities and Kami gods?  Are you interested in finding out where the original stories come from?  How all of that relates to tattooing?  We got you covered.      In this very informative episode with Joshua Frydman, associate professor of Japanese at the university of Oklahoma, specialized in Japanese ancient myths and liter...

Clever doesn’t need much introduction, his career is well known, as his collaborations with artists of the caliber of Juice Wrld, Post Malone and Justin Bieber. In this open-hearted talk we get a glimpse of how music came into his life and topics many of us can relate to. What it means to be a parent for an artist, the responsibility of a creative, his creative process, how to overcome obstacles. ...

Mauro Cardoso, better known as “Mario from the hills”, is a Brazilian tattooer specialized in traditional Japanese tattooing. Also a high level BJJ black belt, Mauro embodies the resilient and flexible spirit of the ‘Arte Suave’, while contributing to the preservation and diffusion of traditional Japanese tattooing through the study and respect of the original sources.    In this inspiring talk he...

Ryan Ussher is one of Australia’s top artists. Together with Alex Rusty he runs Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney, a shop that established itself as a reference in the country. He specializes in large scale Japanese tattooing with emphasis on powerful and evocative imagery.   Beyond craftsmanship he’s considered a reference also for the volume of high quality output, including various collaborations and...