TATTOO TALES

Chris Fernandez is a tattooer specialized in American Traditional with a solid, distinctive style. He’s not only incredibly productive but, as everyone working with him at the prestigious King’s Avenue in New York, also committed to a standard of excellence, in the process as much as in the result.   In this talk, which I really enjoyed, he told us about the road that got him to where he is, his p...

Tammy Kim is an Australian tattoo artists who worked and lived in Toronto for the last 15 years, and is now transitioning into an exciting new phase of her career. She traveled the world, collaborating with major artists and brands, to shape a vision that is unique to her. Her story is a very inspiring one to all of us trying to connect with a deeper sense of authenticity and striving to constantl...

Clay has been tattooing for 35 years, crossing path with some of the biggest names in tattooing. His passion for the craft brought him to explore every aspect of the process, witnessing the change that tattooing went through as it opened to a wider audience globally. We talked about these changes, as Clay enters a new phase of his life, having to deal with a sudden visual impairment which brought...

Paula is an experienced British tattooer that I’m lucky to call a friend. She’s sensitive, intelligent, driven and curious, a beautiful mix. We had many interesting talks, as we share various passions, especially the love for reading, so I thought it would be a shame not to share one of them. Today we touched on many topics, from gender gaps, to psychedelics, to technology and emotional intelligen...

Another great live episode from the Aachen Tattoo convention, one of the best shows on the planet. Today’s guest is Alex Reinke: Horiyoshi III former apprentice; exhibitions curator; owner of the iconic publishing company Kofuu Senju Publications (now KŌSEI publications) and zen practitioner. He also creates beautiful ceramics and handmade Tebori tools, a full renaissance man. With his extensive k...

If you’re into Japanese tattooing, especially in relation to its cultural connotations, you’re gonna love this one.   Dave is a tattooer specialized in Americana and Japanese with extensive international experience. His passion for gardening - he works with the Denver Botanic Garden on cultivating their renowned Japanese garden program, as well as maintaining the trees of Hakubai Zen Temple in Bou...

I have know Capex for about 15 years now, we clicked right away at a show in Finland, as we come from the same place in Italy.  With his 30+ years of experience he’s one of those characters from a different time in tattooing, with working ethics, humor, resilience and love for the craft at the forefront of everything he does.  I’m happy to introduce him to you and, if you ever pass by him in a sho...

Horiten the 1st is a female traditional tattooer from Nara, Japan. In this honest and enlightening talk she shed some light on what creates authentic Irezumi, the qualities that can help in this path and the value of Horikyo’s legacy. Her words are a beautiful manifesto about the way art relates to the core identity of the culture that produced it.   Big thanks to Maur Tattooing for creating the c...

I love Zac. We met years ago during one of his guest spots and I remember him having the same qualities that characterize him today: well articulate, talented, dedicated, always trying to make every word count. The difference between then and now is that, apart from increasing even more his artistic abilities and experience, he created a publishing company that is a reference in the tattoo world:...

What makes up a successful career? It takes vision, courage, confidence and a few more ingredients. Today Big Meas, a global reference in the world of lettering, shares with us what brought him where he is today. He talks about the importance of cultivating not only the tecnical aspect but also, and perhaps more importantly, the human connection. You can find Big Meas on Instagram and at bigmeas.c...

With 30 years of tattooing under his belt and an intimate knowledge of Japanese culture, Crez is a reference in Italy for Japanese tattooing.  What I like about him the most, beside his expertise, is his genuine honesty and coherence, uncommon values that I personally treasure. In this cozy December afternoon we talked about what shaped him into the man he’s today; ethics within tattooing; how to...

It’s been a privilege to sit down with Claudia De Sabe in this beautiful autumn afternoon to listen to her story and pick her brain on her own process. Over the course of this interview we learn how the beautiful work we all love her for is second only to her mindset. Unweavering work ethic, resolve and dedication are the foundations of her success, the same stuff greatness is made of.    Recorded...

I’m really happy to have had the chance to chat with Swasthik, she is such a beautiful presence in the tattoo world. Known as gunga_ma, for Swasthik tattooing runs deep in her blood. Her grandma, called Paccai Kutta Ma (tattoo mama), has been sticking and poking tattoos for over 40 years. Together with the spiritual practice she inherited growing up, she has been exposed from a young age to sacred...

Have you ever struggled with feelings of inadequacy? Self-doubt? Do you set impossible standards that bring anxiety when unmet?  Dr. Sophie Mort is here to help.   Sophie is a clinical psychologist with a master’s in neuroscience, Her work with the science of habit has helped many understand the patterns of behaviour that get you in your own way. In this episode packed with practical tips, she shr...

“Influential. “Pioneer”. “Contribution”.   These are the words that you see most commonly associated with Marcus’ name in books, magazines and when talking to veteran tattooers.     A great influence, Marcus started experimenting in the 90’s, with a few others, to find a new take on subject and tecnique in tattooing. And so, Newschool was born. An innovative approach to color, design, composition,...

Lorena Morato is a Brazilian tattooer specialized in neotraditional. Well known not only for her tattoos but also her beautiful paintings, Lorena shares with us how she came to reinvent herself, rediscovering a new sense of authenticity which is well transmitted in her art. I have personally found great value in her journey and I’m sure you can derive a sense of direction, especially in relation t...

Have you ever had problems with your neck, lower back, tingling fingers that lose sensitivity, wrist or elbow? Especially as tattooers we all had to deal with some of these at some point and in the worst cases we have been forced to take time off due to the pain. As with many other things, knowledge is power. If we want to keep doing what we love for a long time it’s better that we know the causes...

Do you like to paint? Have you ever struggled with any part of the process and wish you had some sort of guidance?   This week’s episode features Kelly Anne Powers, third generation artist and host of the Learn to Paint podcast. In her show Kelly talks to some of the best painters in the world, sharing with her audience their process, systems and insights, fruit of decades of practice.   I have re...

Pascal Bagot is a French journalist who’s been writing for specialized press for twenty years. His passion for Japanese culture led him to get a full backpiece by Horitoshi I and cross paths with other legends such as Horiyoshi III, Gifu Horihide, Horitada and more.  In 2017 he decided to venture into the world of Akimitsu Takagi, a journey that will eventually take the form of a beautiful book en...

Rinto celebrated this year his 40 years career. In Holland he’s well known as one of the old timers but, if you met him, you know that his humbleness matches his experience and dedication.    Natural born storyteller, Rinto shared with us some grounding words, valuable especially to young tattooers in this age where the digital medias shape the distribution of information. Some of those things you...

Like many of you I have been following Timothy’s career for many years, getting lost in his beautiful impossible worlds. I’m naturally fascinated by good draftsmanship, but Tim’s paintings go beyond that.   Apart from the privilege of peeking into his studio, filled with sketches, artworks and painting supplies, I feel grateful for his insights about inspiration and the way we look at things. Obse...

Eddy has been part of the tattoo Renaissance in the San Francisco area in the 90’s, together with other key figures like Freddy Corbin, Juan Puente, Scott Sylvia, Marcus Pacheco… it’s because of him that a whole trend started and evolved in countless interpretations. As the motto of this show says, “Go to the roots, not to the fruits”, we want to honor who paved the way for us. By discovering thei...

If you follow Shane you’re familiar with his work: bold, striking, elegant in its simplicity. His painting a reference in the industry.  I recommend you to meet him and his crew if you cross them at some convention, you won’t be disappointed. What I like most of Shane is his ethics and his contagious energy, which make his tattooing 100 times better. Today was great to have a laugh with him and a...

Are you interested in tattoo history? Get your pen and notebook because this episode is packed with goodies. Once again live at the Aachen’s tattoo convention, I had the pleasure of sharing an afternoon with Michelle Myles from Daredevil Tattoo.  Her professional journey goes all the way back to the days of New York’s ban on tattooing. As she crossed path with some true legends in the business - s...

What do podcasts bring to the tattoo world? What to do with haters? Will Andrew produce Nick’s new career into the videoverse? And will I ever try Nick’s power barbecue?    I sat with Andrew Stortz and Nick Swartz, hosts of the two best tattoo podcasts around, to answer these and other deep philosophical questions.  Find Nick’s podcast on Instagram  and Spotify Find Andrew’s podcast on Instagram  ...