TATTOO TALES

47:36

93. RACHI BLACK THRONE - Powerful tattoos from Australia

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/10/01

Rachel has been tattooing for over 20 years, and she’s one of those people I really enjoy talking tattooing with. She has a lot of experience, a strong point of view, and at the same time a very relaxed, unpretentious way of looking at the craft.In this episode we talk about her beginnings in Australia, the people who influenced her along the way, running Black Throne, and the challenges of being both an artist and a business owner. What I particularly enjoyed about this conversation is Rachel’s

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94:10

92. ALEJANDRO MONEA - Japanese tattooing, the...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/09/22

Alejandro Monea is an incredibly talented artist, a prolific painter, a great draftsman, and, on top of all that, a very sweet human and a friend. I’ve always had a lot of admiration for people who can really draw, and Alejandro is definitely one of those artists who keeps me motivated to get better simply because there’s something to look up to.We recorded this episode while we were at the Kaiserstadt Tattoo Convention in Aachen, and I particularly love this conversation because of how openly

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79:45

91. LIL B - From Chicano to Japanese traditional...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/08/10

Today I sit down with Lil B to trace the global journey, artistic evolution, and mindset shift behind his achievements.From his roots doing graffiti in France and learning fine-line Chicano black-and-gray at the legendary Low Rider Tattoo, to completely reinventing his career in Japan, he shares the grit it takes to start over and establish himself as a respected practitioner of traditional Japanese tattooing and Tebori techniques. In this episode, we dive into: The Pivot to Japanese Style: how he

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53:48

90. CLEMENS HAHN - American traditional tattooing,...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/08/05

As the owner of Truly Yours Tattoo in Mannheim, Germany, and organizer of the Truly Yours Tattoo Fest, Clemens is a tattoo artist respected for his bold, powerful, and creative designs. The convention he organizes quickly rose to international fame among artists and audiences alike as one of the best events of its kind.What I admire most about Clemens, besides his solid skills, is the discipline he brings to his daily routine and his innovative mindset. That allows him to spearhead fresh,

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60:15

89. RAFA DECRANEO - Fun is the source

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/08/01

In this open conversation at Chica Pantera, a new landmark for tattooing in Barcelona,I got to know Rafa a bit more. The creative sources he taps in for his countless projects, his progressive view on styles and shop relationship, and his deep sense of organic contribution. I’m sure you’ll leave this conversation as inspired as I did leaving the shop. Follow Rafa on Instagram Chica Pantera Pull Wave Masters stefbastian.com

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45:22

88. How to navigate a crisis

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/07/24

Burnout. Loss of spark for what we used to love. Lack of motivation and creativity. I have had this conversation a few times recently, this is what I would recommend to get to the other end of a crisis. Recommended books and videos: Joe Dispenza on YouTube - ‘Manifest a new reality with the power of your mind’ (A powerful explanation of how thoughts influence body and reality) Marisa Peer on Ted Talk (How to rewire your brain) ‘Irresistible’ - Adam Alter (Interesting look at how

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47:31

87. AMELIA OSTERUD - The 388 Tattoos of Captain...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/07/03

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, pretty and informative. Beside entertaining with the stories we all like - pirates, circus at the turn

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49:11

86. ESCODA - A labour of love

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/06/17

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 it all possible at the very heart of what they do.On a lovely Spanish morning, I sat down with Giovanna

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76:23

85. ECKEL - Neotraditional tattooing and the artistic...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/05/22

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 Eckel on Instagram stefbastian.com

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65:48

84. JASON KUNDELL - The elusive mastery

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/05/15

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 fascinating parallels between his decades of training in judo and jiu-jitsu and his approach to

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51:45

83. MANAMI OKAZAKI - Japan’s tattoo underworld and...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/04/13

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, artisanal essence of this craft is often distorted by modern online trends, where popularity rarely reflects

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69:45

82. ‘HORIBUDO I’ ROBERTO BORSI - Traditional Japanese...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/04/13

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 martial art that demands lifelong, continuous study. Our conversation traces Roberto's fascinating journey,

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67:17

81. RUETHLESS IRONS - How corporations are taking...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/02/20

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 happening right under our noses, as private equity firms buy up our supply chains to strip and consolidate

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57:19

80. PINO CAFARO - Struggle, balance and the...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/01/26

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 committed artists and tattooers that share the struggles of draftsmanship and the quest to grasp the bigger

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54:18

79. TERRY MCKENNA - The Karuizawa Mokuhanga School of...

TATTOO TALES ·

2026/01/14

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 apprenticeship in Kyoto to the specialized tools like the baren and cherry wood blocks. We dive into

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31:37

78. The Seven Tengu scrolls

TATTOO TALES ·

2025/12/09

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 about Japanese Hell: HOZUKI’S COOLHEADEDNESS)

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51:09

77. TABBY BOOTH - Create for the sake of creating

TATTOO TALES ·

2025/11/21

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-warming conversation with someone who’s carved her own path while staying deeply connected to the joy of

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63:23

76. MICHELLE VESTERGÅRD - Art, healing, and legacy

TATTOO TALES ·

2025/11/05

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 your integrity on social media, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable. Michelle shares a powerful

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94:28

75. BILL CANALES - Challenge yourself

TATTOO TALES ·

2025/11/01

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 in giving back to the community. This episode is a candid reflection on the tattoo industry's

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52:12

74. LUKE ATKINSON - Japanese tattooing at its finest

TATTOO TALES ·

2025/09/23

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 price of knowledge, the value of the process, and the importance of honoring the clients who allow us to

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