Chats & Tatts

What is really happening inside tattoo culture right now? In Episode 125 of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with filmmaker Josh Adams, creator of the Skin Deep docu-series. Josh brings a unique perspective as both an avid collector and a documentarian capturing the true essence of tattoo shops around the globe. From getting his first tattoo on a pool table at 14 to filming 12 years of rock tours, Josh shares how he transitioned into documenting legends like Tim Hendricks, Mike Rubendall, and 72-year-old London icon George Bone. Aaron and Josh dive deep into: Why reality TV exploited and distorted tattoo culture. How industry saturation is triggering a "cleansing" that weeds out fake artists. Why analog, human-to-human crafts will always survive the rise of AI and automation. The emotional value of "shitty" memory tattoos vs. high-art bodysuits. "Sometimes your shittiest tattoo is your favorite tattoo because it's way more of a story or a timestamp than just a piece of art." — Josh Adams   CONNECT WITH JOSH ADAMS: Instagram: instagram.com/SkinDeepShow CONNECT WITH AARON & CHATS & TATTS: Chats & Tatts Instagram: instagram.com/chatsandtatts Aaron Della Vedova Instagram: instagram.com/aarondellavedova Official Website: chatsandtatts.com Guru Tattoo: gurutattoo.com Listen on Spotify: Chats & Tatts on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts: Chats & Tatts on Apple Podcasts

What role do tattoos play when life gets impossibly dark? Live from the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena, Aaron Della Vedova sits down with tattoo collector and mental health advocate Koichi to share an deeply moving story of survival and transformation. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22, Koichi faced severe mental health battles before turning to tattooing as a way to physically rebuild his identity. Alongside artist Ricardo Camargo (Zenith Tattoo L.A.), Koichi transformed his body into a canvas of fine art—enduring the process completely sober as a form of grounding meditation. Together, Aaron and Koichi discuss tattoos as psychological armor, physical vs. emotional pain, and finding community through ink. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Live from Golden State Tattoo Expo 02:00 - Diagnosed with Schizophrenia at Age 22 05:30 - Tattoos as Physical Armor & Reinventing Yourself 07:30 - Aaron's Story: The War Veteran's Bodysuit 09:40 - Surviving Dark Times & Finding "First Light" 13:25 - Meds, Stability & Promoting Men's Mental Health 17:30 - Finding Community in the Tattoo Industry 20:45 - No Numbing Cream: Pain as a Teacher & Meditation 25:48 - Physical Pain vs. Emotional Pain 28:30 - What Happens When the Bodysuit is Complete?   CONNECT WITH KOICHI: Instagram: instagram.com/koichimynichi CONNECT WITH AARON & CHATS & TATTS: Chats & Tatts Instagram: instagram.com/chatsandtatts Aaron Della Vedova Instagram: instagram.com/aarondellavedova Official Website: chatsandtatts.com Guru Tattoo: gurutattoo.com Listen on Spotify: Chats & Tatts on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts: Chats & Tatts on Apple Podcasts

What happens when an experienced henna artist and documentary filmmaker steps into custom tattooing? Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Portland-based artist Erika Ryn (Living Ritual Body Arts) to explore the deep connections between ancient body adornment and modern ornamental tattooing. Erika breaks down the sacred history of natural henna, her documentary trips through India and Morocco, the dark side of toxic chemical "black henna," and the reality of navigating Oregon's mandatory tattoo licensing laws.

Are client-prompted AI designs taking over custom tattooing? Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Australian tattooer, shop owner, and podcast host Jake Straat (Rats Get Fat Podcast) to break down the global state of tattooing. From navigating the post-COVID economy to handling clients who run artist flash through ChatGPT, Jake and Aaron discuss the fine line between technical execution and true artistry, modern numbing creams, and why classic watercolor painting remains the ultimate discipline for tattooers. TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 — Introduction & Australian Geography 00:04:00 — Australian Tattoo Styles: Realism, Trad & Japanese 00:08:00 — Post-COVID Economy & The Shift to Smaller Tattoos 00:15:00 — Running a 20-Artist Studio vs. a 2-Man Trad Shop 00:21:00 — The 30-Year Evolution of the Tattoo Industry 00:25:00 — Pricing Differences: USA vs. Australia 00:30:00 — Creating Identity: Tattoos in the Age of Social Media 00:38:00 — AI in Tattooing: Clients Using ChatGPT for Designs 00:45:00 — Will Handmade Art Become a Luxury Flex? 00:52:00 — The Truth About Numbing Creams & Modern Healing 01:15:00 — Why Young Artists MUST Paint Watercolor Flash   QUOTES "Every single client is bringing in AI imagery now... It's no longer Pinterest, it's fucking AI." — Jake Straat "We're at a crossroads right now. Are you technically just going to rip tats and do what's asked of you, or are you going to say, 'No, I'm going to draw something'?" — Jake Straat "I don't think there's a lot of people fighting it as much as I thought there would be... Everyone should be able to do anything they want as long as it doesn't hurt people." — Aaron Della Vedova "The iPad art is cool, but it's just ones and zeros at the end of the day. You're not making an artifact when you create iPad art. Paint more flash." — Jake Straat 📲 CONNECT WITH JAKE STRAAT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/straats_tatts  🎙️ CONNECT WITH AARON & CHATS & TATTS: Instagram: https://instagram.com/chatsandtatts Aaron Della Vedova: https://instagram.com/aarondellavedova Official Website: https://chatsandtatts.com Guru Tattoo: https://gurutattoo.com

In Episode 121 of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Kirk Nilsen—a pioneer of medieval, woodcut, and architectural ornamental tattooing. In this episode, we discuss: • The early days of ornamental blackwork and overcoming industry backlash • Horror stories from 2000s-era apprenticeships (drug dealers, fake papers, and Sink-or-Swim moments) • The trap of defining your personal identity solely by your job • How AI, Procreate shortcuts, and pattern brushes are eroding original art—and why handmade work will ultimately skyrocket in value • The reality behind 14 years of tattoo shop ownership and making the pivot to Charleston, SC Quotes "Everyone hated it... When the ornamental shit started really going off, every tattooer fucking hated it. I was definitely the new young guy everyone fucking hated." — Kirk Nelsen "Handmade things will increase in value because it's going to become rarer and rarer. When clients see artists bragging about AI, they realize: this guy doesn't give a fuck about your tattoo." — Kirk Nilsen "Potential beats talent if talent doesn't work hard. You've got to be God-given to some degree, but if you're working, getting better, and have that little 'it' thing, it's next level." — Kirk Nilsen "Stop trying to be someone else. That's not how it works. Jackson Pollock was Jackson Pollock—he wasn't trying to be the next guy." — Kirk Nilsen "I don't care about owning a business anymore. I don't want to deal with paperwork or people. I just want to draw pictures, tattoo the pictures, and go home." — Kirk Nilsen