Send us a text Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the complex world of tattoo pricing with a fun and engaging game called 'Price That Tat.' Join four expert tattoo artists as they reveal their pricing strategies for various tattoo designs. From traditional tigers to minimalist scripts and intricate portraits, our artists discuss their approaches and justify their prices. Whether you're a tattoo enthusiast looking to unders...
Send us a text In this episode, the team interviews Frank Porcelli, tattoo artist and the owner Steadfast Tattoo Supply. Frank shares his journey from New Jersey to Washington, his tattooing experience since 2010, and his preference for traditional tattoos. The conversation dives into the nuances of tattooing styles, the importance of quality tattoo machines and supplies, and the challenges of starting a tattoo supply business. Frank also talks about the differences in tattoo culture between ...
Send us a text In this episode, our guest Alex Coulter shares his first-day experiences in New York City, which includes encountering unique city sights and missing out on an arrest right across from their shop. The conversation transitions into discussing the evolving landscape of tattooing, recounting anecdotes from Alex's journey in the industry, and reflecting on the impact of social media on tattoo artists today. Alex also delves into the challenges and rewards of tattooing, touching upo...
Send us a text Join us as we dive deep into the life and experiences of a tattoo artist in Mexico. From the surprising differences between clientele in Mexico and California to the nuances of surf culture and dealing with language barriers, this episode covers it all. We also explore the world of tattoos from the challenge of starting over in a new country, to the intricacies of running a YouTube channel as a tattoo artist. Discover the trials, tales, and tips from someone who's lived it firs...
Send us a text In this episode, the hosts discuss the recurring issue of flaky podcast guests, debate whether to allow repeat offenders back on the show, and reflect on how tattooing has evolved with the use of AI. They explore how AI is being used to create tattoo concepts, the ethics of copying designs, and new tools such as Photoshop’s 'Harmonize' feature and JotForm's AI agent for managing client communications. The hosts also delve into the importance of learning the fundamentals of art ...
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano welcome a panel of tattoo experts, including Ermis, Matt Buck, and special guest RubenRiksfjord from Copenhagen's. Ruben shares his extensive experience in black and gray realism, discussing the nuances between tattooing in New York and Copenhagen, his approach to composition and layering, and the evolution of his style over 14 years of tattooing. The panel also gives detailed critiques on listener-...
Send us a text Welcome back to the Honest Tattoo Podcast! Hosted by Jon Mesa and co-host Matt Truiano, this episode features special guests Philip from Germany and Chelly from Central Florida. They discuss their backgrounds in tattooing and delve into Philip's groundbreaking innovation in tattoo stencils, Standstill. Philip shares his journey of developing a stencil transfer paper made from polymeric alcohol—originally designed for medical purposes—that promises precision and safety in tattoo...
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano sit down with special guests Rah from the Gold Coast, Australia, and Michael Getz from Des Moines, Iowa. The group dives into a wide range of topics from effective marketing strategies for tattoo artists, particularly when relocating, to the role of creativity and fine art in tattooing. They explore the potential impact of AI and technological advancements in the industry and discuss the importance ...
Send us a text 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, experiences with botched tattoos, and new trends such as robot tattoo machines. The episode also features...
Send us a text 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 emphasizing the importance of proper training. Throughout the episode, David touches on the emotional ...
Send us a text 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 of the tattoo industry, including financial misconceptions and the evolving landscape of tattooing ...
Send us a text 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 balance to evolving as an artist while creating memes We also touch on the importance of posting healed work...
Send us a text 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 business. They also explore the impact of AI on various industries and make predictions about its future...
Send us a text 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 technology. They also touch on regulatory changes affecting the industry and the significance of su...
Send us a text 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 the art world, this episode covers it all. We discuss the importance of authentic connections over...
Send us a text 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 around the world. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of the tattoo community, the differenc...
Send us a text 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 turn as they explore the impact of religious and demonic imagery in tattoos, the spiritual significance b...
Send us a text 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 impact of oversaturation in the industry, -hard vs. soft -the personal connections f...
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Send us a text 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 paintings from his tattoo career, and navigating the conventions of modern and digital art. The ...