In this episode of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with renowned tattoo artist Albert Zafra, affectionately known as Zaf. Broadcasting from Gods of Ink in Frankfurt, Germany, Aaron and Zaf delve into the world of tattoo artistry, discussing the significance of personal tattoos over high-value pieces, and the deep connections they forge.

With 20 years of experience, Zaf shares insights on his neo-traditional style and his journey from Barcelona, Spain, while contemplating the evolving landscape of the tattoo industry and future opportunities. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with passion, creativity, and a love for tattoos!

Don’t forget to check out Zaf’s incredible work on Instagram at @ZafTattoo and @AlbertZafra.

Chat Breakdown:

00:01:10 - Introducing Albert Zafra
00:02:46 - Longevity in Tattooing
00:03:19 - Passion vs. Experience
00:05:18 - Imposter Syndrome
00:09:09 - Covering Up Tattoos with Bad Energy
00:12:21 - Tattoo Session Duration and Focus
00:15:08 - Tattoo Preparation and Technique
00:16:08 - What Makes a Great Tattoo
00:17:03 - Flow and Composition in Tattoos
00:17:48 - AI in Tattoo Design
00:26:12 - Anesthesia in Tattooing
00:29:24 - Client Interaction and Design Process
00:33:13 - The Future of Tattooing

Quotes:

"The ones that scare me the most are the ones that think their stuff looks great."

"For me, the shitty tattoos sometimes are more important than the millionaire tattoos, you know? Because have a very good role with your friend, you know? Have a crazy energy, you know?"

"There is a little piece of me that's kind of embarrassed by it. I'm like, is that me? Or is that a computer?"

"The pain makes you strong. You need to embrace the pain. It is part of it."

"In 10 years, we're going to have machines that are going to do the tattoos."

"You are a fucking number. That's the point."

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Connect with Aaron:⁠  

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Connect with Zaf:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/zaf_tattoos