![CHAD KOEPLINGER- The difference between a traveler and a tourist]()
August 19, 2020
When you lose yourself into different cultures of distant countries you re-emerge with a newly found appreciation for the people you met and for all the beautiful nuances that characterize them. A deeper sense of wonder and acceptance. This is the difference between a traveler and a tourist. As a consequence your daily reality takes on a different light, without the need for moving away from it.
With 77 countries visited(tattooed in 34 of them and in all 50 states) Chad is one of the most traveled tattooers I know, to whom I relate deeply with my 10 years spent on the road.
His experience and relevance in the world of American traditional is well known, shaped by the connection with some of the most significant artists worldwide.
In this honest chat I got to peek into what makes him who he is and how his creative process defines his aesthetics. An insightful approach towards flow and authenticity of expression which I hope you’ll find as inspiring and entertaining as I did.
Find Chad on Instagram
Follow the updates on new episodes on @tattootalespodcast and on Stefbastian.com
July 5, 2020
Two creative souls that found each other, this is the beautiful story of Virginia and Stephanie.
They both gained their reputation through years of hard work and dedication at the highest levels of this profession, shoulder to shoulder with the best.
What sets them apart tho is their unique sensitivity, perhaps matured overcoming all the obstacles that life put on their way, and their caring. Caring for their industry; caring for issues that might trouble others, being social, cultural or personal; caring for the person in front of them. Beautiful qualities that can only be amplified by their relationship.
Their kind, spirited and grateful approach to life is what touched me during this enriching afternoon’s talk. I hope you appreciate as I did those two beautiful souls opening up for us.
Find Virginia and Stephanie on Instagram
You can find all the latest updates on new episodes on Instagram and on Stefbastian.com
![ROBERT RYAN- Spirituality, traditional foundations and contract killers]()
June 18, 2020
Some people keep traditions alive, some people push boundaries, others implement their own vision in within a well understood and processed style.
Robert is one of the latter.
He absorbed the foundations of American Traditional over a long career, crossing paths with some icons such as Dan Higgs and Scott Harrison, translating that beautiful codified language of symbols into a mirror facing inward.
His own spiritual practice reflects in his illustrations with the raw power typical of Outsider art and Expressionism, a way to represent reality that goes beyond reality itself.
With many interests and viewpoints in common, the chat with Robert couldn’t have been but awesome. In this episode we touched many topics, from the basics of traditional tattoooing to the implications of spirituality in Robert’s work and life lessons from a seasoned contract killer.
I hope you enjoy :)
Stef Bastiàn
Find Robert on Instagram
You can give us some love on our IG pages Tattoo Tales and Stef Bastiàn and follow updates and projects on Stefbastian.com
May 25, 2020
I remember how I used to look at Shawn’s paintings 10yrs ago, amazed by his masterful use of color, composition and personal interpretation of the subject. A fresh voice in the tattoo world. It’s beautiful to have witnessed his personal artistic trajectory which reflects his own journey of growth and self discovery.
Today Shawn is a mature artist with a sensitive look on life, reflected through his brushes, and a strong voice in the art and tattoo community. It’s been an absolute pleasure to pick the brain of a painter to see how the world looks through his colored spectacles.
Follow Shawn on Instagram and on sdbarber.com
Interview by Stef Bastiàn
May 18, 2020
This episode is part of a series on the history of tattooing in various countries, aiming at preserving the origins of our beloved craft.
Why is important to learn about the past? Studying where we come from allows us to understand where we’re at today, to develop appreciation for what we have and to treat it with respect, going beyond short-sighted personal interests in the eyes of a bigger picture.
Today we have Terry Manton, a retired tattooer from Glasgow that took on the mission of organically searching on Scottish tattooing history and its most influential representatives from the end of 19th century onward. His investigative work is nothing short than impressive, beaten only by his computer-like memory.
I hope you enjoy this 45’ traveling back in time, I surely did.
Find more on Terry’s work on Instagram and Princevallar.co.uk
May 8, 2020
Tattooer, punk rocker, bank robber, surfer, musician... it’s hard to put Shane in a box.
His life could be a movie, a good one, made of passion, defeat, revelations and love. Love for what life is, for the good and for the bad.
In his words there is the honest portrait of a man who learned the most precious lessons the hard way and that is never afraid of being real.
It’s been a privilege to listen to his stories and peek into his big heart.
Find Shane on Instagram
Get his record at Outrorecords
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Host Stef Bastiàn
![HANNAH WOLF- Knowledge is power]()
April 27, 2020
This episode is a bit different from what you’re used to. Dense and informative, it shines a light on a new publication, “The science of tattooing”, and those questions not many of us are really able to answer to.
The author Hannah Wolf is an American tattooer with almost two decades of experience who took on the task of answering those questions. Her new book wants to be a tool for professional tattooers to be better equipped when facing the growing presence of the government in this industry and help shape the future guidelines that will define it.
It’s no mistery the fact that who writes legislations for tattooing has often no specific qualifications and understanding of the business from within nor its best interest at heart. Behind the allegedly public’s safety too often there are economic profits.
It’s up to us to take this matters back in our hands as businesses if we want to avoid being swallowed up by bureaucrats and multinationals. How? Educating ourselves and getting involved.
As Hannah says, knowledge is power.
Find Hannah on Instagram
Find Hannah’s book on thescienceoftattooing.com
Contact: Thescienceoftattooing@gmail.com
European Society of Tattoo and Pigment Research: estpresearch.org
Estp book here
Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram
Host Stef Bastiàn
April 11, 2020
On a beautiful New Zealand summer night in Tapua, with the background of the crickets chirping, I had the pleasure of having a nice chat with Yushi.
He’s on a world tour with his beautiful family and for a coincidence(is there such a thing?) we happened to meet at Gordon Toi’s house, sharing insights on his over 20yrs career and Japanese working ethics.
At the end of the interview I share my 2 cents on how to make the most of this time where we’re globally in lockdown.
I hope you’re all safe and enjoy this talk
Take care :)
Stef Bastiàn
Find YUSHI on Instagram
Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram
Host Stef Bastiàn
February 27, 2020
I’ve been really looking forward to this episode. This year I came back to New Zealand and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to interview a tattooer truly representating the local indigenous culture: the Maori.
Gordon Toi is the man. Over his quarter of a century long career he fought to give Moko back the dignity it deserves, after seeing an involution due to British colonization.
Through the course of this interview I learned about the pride and connection Maori people have with their art forms, their families and their land. Their tattooing can’t be separated from this context, each and every aspect contributes to shape their core identity.
If you want to understand their tattooing, you need to understand their traditions.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did and you bring home a little bit of Gordon and his people’s spirit and passion.
You can follow Gordon on Instagram and on Facebook
Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram
Host Stef Bastiàn
February 5, 2020
At the other very end of the world, Auckland New Zealand, I’ve met with Dean for an honest, refreshing chat.
Dean is one of the finest tattooers this country ever produced and he influenced a whole generation with his incredible Japanese large scale work. His competence and talent are surpassed only by his humbleness, which amplifies his achievements and it’s a trait which sets him apart.
I hope you enjoy the experience and the understanding of a man who navigated this business for 25 years at the highest levels.
You can find Dean on Instagram and at sacredtattooshop.com
Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram
Host Stef Bastiàn
