413.6K
Downloads
83
Episodes
Go to the roots, not to the fruits. I’m your host, Stef Bastiàn, tattooer with over twenty years of experience, traveler, painter, coach. Join me to improve your artistic, personal and professional journey through the stories and insights of inspiring guests, within and outside the tattoo world. Learn more about my different projects and programs at https://www.stefbastian.com/
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Primordial Magazine is an exciting new project brewing within the tattoo community that blends sci-fi, fantasy, comics and tattoos. Personally I love this kind of initiatives, based on collaboration, skills and vision. It also serves as inspiration for countless others in bringing their own ideas and dreams to life.
Alex De Francesca and Junior explain the birth and various aspects of this project, in a conversation that dives into topics such as creativity, the importance of presence, inspiration and the power of collaborative projects.
The project’s Instagram
Support the project on Kickstarter
Alex Instagram
Junior Instagram
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Today’s guest, Kelu, takes us on an inspiring journey that begins in Romania, where he first picked up a tattoo machine, and winds through the vibrant Paris scene of the '90s.
He shares tough lessons from old-school apprenticeships and offers insights on the evolution of tattoo styles. Kelu also explains the importance of honoring the art's origins over chasing fleeting trends.
After 30 years, he's trading his tattoo machine for a paintbrush, a transition he sees as a new chapter of creative freedom and authenticity.
Kelu's words are a testament to artistic resilience, revealing how true fulfillment comes from a willingness to evolve and find a new creative purpose.
Follow Kelu on Instagram
Kelu’s paintings
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Diamante is a tattoo artist well known for her black work and ornamental style. She also created her own line of clothing and a tattoo supply focused on sustainability. As fellow Italian I can relate to this need for different creative outlets, proper of the Renaissance artist.
It’s been fun, heartwarming and inspiring to spend an afternoon talking about creativity, the power of choices, and her own very approach built on the human connection, a foundation of her process.
I gotta say, with her bright and positive energy, it couldn’t be easier to talk to her.
Find more about Diamante on Instagram
Book a time with her
[The volumes on Japanese mythology mentioned in the episode are part of the series ‘Gods of medieval Japan’ by Bernard Faure]
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Today's guest is Isaac Nichols, a tattooer from Alaska that just finished this commendable project which celebrates folklores, tattooing, and painting.
We discussed the motivations and process behind his new book, a little bit of advice for painting and tattooing, and the background story of one of the most celebrated novels in Chinese and Japanese folklore.
Find Isaac on Instagram
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Are you a fan of Japanese traditional painting and tattooing?
In this episode I share my findings on the rigorous training methods of Japanese painters during the Edo and Meiji periods, emphasising how expertise was forged through discipline and observation, not just innate talent. It delves into the traditional apprenticeship system, with the Kano school exemplifying this systematic approach.
The discussion also highlights numi geiko, a proactive pursuit of knowledge beyond formal lessons, exemplified by Kyosai's intense training and his broad integration of diverse influences.
The examples of these masters can help you integrate training methods in your own practice to improve and sharpen your skills.
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Corey is well known worldwide—he’s been tattooing for over 40 years, and his technique and experience are widely respected.
Over the course of his long career, he has reached significant personal milestones and professional accomplishments. You might remember him from LA Ink, tattooing James Hetfield, and working closely with legendary artists like Bob Roberts, Jack Rudy, and Mark Mahoney.
What stands out as the main theme, though, is his deep connection with people—a pattern I’ve noticed both in my own journey and in the stories of other seasoned artists.
Once you reach certain professional and artistic goals, you realise it all boils down to the most basic, meaningful things: friends, family, people.
Corey’s experience and progressive attitude can inspire us to keep our heads up during turbulent times, overcome obstacles, and honour the responsibility we carry as tattooers.
Follow Corey on Instagram
News, mentoring and shop: stefbastian.com
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
One of Australia’s top artists, Alex is one half of the iconic Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney, alongside Ryan Ussher. Well known for his striking large-scale Japanese work, Alex is a highly dedicated and exceptionally productive artist who speaks with intention and clarity about his practice and direction.
In addition to his commitments at the shop and in his artistic practice, Alex is actively involved with the Tattooists Guild, working to positively influence the future of tattooing in Australia.
In this episode, Alex spoke to us about his upbringing in Sydney’s tough environment, shared insights and advice on the technical aspects of his tattooing and painting, and explained the importance of helping shape the future of tattooing regulation.
Find Alex on Instagram
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Would you like to learn more about Japanese character like yōkai, Buddhist deities and Kami gods?
Are you interested in finding out where the original stories come from?
How all of that relates to tattooing?
We got you covered.
In this very informative episode with Joshua Frydman, associate professor of Japanese at the university of Oklahoma, specialized in Japanese ancient myths and literature, we dive into the origins of Japanese mythology and folklore. Shintoism, Buddhism, Chinese influence, philosophical/cultural implications and more.
Welcome to the nerd side of tattooing :)
13:43 Overview of Japan’s development
16:46 Religious systems in Japan
23:36 Syncretism of Japan
24:16 Kami and Gods
33:10 Seductivity and danger nature
39:40 Oni
42:07 Differences with Western folklore
44:38 Susanoo and Amaterasu
48:40 Not a definite answer
53:39 Godzilla modern myth
55:28 A fluid religion
1:01:05 Reading recommendations
1:04:30 Mythological names to real animals
1:06:21 Kannon’s example
Joshua’s book:
‘THE JAPANESE MYTHS: A GUIDE TO GODS, HEROES AND SPIRITS’
Stef’s Instagram
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Clever doesn’t need much introduction, his career is well known, as his collaborations with artists of the caliber of Juice Wrld, Post Malone and Justin Bieber.
In this open-hearted talk we get a glimpse of how music came into his life and topics many of us can relate to. What it means to be a parent for an artist, the responsibility of a creative, his creative process, how to overcome obstacles.
Regardless of the specific fields we apply ourselves to - music, tattooing or anything else for that matter - we all go through the same things, each in our own way. Resistance, inspiration, priorities, identity, contribution.
As with all previous guests, Clever’s words can give us a little insight in this thing called life.
Follow Clever on Instagram
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Mauro Cardoso, better known as “Mario from the hills”, is a Brazilian tattooer specialized in traditional Japanese tattooing. Also a high level BJJ black belt, Mauro embodies the resilient and flexible spirit of the ‘Arte Suave’, while contributing to the preservation and diffusion of traditional Japanese tattooing through the study and respect of the original sources.
In this inspiring talk he shares with us some funny travel stories, the discovery of authentic reference, his experiences with Ivan Szazi and Horikyo and his take on traditions.
Find Mauro on Instagram