TATTOO TALES

Tony has been tattooing for over 50 years, longer than many of us have been alive. Just for that he deserves huge respect.  

A tattoo godfather in Australia, he’s well known in the community worldwide, crossing paths over his long career with institutions of this craft such as Lyle Tuttle, Cliff Raven, George Bone, Lal Hardy, Doc Price, Terry Wrigley and the list goes on and on. 

Listening to him recollecting the magic of other times with a passion that hasn’t changed a bit in over half century is an absolute gift. 

I hope you’ll enjoy this short but precious talk as I did, in the words of old timers we find tattooing in its purest form.

 

Follow Tony on Instagram

The illustrated man

 

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I have a lot in common with Jason, most of all a restless spirit that brought us both to travel the world for years in search of that ”something” we couldn’t name. 

Years down the line Jason is a more mature man and artist with a newly found sense of purpose. With this interview I wanted to get you to see what I see in him, that special sensitivity that sets him apart, a sensitivity that finds expression in his art and his words.

I feel lucky for having him opening up for us and sharing some personal struggles and insights that go way beyond tattooing. Insights that perhaps can help us reflect on how we can live a healthier emotional life and love ourselves a little more. 

SPOILER: A few very good book recommendations in the end by the avid reader such as Jason is 👌🏼

Find Jason on Instagram

 

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In New York the name Bakaty and Tattooing are two sides of the same coin and the city knows it well. 

A second generation tattooer, Mehai watched his father Mike, respected and loved legend in the Lower East Side, practicing the craft since he was four years old. At the age of 11 he was making needles for the family business that operated underground throughout the long ban that made tattooing illegal in NY for over 30 years. 
Surrounded by the most iconic figures in the history of the Bowery, Mehai absorbed and still embodies that true spirit of craftsmanship, connection and respect of traditional values that are getting more and more rare to find. 

His shop FINELINE as today is the longest running studio in the city and that alone speaks volumes. 

It was an absolute honor to share an afternoon with a truly dedicated and grounded gentleman, representing the best side of tattooing. 

Find Mehai on Instagram

Follow the shop on Instagram and at finelinetattoo.com

 

 

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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

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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

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 

 

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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

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

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

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

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Host Stef Bastiàn