Show Notes
The tattoo industry has undergone significant transformations in safety and professionalism since the 1960s and 70s, largely due to the efforts of key advocates for health regulations and training. In those early days, tattooing practices were far from the standards we consider safe and professional today. Artists often worked without gloves, used unsanitary equipment, and operated in environments that lacked basic health standards. For example, it was common for tattoo artists to dip sponges into metal buckets of water to clean the skin—a practice that would be deemed unacceptable by today's standards.
In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Cathy Montie, a pivotal figure in this transformation, who shares her experiences from those early years, highlighting the chaotic and often unsafe conditions under which tattoos were performed. She recounted how her husband, Gil Montie, tattooed in their living room and later in a makeshift studio within an oil change shop, illustrating the lack of formal training and regulation at the time.
Tune in for an insightful look at tattoo history and the ongoing commitment to safety and professionalism in the industry.
Chat Highlights:
00:01:06 - Introduction 00:01:06 - Evolution of Tattooing from the 60s to Today 00:01:28 - Importance of Safety in Tattoo Industry 00:02:28 - Challenges of Regulating Tattoo Industry 00:03:31 - Cathy Montie's Bloodborne Pathogen Course 00:06:01 - Moving to Vegas and Tattooing with Doc Dog 00:09:03 - Tattoo Shows and Traveling Lifestyle 00:12:39 - Tattoo Forefathers 00:14:32 - Tattooing on the Carnival Circuit 00:18:14 - Working on the Movie Bound for Honor 00:19:16 - Evolution of Fake Tattoos in Movies 00:20:27 - Influence of Movies on Tattoo Culture 00:22:26 - Early Safety Practices and Needle Sterilization 00:25:01 - Tattooing in the Early 90s in Los Angeles 00:27:14 - Working with Freddy at Ratatatoo 00:29:30 - Leaving Ratatatoo and Moving to Isla Vista 00:32:31 - Opening Absolute Tattoo in San Diego 00:40:13 - Benefits of Retractable Cartridges 00:42:14 - Kathy's Role in Regulatory Changes 00:43:54 - Current Issues with Ink Regulations in Europe and the US
Quotes:
"How many of you out there would be going into tattoo shops and getting all these tattoos if they were run like they were run in the 60s?"
"How crazy is that? Just grabbing someone's bare skin with your hands and cutting into them with a tattoo machine."
"All it takes is a handful of really bad shops, somebody gets sick, somebody gets hurt, and now we've got some major problems on many levels."
"To enjoy our business. We are in the most amazing business we could be in, working with the public."
Stay Connected:
Chats & Tatts: Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts
Connect with Aaron: Aaron IG: http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com
Connect with Cathy: IG: https://www.instagram.com/cathymontie_bbp
More from Chats & Tatts
What role do tattoos play when life gets impossibly dark? Live from the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena, Aaron Della Vedova sits down with tattoo collector and mental health advocate Koichi to share an deeply moving story of survival and transformation. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22, Koichi faced severe mental health battles before turning to tattooing as a way to physically rebuild his identity. Alongside artist Ricardo Camargo (Zenith Tattoo L.A.), Koichi transformed his body into a canvas of fine art—enduring the process completely sober as a form of grounding meditation. Together, Aaron and Koichi discuss tattoos as psychological armor, physical vs. emotional pain, and finding community through ink. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Live from Golden State Tattoo Expo 02:00 - Diagnosed with Schizophrenia at Age 22 05:30 - Tattoos as Physical Armor & Reinventing Yourself 07:30 - Aaron's Story: The War Veteran's Bodysuit 09:40 - Surviving Dark Times & Finding "First Light" 13:25 - Meds, Stability & Promoting Men's Mental Health 17:30 - Finding Community in the Tattoo Industry 20:45 - No Numbing Cream: Pain as a Teacher & Meditation 25:48 - Physical Pain vs. Emotional Pain 28:30 - What Happens When the Bodysuit is Complete?
What happens when an experienced henna artist and documentary filmmaker steps into custom tattooing? Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Portland-based artist Erika Ryn (Living Ritual Body Arts) to explore the deep connections between ancient body adornment and modern ornamental tattooing. Erika breaks down the sacred history of natural henna, her documentary trips through India and Morocco, the dark side of toxic chemical "black henna," and the reality of navigating Oregon's mandatory tattoo licensing laws.
Are client-prompted AI designs taking over custom tattooing? Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Australian tattooer, shop owner, and podcast host Jake Straat (Rats Get Fat Podcast) to break down the global state of tattooing. From navigating the post-COVID economy to handling clients who run artist flash through ChatGPT, Jake and Aaron discuss the fine line between technical execution and true artistry, modern numbing creams, and why classic watercolor painting remains the ultimate discipline for tattooers. TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 — Introduction & Australian Geography 00:04:00 — Australian Tattoo Styles: Realism, Trad & Japanese 00:08:00 — Post-COVID Economy & The Shift to Smaller Tattoos 00:15:00 — Running a 20-Artist Studio vs. a 2-Man Trad Shop 00:21:00 — The 30-Year Evolution of the Tattoo Industry 00:25:00 — Pricing Differences: USA vs. Australia 00:30:00 — Creating Identity: Tattoos in the Age of Social Media 00:38:00 — AI in Tattooing: Clients Using ChatGPT for Designs 00:45:00 — Will Handmade Art Become a Luxury Flex? 00:52:00 — The Truth About Numbing Creams & Modern Healing 01:15:00 — Why Young Artists MUST Paint Watercolor Flash
In Episode 121 of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Kirk Nilsen—a pioneer of medieval, woodcut, and architectural ornamental tattooing. In this episode, we discuss: • The early days of ornamental blackwork and overcoming industry backlash • Horror stories from 2000s-era apprenticeships (drug dealers, fake papers, and Sink-or-Swim moments) • The trap of defining your personal identity solely by your job • How AI, Procreate shortcuts, and pattern brushes are eroding original art—and why handmade work will ultimately skyrocket in value • The reality behind 14 years of tattoo shop ownership and making the pivot to Charleston, SC Quotes "Everyone hated it... When the ornamental shit started really going off, every tattooer fucking hated it. I was definitely the new young guy everyone fucking hated." — Kirk Nelsen
In this episode of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with world-renowned tattoo artist Julian Siebert from Munich, Germany. Known globally for his incredible large-scale bodysuits, Julian shares his 21-year journey in tattooing, having completed over 200 backpieces and 100 frontpieces.