Show Notes
The evolution of tattooing has profoundly transformed the landscape of body art, leading to greater acceptance of diverse styles and allowing artists to explore and create without the necessity of specific meanings behind each tattoo. This shift can be traced back to several key developments in the industry, particularly the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and the influence of tattoo-related television shows. In this episode of "Chats and Tatts," host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with renowned tattoo artist Jake Danielson at Gods of Ink in Frankfurt, Germany. The discussion kicks off with reflections on the future of tattooing, particularly the challenge of maintaining the integrity and longevity of tattoos over time. Aaron shares his fascination with how current artists push boundaries while also wondering if they can ensure their work stands the test of time. With a shared background in illustrative tattooing, Aaron expresses his admiration for Jake's artistry, setting the stage for an engaging conversation about their craft, techniques, and the evolving landscape of tattoo artistry. Tune in for insights and inspiration from two passionate tattoo artists! Chat Breakdown: 00:00:32 - The Future of Tattoo Longevity 00:02:01 - Early Tattoo Influences 00:03:06 - Challenges in Large-Scale Tattoos 00:08:08 - Early Tattoo Career and Work Ethic 00:11:25 - The Role of Instagram in Tattooing 00:15:16 - Global Tattoo Community 00:20:10 - Future of Tattoo Techniques 00:21:48 - Traditional vs. Hyper-Realism 00:29:57 - Shift in Tattoo Priorities 00:33:09 - Custom vs. Flash Tattoos 00:35:10 - Specialization in Modern Tattooing 00:37:07 - Black Work Movement 00:39:03 - Tattoos as Body Decoration 00:42:43 - Dream Tattoo Projects Quotes: "I'd be interested to see if whatever crazy stuff people are producing now, if they find ways to maneuver what's possible and maintain its long life and integrity of the tether." "I fucking scroll through your Instagram and I'm like, what the fuck is going on here?" "I've been pretty blessed with the people that I've surrounded myself with for my whole career that I rarely ever feel like I'm the hardest worker in the room." "I think this fucking rocket ship increase in radness is going to, it is going to go a little like this." "How it lives on the person for the next like the rest of their life is so much more important than the Instagram photo" "It's much more important to focus on the quality of your craft and longevity of the tattoo." "I almost don't even want to tattoo subject matter anymore. I'm just like, can I just decorate you, please?" "You're embedding some sort of energy into them, exchanging energy with them." "Work hard, draw a lot, pay attention to what those before you have done."
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 Jake: IG: https://www.instagram.com/jaketattoos
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.