TATTOO TALES

There is a reason if everybody likes Freddy Corbin. His experience and contribution made him well known all over the world but that only doesn’t bring you that type of respect. His kind personality makes him connect joufully with people, instantly making you feel at ease. Even from a brief chat you can sense that he cares. Needless to say it was an honor and a great pleasure to have him spend an evening with us, to share his story and insights. If you have the chance don’t miss on visiting his Temple Tattoo in Oakland, a Mecca in the Bay Area’s tattooing. Find Freddy on Instagram and at Temple Tattoo

This episode is part of the OFF THE WALL project, an initiative to put the spotlight back on flashes as foundation of traditional tattooing. Learn more at @stef_bastian_presents Today’s guests are Nick Colella and Robert Ryan. Two veterans of traditional tattooing, these artists give us an insightful look on what it means to immerse yourself in the tattoo culture, what makes a design impactful and balanced and share some tattoo history from their respective backgrounds. Above all, they set an example of humility. Humility towards the timeless designs and who came before us but especially towards the most important element in this dynamic: the people that get tattooed. Find Nick on Instagram, at @chicagotattoohistory and at Great Lakes Tattoo in Chicago Find Robert on Instagram and Electric Tattoo

This episode is part of the OFF THE WALL project, an initiative to put the spotlight back on flashes as foundation of traditional tattooing. Learn more at @stef_bastian_presents In these interviews we talk with Omar and Bobeus about their own personal approach and experience and how to make the most of flashes in the learning process. We mention tattooers that influenced the art form deeply(like Greg Irons, Bob Shaw and JD Crowe); the importance of Purpose behind every line; the purity of folk art and much more. Find Omar on Instagram Find Bobeus on Instagram

This episode is part of the OFF THE WALL project, a new art project within the tattoo community to celebrate the flash as foundation of traditional tattooing, while raising money for those families affected by the war in Ukraine. In this series of short interviews we ask our guests a little bit about tattoo history and the origin of the flash, what it means for them and how to make the best use of it today. We sat down with Lal Hardy, British tattoo legend, and Dr. Ole Wittmann, tattoo historian. In these chats you will find a great deal of information on english and German tattooing, insightful views on the relationship tattooer-artwork-customer and more. A special thanks to tattoo museums and private collectors for providing vintage flashes for the project, in particular: Dana Brunson Paul Ramsbottom(Rambo) Derin Bray Lal Hardy Dr. Ole Wittmann Andreas Coenen Jason Brooks Gabriele Donnini Ahren Bloomquist Find Lal on Instagram Find Ole on Instagram More info on current and previous projects on @stef_bastian_presents and stefbastian.com

David Speed is the co-host of the Creative Rebels podcast. His rich personal experience in the creative world(David has tattooed for a few years and has been a graffiti artists for two decades) enabled him to understand what it takes to build the best version of yourself and your business, often one being a reflection of the other. What gave birth to the successful CREATIVE REBELS podcast is the willing to share these insights and build a community around some of the most accomplished creatives, to deliver value to the listeners and their journey. In this episode we talked about the formula for success, the importance of consistency, David’s relationship with failure and much more. You can find the CREATIVE REBELS podcast of all major platforms and David on Instagram ——— If you like the show, it would mean the world if you could help us reaching more people by leaving a 5 star review on Spotify/ITunes and share your favourite episodes on social medias ❤️

Today I want to introduce you to a new series that I’m incorporating in what we normally do in the podcast. This series of extra episodes is called PANEL, and it will feature multiple guests at once, breaking down a specific topic. Each artist with their own unique experience and perspective. For the first panel, I sat down with four of the most inspired and experienced artists, Holly Ellis, Chad Koeplinger, Robert Ryan and Andreas Coenen, to talk about something they excel at: American Traditional. What does “Traditional” mean for them; where do they draw inspiration from; what’s their unique process and approach. I believe that multiple perspectives can foster originality, the pinnacle of creativity, and hopefully these points of view can inspire you and your vision. After two years of restrictions, cancelled conventions and trips, it’s been beautiful to sit down with them, even if virtually, to share an honest moment about something we all love. At least for me it’s been the closest thing to those shows and dinners we all love, made of friendship, technical talks and laughs. I want to thank these artists for sharing their insights, giving me a lot to think about. If you find value in these episodes and would like to help me create more, I’d be very grateful if you could give the show a 5 star rating and a review on ITunes and Spotify. And if you are listening to it now, why not taking a screenshot and share it on your social medias. It doesn’t cost you anything and it makes a big difference in helping the show reach more people. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy the episode 😊 ——— Holly Chad Robert Andreas Follow updates on the show on Instagram

Shotsie Gorman is a character larger than life. One of those old timers that, you know, “they just don’t make them anymore”. Behind his 4+ decades of tattooing there is a deeply routed drive for Art, with capital A, and perhaps a la even deeper appreciation for Life and the people he crossed path with. In this episode we talk about his start in tattooing with Mike Bakaty, the crazy characters he met along the way, his love for Italy and what it means to be a tattooer. You can find Shotsie on Instagram and at Tarot Art Tattoo You can follow the updates on new episode on Instagram

I could introduce Dana Brunson mentioning all his accomplishments and all the majorly influential artists he crossed path with in his 50 years tattooing, Huck Spaulding, Paul Rogers, Cliff Raven, Don Nolan, Crazy Eddie… but we won’t do that. The aspect that I feel best describes Dana is his wonderful heart and genuine love for tattooing and the people he meets along the way. The wisdom that comes from a lifetime of dedicated appreciation is priceless and I am extremely grateful for hearing these words directly from him. They inspire us to not only aim at being better tattooers but better and more connected human beings. You can find Dana on Instagram Follow the updates about new episodes on @tattootalespodcast

Charlie Cartwright is a living legend. Crossing paths with some of the most influential American tattoo artists(Bert Grimm and Owen Jensen, to name a few), he’s been tattooing for six decades now. Together with Jack Rudy and his team of artists, he developed in the 70’s what we call today “fine line”, bringing tattooing from 3-6 needles to just one, mimicking and refining a style that was developing amongst the Hispanic community within the Los Angeles prison system. Today Charlie is working on the non-profit “Tattoo Heritage Project”, with the goal of establishing a large scale Tattoo History Museum in Long Beach, CA. To support the project and learn about tattoo history, you can head to tattooheritageproject.org Find Charlie on instagram Check out the project on instagram

Frank Rosenkilde is a walking piece of Danish tattooing history. From a country with a very rich tradition, Frank has been tattooing for over four decades, crossing paths with some of the most significant tattooers of his time. Tato Ole, Mike Malone, Tato Svend and Henning Jorgensen, to name a few. His passion, burning today as forty years ago, made him collect memorabilia from all over Scandinavia, to the point that he created the Danish Tattoo Museum with the intention of preserving this craft’s history. History that, in his words, is important to form a more conscious new generation of tattooers. Frank is also committed, with the Danish Tattooers Association, in shaping a better industry in his country. You can find Frank at BEL AIR TATTOO in Copenhagen and on Instagram Follow the updates on the podcast at Stefbastian.com and on Instagram

Tamara is a talented and respected member of the tattoo community. There’s much more than what meets the eye tho. Artist, Anarchist, Teacher… a spirit that transcends and breaks the boundaries of one specific field. Tamara’s work in the field of social justice highlights the potential that tattooing carries with the concept of trauma-informed care and enriches this world with unique compassion and vision. Please find these amazingly valuable resources at santibaneztattoo.com Find Tamara on Instagram at @tamarasantibanez

When Kari talks about tattooing, a rare quality strikes you right away. The fresh sparkle in her eyes tells you, better than a thousand words, that her 42 years in the business haven’t diminished her passion. If anything they distilled it into a deep, humble appreciation for what this represents. Personal growth, meaningful friendships, craftsmanship and dedication. Her personal trajectory crossed with some of the most significant tattooers in history -Ed Hardy, Jack Rudy, Paul Rogers, Horiyoshi II to mention some- and just listening to her recollections is a reward on its own. I hope that her words will make you feel inspired and humbled as I do. Stef Bastiàn You can find Kari at outerlimitstattoo.com

C.W. developed a passion for tattooing very early on. His service in the Navy in the 60’s brought him across the world, collecting tattoos in exotic parlors like Pinky Yun’s in Hong Kong. After getting tattooed by Ed Hardy he got offered the opportunity of learning tattooing and from there he crossed paths with pillars of modern tattooing. Paul Jeffries, Good times Charlie, Jack Rudy, Jerry Swallow to name some. Since 1980 he has been promoting the history of tattooing through research and education, founding The Tattoo Archive and, together with Alan Govenar, D.E. Hardy and Henk Schiffmacher, the non profit “Paul Rogers Tattoo Research Center”. Find and support his work on Instagram and at tattooarchive.com

Alex Binnie needs no introduction. Founder of the legendary Into You in London and unanimously considered one of the most influential artists for more than one generation of tattooers, Alex shares his invaluable take on art, the creative process and the unique relationship between artist and client. Find Alex on Instagram @abinniepaperandskin @1770tattoo Follow the updates on the latest episodes on Instagram @tattootalespodcast and Stefbastian.com

40 years tattooing and going strong. That’s the word that I think can describe Deb best, Strong. She’s well known in the community for her kindness, authenticity and genuine love for tattooing. That type of old school lifelong love, matured in times when you often had to swallow your pride to belong to this world, especially as a woman. Beside that, Deb’s path hasn’t been an easy one. The obstacles she faced would have been enough to sink the toughest of us but not her. In this interview she stoically shines a light into the darkness of her abuse and sets an example for that type of courage that sometimes, only a woman can have. The courage to keep your heart open despite all. Find Deb on Instagram and at Eagle River Tattoo You can follow the last updates on the podcast on Instagram and stefbastian.com Thanks for listening 😊

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 Follow updates and new episodes on Tattoo Tales and Stefbastian.com

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 Follow the updates on new episodes on Instagram and Stefbastian.com

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 Follow the latest updates on new episodes on Instagram and stefbastian.com

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 Learn more about Stef’s Mentor Program & Webinars

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 Learn more about Stef’s Mentor Program & Webinars

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 Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram 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: [email protected] European Society of Tattoo and Pigment Research: estpresearch.org Estp book here Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram Host Stef Bastiàn

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

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

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

An honest talk with a dedicated man who found his purpose over a long career and puts his heart in front of every decision he makes. This is Andreas in a nutshell. Committed, inspired, concerned about giving back to the very trade he dedicated his life to and most of all honest, to himself above everything. I really enjoyed this afternoon spent with him in his house in Aachen, Germany, surrounded by his impressive artworks collection and his never ending projects. Find Andreas on Instagram and The Sinner and The Saint Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram Host Stef Bastiàn

This time I ended up in Manchester to meet up with local legend Rambo, owner of what has become one of the city’s landmarks, the historical RAMBO’S TATTOO PARLOUR. Recorded in the pub he owns next door, this talk was another beautiful journey in the history of British tattooing by one of its most iconic and knowledged characters. Rambo describes his upbringing in days where tattooing was very much different, walking us through his tattoo memorabilia collection(one of the most complete and prestigious in the world) and sharing priceless insights from his 35 years long career. I apologize for the quality of the audio but this as well is the beauty of being on the road, sometimes you end recording in an English pub and it can’t get more authentic than that :) Find Rambo on Instagram Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram Host Stef Bastiàn

For this episode I ended up in Montpellier, France, where I’ve met the colorful American duo Scott Ellis and Omar Edmison. In between croissants and cheap whiskies they shared with me the 50+years of tattooing in between the two of them, where they crossed paths with some legendary characters. Find Omar and Scott on Instagram Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram Learn more about Stef’s Mentor Program & Webinars

Henk Schiffmacher is the true living legend of Dutch tattooing. Over his 40+ years career he represented the true spirit of this craft, once belonged to pirates, outcasts and rebels, with adventure, humor and dare. In this episode recorded in his house in Amsterdam, Henk brings back tattooing to what it is in its purest form: passion, connection and communication. More about Henk on hankypankytattoo.nl and on Instagram Follow the podcast’s updates on Instagram Host Stef Bastiàn

Natural born storyteller, living encyclopedia of tattooing history, unique character with a big heart. There couldn’t have been a more appropriate figure to start my podcast with. Lal embodies the true spirit of this new brand series of inspiring and entertaining talks. My afternoon spent with him at his house in London has been one of those moments you treasure and remember. You can find Lal on Instagram and on newwavetattoo.co.uk Learn more about Stef’s Mentor Program & Webinars