The Artist Altar

Justine Almaraz
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The Artist Altar is a tattoo podcast focused on tattoo education, creative entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable career as a tattoo artist. Hosted by Justine Almaraz, tattoo artist, educator, and founder of Earth Altar Tattoo Studio, this show explores the business, mindset, and mastery behind successful tattooing. Launching Season 2, the podcast supports beginner and established tattoo artists and creative entrepreneurs ready to refine their craft, scale income, and build aligned, profitable creative businesses.

  1. EP:2 A Collaborative Tattooing Experience: Chat With Thea + Alex

    3D AGO

    EP:2 A Collaborative Tattooing Experience: Chat With Thea + Alex

    In this episode, I sit down with tattoo artist Alexandra Husmann and Joy Practitioner Thea Monyee to reflect on a deeply collaborative, intuitive tattooing journey we’ve been creating together over time. What began as a subtle, gentle first layer evolved into a living, breathing practice of trust, improvisation, and shared authorship where skin became a canvas for “jazz,” duality and embodied truth. We talk about what it means to let tattooing be a conversation rather than a plan, how collaboration can dissolve boundaries between artists and clients, and why the most meaningful creations often require us to slow down, pause, and live with the work before adding more. This episode opens up the inner world behind intuitive tattooing where consent, vulnerability, and listening to the body become the real art. Thea weaves in her work around joy and grief as coexisting forces, reminding us that joy is not surface-level happiness but a metric of aliveness and that anticipatory grief is often what keeps us from fully expressing who we are. Together, we explore tattoos as portals for visibility, healing, and becoming, and why choosing to create (and live) out loud can feel both terrifying and liberating. In this episode we talk about: ✨ Collaborative tattooing as jazz, call and-response and improvisation ✨ What intuitive tattooing really means beyond aesthetics ✨ Why blank spaces on skin and in life are essential for creation ✨ Navigating duality: softness and structure, flow and geometry, joy and grief ✨ Consent as a nourishing, pleasure-centered practice ✨ Tattoos as embodied markers of transformation and becoming visible Plus, Thea shares more about her joy-centered work, including her free joy assessment and upcoming joy immersion experiences and Alex talks about her approach to collaborative, intuitive tattooing and finding harmony within existing forms. This conversation is an invitation to trust the process, to honor not knowing, and to allow creativity to be a living relationship rather than a fixed outcome. Like jazz, like life, like a tattoo that keeps unfolding. Connect with Thea Monyeé Instagram: @theamonyee Connect with Alex: Website: www.alexandrahusmann.com Instagram: @alexhtattoos Connect with Me: Instagram:@justineartstudio Website: www.justinealmaraz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudio

    47 min
  2. EP : 1 Why I Stopped Making Art for Two Years and why I had to sacrifice my art practice

    FEB 4

    EP : 1 Why I Stopped Making Art for Two Years and why I had to sacrifice my art practice

    In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s been like to step away from my personal art practice and what it means to come back. After two years focused on building a tattoo education system with my husband, Luis, I reflect on the sacrifices, growth, and clarity that came from putting my own painting on pause. We created an in-person, curriculum-based apprenticeship model that honors tattooing as a serious art form while helping artists learn more efficiently. This episode is really about identity giving yourself permission to call yourself an artist, even after breaks, pivots, or life changes. Being an artist doesn’t disappear just because your focus shifts. This also marks the beginning of my return to painting, and I’m inviting you to join me in the process of the rust, the rebuilding, and the joy of creating again. What We Cover Taking a break from your art without losing your identity as an artistBuilding a tattoo apprenticeship model that actually worksMentorship vs. traditional art schoolDeveloping a recognizable, signature style across mediumsTattooing as an extension of fine artReturning to your creative practice after time awaySchedule your meeting with me here:::: RESEARCH INTERVIEW BOOKING LINK: https://www.justinealmaraz.com/book-project-2026-research-interviews Thanks for being here. Connect with Me: Instagram: @justineartstudio  Website: www.justinealmaraz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudio

    14 min
  3. TEASER

    SEASON 2 TRAILER

    TEASER

    Hi, I’m Justine Almaraz, and I’m so glad you’re here! This podcast is a safe space for artists who want to grow, thrive, and develop their unique creative voice all while building a fulfilling, sustainable career. In this teaser episode, I share a bit about myself and what this podcast is all about: pulling back the curtain on the world of fine art tattooing, creative entrepreneurship, and developing an iconic style that supports your life and your soul. Here’s what I’ll be covering: Turning my fine art into a tattoo careerWhat the tattoo world is really likeMy journey as a creative entrepreneurDeveloping your style, getting seen, and getting paidBuilding a fulfilling, purpose-driven creative careerThis podcast is for artists who want to grow their creativity, transition into tattooing or other creative careers, and create a life that feels good while serving their community. I’m here to share my experiences, interview other artist experts, and help you root your soul in your truest creative life. I’m excited to share this journey with you. Thank you for being here! Connect with Me: Instagram: @thejustinealmaraz Website: www.justinealmaraz.com   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudio

    2 min
  4. EP: 20 Free-falling Into Transformation: A New Chapter of Her Ink Empire

    11/05/2025

    EP: 20 Free-falling Into Transformation: A New Chapter of Her Ink Empire

    In the Finale episode, I reflect on the powerful closing of Season One of Her Ink Empire and the deeply transformative new season I’m stepping into. Turning 40, moving to a new city, and redefining what creativity, health, and balance mean to me, I open up about releasing old patterns, healing my nervous system, and creating from a place of calm and clarity. From revisiting body image and self-worth to detoxing physically, mentally, and spiritually, I share how stepping out of “hustle mode” is unlocking a whole new wave of creativity. This episode is an invitation to explore your own rebirth to question what still fits, what needs to be released, and what desires are ready to be claimed in this next chapter of life. In this episode, I talk about: ✨ Closing the first chapter of Her Ink Empire and embracing uncertainty ✨ Turning 40 as a catalyst for deep reflection and renewal ✨ Healing the nervous system and finding creativity through rest ✨ Releasing hustle culture and returning to intuition ✨ Redefining identity as an artist and creator of your own life ✨ Relocating from Los Angeles to Orange County and the energy shift that came with it ✨ Building the Earth Altar Tattoo Collective and expanding Earth Altar Education ✨ Allowing desire and transformation to guide the next creative evolution I’ve learned that transformation often begins with surrender with the courage to unravel, to release what no longer fits, and to trust the unfolding. This episode is an open invitation to freefall into your own becoming, to honour your growth, and to create from a place of alignment, energy, and truth. Connect with Justine: Instagram: @thejustinealmaraz Website:  www.justinealmaraz.com YouTube: Justine Art Studio Thank you for listening to Her Ink Empire. Your empire is already unfolding one aligned, intentional mark at a time. Stay tuned.

    19 min
  5. EP:19 Healing Through Plants & Ritual with Jamie

    10/08/2025

    EP:19 Healing Through Plants & Ritual with Jamie

    In this episode, I sit down with Jamie, a maker, healer, and founder of The Everyday Empathecary, whose journey bridges art, energy work, and plant medicine. From her early experiments blending oils and herbs for friends, to creating the Magic Salve and tattoo care line that’s become a staple in our community, Jamie’s story is one of devotion, intuition, and deep reverence for the healing power of plants.She shares how ritual and Reiki shape her process, why crafting salves feels like meditation, and how growing passionflower in her backyard became a cornerstone of her healing recipes. We talk about stepping into fear as a catalyst for inspiration, building a business from the ground up, and redefining skincare as an act of self-love, earth connection, and sacred care.In this episode we talk about: ✨ Moving through fear and trusting inspiration on the creative path ✨ The story behind the Magic Salve and how it became a community game changer ✨ Why making medicine is a ritual of intention, energy, and prayer ✨ Plant allies like hemp, arnica, and passionflower and their powerful roles in healing ✨ Creating products that work across skin care, wound care, and tattoo healing ✨ How seasonal shifts inspire subtle changes in her recipes ✨ Building The Everyday Empathecary into a business while staying true to its sacred roots ✨ The expansion into oils, scrubs, and bath salts for deeper self-care practices ✨ The challenges and joys of sharing her medicine beyond her inner circle ✨ Tattooing as sacred space and how it connects to plant medicine and ritual Jamie reminds us that healing doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be a jar of earth medicine, lovingly crafted, ready to meet you where you are. Her work is an invitation to slow down, receive the wisdom of plants, and remember that care for the body is care for the spirit. Connect with Jamie + shop her products: Instagram: Jamie D Connect with Me:Instagram: @thejustinealmarazWebsite: www.justinealmaraz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudioThank you for listening to Her Ink Empire. Your empire is already unfolding one aligned, intentional mark at a time. Stay tuned.

    29 min
  6. EP:18 Faith, Safety, and Community with Krista Roodzant

    10/01/2025

    EP:18 Faith, Safety, and Community with Krista Roodzant

    In this episode, I sit down with Krista Roodzant, founder of SuiteStyle OC, a sanctuary for women tattooers and independent artists in Orange County. What started as an unexpected leap into entrepreneurship has grown into a thriving haven, reshaping what safety, beauty, and community can mean in the tattoo world.Krista’s path has been anything but conventional, from years as a registered nurse and decades as a stay-at-home mom, to real estate ventures, and finally opening her first salon suites in 2022. Her story is one of courage and faith, and what stands out is her heart-centered approach to business: rooted in prayer, hospitality, and a deep belief that artists deserve spaces where they feel secure and valued.We talk about how SuiteStyle OC has become home to tattooers, hairstylists, estheticians, and more, and why its focus on safety, aesthetics, and belonging is so transformative for women carving their own paths in a male-dominated industry. Krista also shares the challenges of entrepreneurship, what she’s learned about resilience and marketing, and the joy of watching artists build sustainable, thriving careers within her walls. In this episode we talk about: ✨ Krista’s unexpected path from nursing and motherhood to becoming a business owner ✨ The leap of faith that led to opening Suite Style OC in 2022 ✨ Why safety and security are at the core of her vision for artists ✨ How two tattooers asking for a suite changed everything ✨ The surprising misconceptions about tattooing she had to unlearn ✨ What makes artists thrive in independent studios (and what doesn’t) ✨ The role of prayer, intuition, and trust in shaping her leadership ✨ Why aesthetics, design, and hospitality matter so much in creative spaces ✨ How community events and collaboration are transforming isolation into connection ✨ Krista’s perspective on success and why it’s about more than filling every suiteKrista reminds us that building a business can be an act of service, and that sometimes the most powerful legacies come not from doing what we feel most “qualified” for, but from stepping into the unknown with trust, courage, and love.Connect with Krista RoodzantWebsite: https://www.suitestyleoc.com/aboutusInstagram: @suitestyle_ocConnect with Me:Instagram: @thejustinealmarazWebsite: www.justinealmaraz.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudioThank you for listening to Her Ink Empire. Your empire is already unfolding one aligned, intentional mark at a time. Stay tuned.

    53 min
  7. EP:17 Sacred Art & Tattoos with Mari Kuroyama

    09/24/2025

    EP:17 Sacred Art & Tattoos with Mari Kuroyama

    In this episode, I sit down with Mari, a pioneering fine-line tattoo artist from Brazil whose creative journey now expands into painting, visionary art, and live performance. From her early days of breaking barriers as one of the first recognized women tattooers in her area, to painting alongside world-renowned artists at COSM and Burning Man, Mari’s story is one of devotion, reinvention, and deep connection. She shares how tattooing opened a lifelong path of ritual and service, why painting became a healing force during the pandemic, and how prayer and daily practice continue to shape her work and her life. We talk about cultural bridges, reclaiming art as a human birthright, and what it looks like to create from a place of trust, reverence, and resilience. In this episode we talk about: ✨ Growing up in Brazil and becoming a pioneer in the fine-line tattoo movement ✨ Building community with women tattooers in a male-dominated industry ✨ Discovering visionary art and how painting carried her through depression ✨ Studying with masters at COSM and being invited to live paint at Burning Man ✨ The sabbatical year that reshaped her relationship with art and tattooing ✨ Why prayer and ritual are at the center of her creative practice ✨ How she balances life between Brazil and the U.S., honoring both roots and expansion ✨ Creating a WhatsApp community for her clients and redefining connection beyond algorithms ✨ The sacred responsibility of art as devotion, not just commodity ✨ Why she believes everyone is born an artist and how practice opens the door back to creativity Plus our collaborative painting workshop in Califronia on October 5th! Open for six lucky humans to join for free! Email justine@earthaltarstudio.com to RSVP.  Mari reminds us that art is not reserved for the gifted but is woven into our very nature, waiting for us to remember. Her work invites us to slow down, reconnect with the sacredness of life, and let creativity become both prayer and bridge between worlds.   Connect with Mari  Instagram: @marikuroyama Connect with Me:Instagram: @thejustinealmarazWebsite: www.justinealmaraz.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudio Thank you for listening to Her Ink Empire. Your empire is already unfolding one aligned, intentional mark at a time. Stay tuned.

    56 min
  8. EP:16 Faith, Creativity and Tattooing with Danielle Foster

    09/17/2025

    EP:16 Faith, Creativity and Tattooing with Danielle Foster

    In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle, a fellow tattoo artist whose creative journey is deeply intertwined with her faith and her art. Danielle shares how following God led her into tattooing, how her apprenticeship began in the most unexpected way, and how her spiritual life continues to shape her practice in the studio. We talk about her move from Northern California back to Orange County, what it was like to step into running her own studio, and why she chose to build her business in a nontraditional way. Danielle opens up about the freedom of working solo, the joy she’s found in creating big, detailed pieces, and how social media has become an authentic extension of her art and personality. In this episode we talk about: ✨ How a simple prayer turned into an unexpected tattoo apprenticeship. ✨ The role of faith and spirituality in her creative practice. ✨ Moving from ministry school into tattooing and back to Orange County. ✨ Why she chose to run a solo studio outside the traditional shop model. ✨ The playful, authentic way she approaches social media and content. ✨ Her advice for new tattooers navigating self-promotion and marketing. ✨ The excitement of growing into large-scale tattoo work while staying open to God’s leading. This is a conversation about creativity, courage, and the balance between building an artistic empire and staying open handed with the future. Connect with Danielle:Instagram:@createdbydig Stay connected with Me:Instagram: @thejustinealmarazWebsite: justinealmaraz.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudioStay creative, stay aligned, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

    1h 6m
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About

The Artist Altar is a tattoo podcast focused on tattoo education, creative entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable career as a tattoo artist. Hosted by Justine Almaraz, tattoo artist, educator, and founder of Earth Altar Tattoo Studio, this show explores the business, mindset, and mastery behind successful tattooing. Launching Season 2, the podcast supports beginner and established tattoo artists and creative entrepreneurs ready to refine their craft, scale income, and build aligned, profitable creative businesses.

Information

  • Creator
    Justine Almaraz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Justine Almaraz
  • Show Website
    The Artist Altar