TATTOO TALES Stef Bastiàn

If you’re into Japanese tattooing, especially in relation to its cultural connotations, you’re gonna love this one.
 
Dave is a tattooer specialized in Americana and Japanese with extensive international experience. His passion for gardening - he works with the Denver Botanic Garden on cultivating their renowned Japanese garden program, as well as maintaining the trees of Hakubai Zen Temple in Boulder - brought him a deeper insight on the philosophical aspects of Horimono.
 
In this episode we talked about some key concepts and his upcoming book, a great addition to everyone passionate about Japanese tattooing ‘Horimono: a Western Perspective’. This book is the product of a collaboration with AfterLife Press, world renowned for the quality of both content and craftsmanship of their publications, and it has been supported and reviewed by a number of horishi, including Tatsutoshi the First of the Shodai Horitoshi family.
Dave’s Instagram
AfterLife Press
traditiontattooing.com
 
We would also like to support the upcoming event ‘Skull session’ in NYC by the Lyle Tuttle Collection. Don’t miss it if you are in the area. For more information please visit the link below:
 
Lyle Tuttle Collection Instagram
Skull Session - Tickets
lyletuttlecollection.com

I have know Capex for about 15 years now, we clicked right away at a show in Finland, as we come from the same place in Italy. With his 30+ years of experience he’s one of those characters from a different time in tattooing, with working ethics, humor, resilience and love for the craft at the forefront of everything he does. I’m happy to introduce him to you and, if you ever pass by him in a show or guest spot, make sure to stop and say hi. You’ll walk away with a smile, a cool tattoo or a great story. 
 
Follow CAPEX on Instagram
More info on the podcast, classes, projects at stefbastian.com

Horiten the 1st is a female traditional tattooer from Nara, Japan. In this honest and enlightening talk she shed some light on what creates authentic Irezumi, the qualities that can help in this path and the value of Horikyo’s legacy.
Her words are a beautiful manifesto about the way art relates to the core identity of the culture that produced it.
 
Big thanks to Maur Tattooing for creating the connection.
 
You can follow Horiten on Instagram and get more information on horiten.net
 
 
For news, updates, classes and more please visit stefbastian.com

I love Zac. We met years ago during one of his guest spots and I remember him having the same qualities that characterize him today: well articulate, talented, dedicated, always trying to make every word count. The difference between then and now is that, apart from increasing even more his artistic abilities and experience, he created a publishing company that is a reference in the tattoo world: AFTERLIFE PRESS. 
Beautiful books that showcase some of the most influential contemporary artists while sharing the art and philosophy behind these accomplished professionals. All done with exquisite taste and visionary curation. 
If you want to not only support true quality and dedication but also learn from the very best, these are the books you need.
 
Today Zac shared with us his upbringing and what it takes to create something so significant, an example to follow.
 
 
AFTERLIFE PRESS
Follow Zac on Instagram
 
Zac’s shop Shrine Tattoo
 
stefbastian.com
Your host Stef Bastiàn

What makes up a successful career? It takes vision, courage, confidence and a few more ingredients. Today Big Meas, a global reference in the world of lettering, shares with us what brought him where he is today. He talks about the importance of cultivating not only the tecnical aspect but also, and perhaps more importantly, the human connection.
You can find Big Meas on Instagram and at bigmeas.com
 
News and updates at stefbastian.com

With 30 years of tattooing under his belt and an intimate knowledge of Japanese culture, Crez is a reference in Italy for Japanese tattooing. 
What I like about him the most, beside his expertise, is his genuine honesty and coherence, uncommon values that I personally treasure.
In this cozy December afternoon we talked about what shaped him into the man he’s today; ethics within tattooing; how to hone your skills; the necessity of critical thinking and feedback; the importance of being open to progress. 
The voice of people like Crez carries the weight of lived experiences, I hope you might find his words as inspiring as I did.
 
Follow Crez on Instagram
Adrenalink’s Instagram
Adrenalink YouTube channel(Italian)
 
Stefbastian.com