The evolution of tattooing has been profoundly shaped by social media, which has both broadened exposure for artists and contributed to the homogenization of styles within the industry.

In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova welcomes a special guest, Justin Weathreholtz, a talented tattoo artist from New York known for his incredible work that embodies the spirit of traditional Americana and Japanese styles. Aaron reflects on his own journey in the tattoo industry, while diving into Justin's journey in tattooing and music, and his time at Kings Avenue Tattoo in New York City, owned by Mike Rubendall. The conversation delves into the artistry behind tattoos, the unique vibe of the tattoo community, and how personal experiences shape an artist's work. Listeners can expect to hear about the intersection of tattooing and music, as well as insights into living a creative life beyond the tattoo chair. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that celebrates the passion and artistry of tattoo culture!

Chat Highlights:

[00:02:35] Freedom in lifestyle choices.

[00:05:15] Single life in your 40s.

[00:06:48] Relationships and career balance.

[00:10:11] Goals without attachment.

[00:17:10] Intuition and decision-making.

[00:27:41] Japanese tattoo influences in New York.

[00:37:17] Homogenization of tattooing.

[00:49:15] The artist's financial dilemma.

[00:58:18] AI in creative arts.

[01:08:47] Human connection versus AI creativity.

[01:24:01] Large format tattooing evolution.

[01:28:40] Color realism in tattooing.

[01:39:37] Authenticity in tattoo artistry.

[01:49:17] Brushing aside risk.

Quotes:

"No one in the world likes a guy in his 40s that single. It's the most unpopular thing. They hate it."

"You got to kind of be let the good and the bad things kind of happen equally and move just move through you."

"You can just let go of that attachment and allow it to show up or not show up."

"Talent is one of the best things because it's sprinkled randomly across the planet."

"Those are the years where you got lucky because you know, there's just a ton of places you could have landed that were wild and violent and shitty."

"I wonder if there'll be a subclass of people that are just like, no, we wait and we collect real things from real people that become more elevated in value."

"Do you want to connect with a fucking machine? I don't."

"We're all after that spirit of playfulness, that lack of worry, that lack of trepidation and concern about what others think."

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Connect with Aaron:⁠

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

Connect with Justin:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/justinw