
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Aaron Davis was a contest on Ink Master season 15 and is renowned for his Afro-Americana traditional tattoos. He speaks often on the importance of inclusivity in tattooing, and he mostly tattoos black clients with subject matters and illustrations that resonate with them.
In this episode we discussed how to build a portfolio with black skin as a tattoo artist, the societal phenomenons that can keep people from getting tattooed, how Aaron's time as a children's-book illustrator helped him to grow in his tattoo career, and how he learned to tattoo.
Our studio manager Nicole day filled in to co-host for Colton on this episode.
AARON'S INSTAGRAM: @aarondavistattoos
AARON'S TIKTOK: @aarondavistattoos
3:00 Being on camera and social media
5:12 Afro-Americana tattoos
11:49 Tips for tattooing black people and societal pressures
20:07 How to provide good customer service
25:07 Tattoo apprenticeships and how to become a tattoo artist
33:23 How Aaron became a tattoo artist
41:45 Spreading positivity and love
45:33 Aaron's goals as a tattoo artist and Ink Master
50:57 Work-life balance
59:30 Aaron’s tattoo apprenticeship and learning how to tattoo
1:05:06 Discipline and consistency
1:13:45 Polyamory and relationships
1:21:40 Being a non-tattoo artist in the industry
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
Tattoo Visa has an unbelievable track record when it comes to visa approvals for tattoo artists: 100%. Lead attorney Katia Teirstein joined the show to discuss how O-1 visas and EB-1 green cards work for tattoo artists, how she learned how the tattoo industry works, and how her firm helps international artists navigate the immigration process.
Tattoo Visa is an NYC-based, all-female boutique law firm dedicated to helping some of the world's best tattoo artists immigrate to the United States. They have upwards of 300 clients at a time, and their efforts have resulted in over 1,000 visa approvals. Recently, they helped Eden resident artist Tam Gallardo secure an O1 visa and immigrate from Argentina. Their outstanding client lists includes famous tattoo artists such as Yomico Moreno, Jose Contreras, Daniel Luzardo, and Darwin Enriquez.
In their dedication to serving the tattoo industry, they have guidebooks available for artists and tattoo studios (petitioners) looking to start this process.
TATTOO VISA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tattoovisa/
TATTOO VISA WEBSITE AND CONTACT: https://www.tattoovisa.com/
TATTOO VISA GUIDEBOOKS: https://www.tattoovisa.com/guides
2:08 Tattoo artist requirements for an O1 visa
4:50 Starting a business and working with Paul Booth
8:52 Learning how the tattoo industry works
10:13 What Tattoo Visa does for clients
18:04 Minimum requirements to getting a visa
27:32 Content and marketing strategies
33:00 Differences between collaborating, gatekeeping, and copying
38:18 Fitting in with tattoo artists
41:12 Tattoo Visa app and how it increases productivity and workflow
46:35 Growth of the business
51:35 How long does a visa take and the consequences of working without visa
1:00:24 How tattoo studios help with the visa process
1:09:40 Process of getting Tam's visa approved
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
How does one of the most respected tattoo artists for nearly two decades feel about how the industry is going right now?
Justin Hartman came to Dallas to teach a hands-on seminar and we had him on the podcast. We discussed his experiences and how they can apply to topics such as how tattoo apprenticeships work and how to improve your drawing skills, how to build your notoriety, reputation, and brand, how to approach tattoo designs and drawings, how to inspire other artists, content creation, photography, and video editing for social media, and more.
Justin has been one of the most respected, prestigious tattoo artists in the industry for nearly two decades. He’s inspired and influenced countless tattooers. He’s best known for his large scale designs and illustrations. His style can broadly be labeled as neotradtional or illustrative, but his main subject matters—lady faces, animals, skulls, and flowers—have a soft, yet bold, realistic feel.
JUSTIN'S INSTAGRAM: @justinhartmanart
JUSTIN'S WEBSITE: justinhartmanart.com
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
Imagine if "Parts Unknown" was based on tattoos, rather than food. Dakota Weik ("Inked Abroad," as he's known on the internet) has dedicated his life to making this television concept a reality.
Dakota took a trip to Dallas to be on the podcast. We discussed the best tattoo artists from all over the world, what he's doing now in the content space with Mad Rabbit, his own docuseries in development, and how to build a brand and an online presence.
Dakota is a tattoo collector who documents the world of body art via his social media channels. He's amassed over a million followers across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok various platforms, and is currently filming a docuseries and more ways to give people a closer look at the some of the best tattoo across the world.
DAKOTA'S INSTAGRAM: @inkedabroad
DAKOTA'S TIKTOK: @inkedabroad
DAKOTA'S YOUTUBE: @Inkedabroad
DAKOTA'S WEBSITE: inkedabroad.com
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
Angel Rose is a three-time Inkmaster contestant. She appeared on season 11, was a finalist on season 13, and finished 4th on the all-star season 14. Angel is a master illustrator and is proficient in all styles of tattooing. Her preference is black and grey/illustrative realism. She is a frequent teacher and is the host of the Trilogy Tattoo Conference. Angel stopped by Eden on a tour to film content for each of the 2024 presenters: Deanna James, Bobby Johnson, and Jacob Sheffield.
In this episode we talked about Angel's teachings, how to learn and improve as a tattoo artist, and how to develop your career. We also talked about how she uses her film background to implement story telling in her tattoos, how she finds inspiration, and how Inkmaster developed her career.
EDEN SUMMER SYMPOSIUM: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/eden-symposiums
ANGEL'S INSTAGRAM: @theangelrose
TRILOGY TATTOO CONFERENCE: trilogytattoo.org
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
Gian Karle was runner-up on the all-star season 14 of Ink Master and the runner up on Ink Master season 8. He specializes in neotraditional tattooing, and is based in New Hampshire. He frequently teaches seminars to tattoo artists that want to learn how to improve their skills.
Gian stopped by Eden in Dallas, Texas for a month-long guest spot. In this episode, we talked about his tattoo seminars, his business tattooing under anesthesia, how he learned how to tattoo and draw, his time on Ink Master, and more.
GIAN'S INSTAGRAM: @giankarle
GIAN'S WEBSITE: giankarletattoo.com
SEDATION LOUNGE WEBSITE: sedationloungeforbodyart.com
SEDATION LOUNGE IG: @sedationloungeforbodyart
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
In 2014, Andy Pho spent time as a monk before resolving to become the best tattoo artist he could be start a journey of discipline, self-actualization, and realization. We discussed it all in this episode, as well as his childhood and how it affects him as a person, how he learned to tattoo from his brother Robert Pho, and how he manages his studio.
Andy is a black and grey realism artist based in Austin, Texas, and the owner of Upside Tattoo. He is an avid teacher and regularly mentors hundreds of students in the aspects of tattooing, art, and life.
ANDY'S INSTAGRAM: @andypho
UPSIDE WEBSITE: upside.tattoo
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
In bonus audio-only episode, we had Quin Hernandez on to talk about his upbringing and his family's struggles as immigrants, how he put himself in difficult situations to accelerate his tattoo career, and the rapidly-changing modern tattoo industry.
Quin Hernandez is a black and grey realism artist based in Texarkana, Texas. He's renowned in the tattoo industry for his realistic tattoos and his mastery of contrast, design, flow, and textures. He was one of the most important figures in the rise of the realism tattoo scene in Dallas.
Quin has taught multiple seminars with Eden EDU, and he's currently the owner of Black Pines Gallery in Texarkana.
QUIN'S INSTAGRAM: @quinhernandez
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
Black and grey realism LEGEND Quin Hernandez joined the show for a DOUBLE episode. In this one, we talked about his dramatic lifestyle changes that have changed his health and his outlook on his future as a tattooer and how he's adapted to keep improving in the modern tattoo industry.
Quin Hernandez is a black and grey realism artist based in Texarkana, Texas. He's renowned in the tattoo industry for his realistic tattoos and his mastery of contrast, design, flow, and textures. He was one of the most important figures in the rise of the realism tattoo scene in Dallas.
QUIN'S INSTAGRAM: @quinhernandez
:50 Eden podcast behind the scenes
4:50 The importance of family
7:56 Health scare
10:21 The importance of stretching and working out
19:55 Making a dramatic lifestyle change
23:20 Starting the carnivore diet and experiencing withdrawal symptoms
31:40 Quin's near death experience
35:40 Being forced to stop tattooing from rheumatoid arthritis
42:10 Mental health
47:48 Self-reflection and growth
50:28 How to make any tattoo design interesting
55:40 How to design tattoos that make you stand apart as an artist
59:22 How to build a portfolio of large tattoos
1:04:55 Tattoo client consultation and booking process
1:14:28 How to combat slow season and a slowing tattoo industry
1:24:03 How to maintain professionalism as a tattoo artist
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
We had the legendary Stefano Alcantara on the show to talk about his humble beginnings as a tattoo artist in Lima, Peru, his transition to the US, winning best of shows, opening studios, navigating the US visa process, and more.
Stefano Alcantara has been a tattoo artist for 30 years. He owns four tattoo studios, in New York, Florida, and Lima, Peru. He's won countless awards at tattoo conventions around the world and is an owner of the NYC Empire State Tattoo Expo.
STEFANO'S INSTAGRAM: @stefanoalcantara
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com
EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios
DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art
BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu
From the publisher's feed
Colton & Deanna James, co-owners of Eden Body Art Studios, sit down to chat with tattoo artists, Ink Masters, small-business owners, celebrities, and more.