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Have you ever felt stuck with a tattoo artist who makes you uncomfortable but the tattoo isn't done? Or perhaps you've been ghosted by an artist who still has your deposit? or maybe the work you've had done so far is just not... good? I've talked to many people throughout my time as a tattoo artist who didn't feel comfortable moving on. 

In this chat, I tackle the question those clients face: "Do I have to go back?" Whether dealing with an artist who makes inappropriate comments, consistently cancels appointments, or simply produces work you're not happy with, many people feel trapped in these situations—especially when they've paid significant deposits.

One of the most persistent myths I encounter is the belief that no other tattoo artist will touch another artist's unfinished work. This outdated notion keeps many clients returning to uncomfortable or unprofessional situations. The reality? Many of us in the industry are willing to help clients complete pieces when the original relationship has broken down. Creating a genuine connection with a new artist and being honest about your situation can often get you what you want. A new relationship with a tattoo artist who is a better fit for you. 

And that deposit you don't want to lose? Consider that payment for never having to deal with that person again. Your body, your comfort, and your agency are worth far more than any deposit. You don't owe anyone your skin, time, or money. When reasonable efforts to maintain a good professional relationship fail, giving yourself permission to move on is the right thing to do. 

Listen to the episode, and remember, that the art you wear, ideally comes with positive memories. Share your experiences or questions with me—I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

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One afternoon I received a message over IG thanking me for having a page on my website that mentions cultural appropriation in tattooing. I looked at the person's profile and saw that they were a tattoo artist too. This person was Renée Mak. I thanked Renée for her acknowledgement and suggested that we take this conversation onto the Ink Medicine podcast. 

It is no secret that the western and predominantly white tattoo industry is still very insistent that tattooing Chinese characters, Japanese body suits, Maori markings, and other Indigenous symbols on a white client's skin is totally fine. Is it? Maybe. Sometimes. In general, not really. 

We talk about all of this in great detail. 

Renée Mak is a Chinese Canadian queer human, a tattoo artist, a Buddhist, an acrobat and a circus artist, a producer and a writer. The words that come to mind most insistently is that Renée is brilliant and luminous. I could talk to her all day. Enjoy. 

Renée can be found on Instagram at @the.magician.tattoos and @disasterclown

Her tattoo studio is @softhearts.studio

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

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The books I read in 2024 and what I thought of them!
 
 Books mentioned:

1. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers 

2. Death Valley by Melissa Broder 

3. Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki 

4. Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder 

5. How Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie Cruz 

6. Infinite Country by Patricia Engel 

7. Knife: .... By Salman Rushdie 

8. Stoner by John Williams 

9. How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu 

 10. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson 

11. A Good Happy Girl by Marissa Higgins 

12. Mona of the Manor by Armistead Maupin 

13. Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino 

14. The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis 

15. Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H 

16. I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi 

17. Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain On Purpose by Leigh Cowart 

18. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender 

19. Kissing Girls on Shabbat: A Memoir by Sara Glass 

20. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 

21. My Year Of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfeigh 

22. All Fours by Miranda July 

23. The First Bad Man by Miranda July 

24. My Husband by Maud Ventura 

25. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg

26. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett 

27. The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare 

28. The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa 

29. To Shape A Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose 

30. The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by Victoria E. Schwab 

31. The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante 

 32. Perfume And Pain by Anna Dorn 
 
Bonus early 2025 mentions: My Brilliant Friend and The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante, Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics by Elle Reeve, The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

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It's been about six months since I put out an episode of Ink Medicine. I am back. Hello. May this new year of 2025 bring us some unexpected joys. 

I got chopped. I concentrated on healing solely for a while. Now I am slowly getting back to my regular life. Including this. 

It's good to be here. I will talk to you next week. 

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

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Just taking a little mental health break. I will be back with my yearly Books episode, and other ones, as circumstances allow.

Much love. 

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

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Ali is the creator of the Instagram community @jews.withtattoos
After starting the page she quickly gained a following, and as people started requesting guidance on finding Jewish tattoo artists, she created a spreadsheet to help artists and clients connect. You can find that spreadsheet linked to the above mentioned Instagram page, Jews With Tattoos (https://www.instagram.com/jews.withtattoos/)

I met Ali briefly last fall when she reached out wanting to highlight me as a tattoo artist and a fellow jew. At the time I wasn't ready to be highlighted. But recently I decided I wanted to ask her to be on Ink Medicine and tell my audience about her journey as a tattoo collector and an online activist.

You can find Ali on Jews.WithTattoos, also on https://www.instagram.com/thatjewishfeminist/
And on Tik Tok as That Jewish Feminist where she talks about ... being a Jewish Feminist. And other important things we don't talk about enough.

All of the tattoo artists Ali mentions linked below:
https://www.instagram.com/kat.o.tat     Kat, (Boston area)

https://www.instagram.com/beastlyflowers    Aaliyah (Muslim identified artist, in case you're looking for one, based in Boston area)

https://www.instagram.com/sarahroseink      Sarah (Boston area)

https://www.instagram.com/ant_grayce      Ant (specializes in tricky spots like butt cheeks) (Philly, but travels)

https://www.instagram.com/razzoukwassim     Razzouk, (based in Israel)

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

Send us a text

One of the perks of being a tattoo artist is the freedom of movement one can take advantage of. There are shops everywhere these days. Conceivably, that means that as a tattooist you can go anywhere and temporarily live and work there. I've known of people who didn't live in any one place but just continuously went from guest spot to guest spot for years. 

Besides the pleasure of travel, such as discovering new places and people, there is the added bonus of exposure. The more people you meet, the more connections you make, and in more communities, the better for your overall reach. 

And that sounds great. 

However, for me… it has mostly felt a bit more tedious than it was worth... until now. 

Last week I guested at Butterfat Studios (https://www.butterfatstudios.com/) and it was a dream come true. 

Listen to me recount my other guest spot experiences and why this one was my most successful. Smile as I gush about the amazing legendary Esther Garcia whom I got to watch work. And who I've long admired for her experimentations in color theory specifically for expanding the options for deeper toned folks. 

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

Send us a text

How do I go and tattoo when I feel meh? 

Because I, and many of us, maybe all of us feel "meh" a lot in the face of responsibility. You can love your job very much, have it be the perfect fit for you and still feel like doing nothing when you wake up. 

So how do I get over the malaise and do it anyway? How do I output creatively when I feel empty? 

I will tell you. 

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

Send us a text

I met Skeeter Barker at her queer community yoga classes in the Mission circa 2007 or 8, and fell in love with her immediately. A strong, heavily tattooed, older butch in loose fitting cargo shorts and tank, with sparkling eyes, glasses, a British accent, and a gentle yet firm style of teaching, she was unlike any other yoga teacher I'd met before. And being in her classes made me want to keep doing yoga. So I did.

Over the years we found other things in common, such as the leather community, a love of retreats... and a bunch of years ago Skeeter found her way to my tattoo table and never left.

For Ink Medicine I spoke with Skeeter about ... everything. Identity and community, and tattoos, and queer history. At 60 she knows a thing or two about being a dyke and a leather daddy, since she has been out in the scene for more than forty years. I suppose some would call her a queer elder.

If you'd like a visual treat, and you love leather dyke culture, find your way to a viewing of the Michelle Handeman documentary BloodSisters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BloodSisters_(1995_film)
Skeeter happens to be one of the main people in it. 

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/

Send us a text

Sit with me while I admit a deep dark little tattoo artist secret. I have feelings about it when my long term clients go to someone else. 

I don't know if this term has been used before, but I say Polytattery refers to clients getting work done by several tattoo artists in the same time period. 

It can be awkward for us both if you don't say anything ahead of time. Or if you come back with a new piece by someone else and ask me to touch it up for you. 

Hear me wrestle with my own ego and admit to you what feels best and what doesn't. 

And then... hear the tale that has defined my last week of existence. It does have to do with dentistry, but it's not graphic. 

You can connect with me, Micah Riot, as well as see my tattoo art on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micahriot/

Micah's website is www.micahriot.com
The podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but truly lives in the heart of Micah's website at:
https://www.micahriot.com/ink-medicine-podcast/