After nearly 10 years, this was the final tattoo session.

For over a decade, I’ve been working on a full-body Japanese tattoo.

In this video, I head to my final appointment with tattoo artist Kevin Marr to finish the last part of the body suit. What started years ago turns into a long conversation about tattooing, craft, and what it actually takes to commit to something this big.

This isn’t a typical tattoo video. It’s a real, unfiltered conversation during the final session of a long-term project.

We talk about:

• Working in a private studio

• What makes a great client

• Why large-scale Japanese tattooing is different

• How Instagram changed tattoo culture

• And why most people never finish what they start

Tattoo artist: Kevin Marr

Mural artist Alice Lee shares how heartbreak, happiness, and side projects shaped her creative path—from Dropbox designer to full-time illustrator, muralist, and ceramicist. We talk about finding inspiration, navigating burnout, the role of community and feedback, and how Alice thinks about social media and AI as an artist. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a creative life.

Kevin Marr Horikema, a tattoo artist in San Francisco, specializing in traditional Japanese tattooing, shares his journey into the world of tattooing. From the philosophy behind the art to the patience required for large-scale work, Kevin discusses his approach to tattooing, inspiration, and the evolving landscape of the craft.

Shirley Wu is a data visualization engineer and talks about her transition to working on physical art installations. She shares insights into her creative process, her inspirations, and how she approaches storytelling through her work. We also dive into her journey as a freelance artist and the challenges she's faced along the way.

🎨 Portraits of an Artist is a podcast that uncovers the creative journeys of artists, designers, and visionaries shaping the world through their work.

How do they stay inspired? What fuels their creativity? What challenges have they overcome? Each episode, photographer Ryan sits down with an artist to explore their process, their passion, and the stories behind their craft—capturing not just their words, but their portrait as well.

If you’re curious about creativity, artistry, and the people behind incredible work, hit subscribe and join us on this journey. New episodes coming soon!