The journey to becoming a professional tattoo artist can be long and filled with challenges, often requiring a delicate balance between stable employment and the pursuit of a passion for tattooing.

This is exemplified in the story of Angel Bustos, who began his tattooing journey in 1994 at a young age, inspired by his older brother. Despite his early start, Angel faced numerous obstacles that shaped his path to becoming a respected tattoo artist who brings 30 years of experience to the conversation.

Angel unveils the inspiration behind his graffiti-infused lettering style and the episode kicks off with a discussion about the importance of security and stability in life decisions, particularly in the context of family responsibilities and the unpredictable nature of a career in tattooing.

Aaron shares his own journey, highlighting the challenges of balancing a stable income with the desire for creative freedom as an independent contractor. The episode is recorded live at the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena, California, where Aaron connects with fellow tattoo enthusiasts and artists, setting the stage for a rich exchange of stories and insights from the tattoo industry.

Tune in for a candid conversation filled with personal anecdotes and reflections on the wild ride of a tattoo artists journey.

Chat Breakdown:

00:05 - Balancing Security and Passion 02:26 - Angel Bustos' Tattoo Journey Begins 04:25 - Tattooing in Middle School 06:03 - Brother's Influence and Passing 10:12 - Tattooing as a Passion, Not Just Income 12:03 - Challenges of Quitting a Stable Job 15:15 - Opening a Private Studio 19:04 - Working with Family 20:33 - Economic Challenges and Tattooing 23:05 - Maintaining Quality and Standards 27:08 - Future of Tattooing and AI 33:28 - Respect for Lettering as Art 38:52 - Future of Lettering in Tattooing 39:02 - Respect from Other Tattoo Genres

Quotes:

• "Tattooing was, even still, it's not stable."

• "You just have to keep going to keep his name alive, essentially, right?"

• "There's no way I could ever have stopped."

• "I was in my own high, I was getting ready to take this another big step in my life and I wasn't really paying attention to the economy."

• 00:24:47 - "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. I mean, I love this shit, man."

• "A con isn't going to drive you in life."

• "If you want to be a part of something that's wild and free, then you got to be okay with a little bit of chaos and a little bit of bullshit."

• "I know what we can create when we come together."

• Stay Connected:

  Connect with Angel: 

  IG: https://www.instagram.com/angelstat2

  Connect with Aaron:⁠  

  Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts 

  IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

  Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

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

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