The evolution of tattooing has profoundly transformed the landscape of body art, leading to greater acceptance of diverse styles and allowing artists to explore and create without the necessity of specific meanings behind each tattoo. This shift can be traced back to several key developments in the industry, particularly the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and the influence of tattoo-related television shows.

In this episode of "Chats and Tatts," host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with renowned tattoo artist Jake Danielson at Gods of Ink in Frankfurt, Germany. The discussion kicks off with reflections on the future of tattooing, particularly the challenge of maintaining the integrity and longevity of tattoos over time. Aaron shares his fascination with how current artists push boundaries while also wondering if they can ensure their work stands the test of time. With a shared background in illustrative tattooing, Aaron expresses his admiration for Jake's artistry, setting the stage for an engaging conversation about their craft, techniques, and the evolving landscape of tattoo artistry. Tune in for insights and inspiration from two passionate tattoo artists!

Chat Breakdown:

00:00:32 - The Future of Tattoo Longevity

00:02:01 - Early Tattoo Influences

00:03:06 - Challenges in Large-Scale Tattoos

00:08:08 - Early Tattoo Career and Work Ethic

00:11:25 - The Role of Instagram in Tattooing

00:15:16 - Global Tattoo Community

00:20:10 - Future of Tattoo Techniques

00:21:48 - Traditional vs. Hyper-Realism

00:29:57 - Shift in Tattoo Priorities

00:33:09 - Custom vs. Flash Tattoos

00:35:10 - Specialization in Modern Tattooing

00:37:07 - Black Work Movement

00:39:03 - Tattoos as Body Decoration

00:42:43 - Dream Tattoo Projects

Quotes:

"I'd be interested to see if whatever crazy stuff people are producing now, if they find ways to maneuver what's possible and maintain its long life and integrity of the tether."

"I fucking scroll through your Instagram and I'm like, what the fuck is going on here?"

"I've been pretty blessed with the people that I've surrounded myself with for my whole career that I rarely ever feel like I'm the hardest worker in the room."

"I think this fucking rocket ship increase in radness is going to, it is going to go a little like this."

“How it lives on the person for the next like the rest of their life is so much more important than the Instagram photo"

"It's much more important to focus on the quality of your craft and longevity of the tattoo."

"I almost don't even want to tattoo subject matter anymore. I'm just like, can I just decorate you, please?"

"You're embedding some sort of energy into them, exchanging energy with them."

"Work hard, draw a lot, pay attention to what those before you have done."

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Connect with Aaron:⁠

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

Connect with Jake:

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