A Twenty First Century Tattoo

There’s not a lot Leigh Tilbrook hasn’t explored or encountered when it comes to a career spanning 18 years in the industry. From traditional tattooing to his now ultra refined single needle work, Leigh joins me at Debut Studios to discuss his successful Peterborough based shop Electric Workshop, where tattooing has taken him and moments that have defined what life is like for him now. An artist as genuine as they come - this episode was a personal favourite. @leigh_tilbrook @electricworkshoptattoo

Sitting down with Roblake at the studio we delve deep for one of the most captivating conversations on the podcast to date. I wanted to explore more about how the Danish born, Brighton based artist creates their dark and distinctive expressionist style. Having been on an arduous journey through the industry and suffering badly with mental health and OCD we talk persevering through the struggles, managing misjudgments and turning weaknesses into strengths.

@roblaketattoo

Fresh off the flight back from tattooing at Inferno festival in Norway, Charlie, aka Wulf Baron joins me at the studio in Shoreditch to discuss all things tattooing. The creator of a unique and distinctive dark and detailed style, we discuss drawing inspiration from all aspects of life, where tattooing has taken him and the need to stay close to nature and spirituality.

@wulfbaron

Last stop on the tour, I sit down with Bridge Street Tattoo owner Shaun Wainwright and blackwork artist and fiancé Sophie Brown. A thought provoking conversation spent understanding the secret to the success of Chester’s largest studio, how Sophie creates her bold floral designs and what life’s like for the pair when the machines are down. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to learn from artists with such experience in the industry; this conversation was a personal favourite.

@shaun_bst

@sophiebrowntattoo

@bridgestreettattoo

Jamie Lee Knott has a meticulous approach to creating his striking neo-traditional pieces. This week I caught up with him at Chapters Tattoo Studio in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham to talk hosting seminars, collaborations and how to improve and evolve as both an artist and a person.

@jamieleetattoo

@chapterstattoostudio

Chris is known for his clever large scale geometric and blackwork compositions. Off the back of a hectic year, I managed to catch up with him two weeks into launching his new private space, Black Tapestry, East London. 

Born in the midlands, Bintt's career took off after moving to London, passing through some of the most renowned shops in the south. More recently Bintt finds time to share his knowledge; helping other artists create work through online tutorials, pattern books and brush sets. We chat about honing in on a style, the importance of seminars, upcoming collaborations and settling into a private studio.

@bintt

@blacktapestrytattoo

This week I sit down for an insightful and inspiring conversation with artist, tutor and studio owner Mike Stockings at Legacy Tattoo, Haverhill, Suffolk.

Mike is renowned for his vibrant 'neon trad' style and has perfected his craft over the years. One of the most genuine blokes i've had the pleasure of meeting, he didn't have an easy journey into the industry and I was amazed at his unwavering mindset and determination.

A family man at his core, he still finds time to share his wealth of knowledge; hosting seminars and teaching artists worldwide online, believing everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves creatively. This might just be the conversation you need to hear!

@mikestockings

@legacy.tattoo

This week I sit down with Abi and Lauren, detailed floral, mandala and ornamental artists and co-owners of a new all female private space in Rayleigh, Essex - Abla Studios.

This was a special and thought provoking conversation and helped me to gain further insight into the vision behind their judgement free, inclusive and comfortable creative space.

Talented artists in their own right, Abi and Lauren have a successful and unique natural working relationship. They open up about earlier years and personal lives and we discuss the pressures of social media, dealing with imitation and working beyond the 9-5.

@abihacktattoo

@laurensmithtattoos

@ablastudios

This week's episode was recorded at Exile Tattoo with Tommy Farrow. Tommy's a large scale, black and grey, horror artist who spends hours creating incredible, high contrast masterpieces that are instantly recognisable as his own. 

12 years deep in the industry he's had an interesting ride and it was an absolute pleasure to nerd out for over 2 hours with such a humble and self aware artist. 

@tomftattoo
@six_bullets_tattoo
@exiletattoo.leighonsea

This week I catch up with Luke Ashley following my guest spot at Aura Ninety Four in the new Design District, Greenwich, London.

Unless you've been living under a rock you'll have seen or heard about Luke's work - a dedicated palm tattoo artist who's pushing the boundaries of something never thought possible with the art form. 

Luke is as genuine as they get and I wanted to delve a little deeper into the driving force behind his success both in and out of work. We talk overcoming OCD, international guest spots, and sacrifice in the pursuit of perfection.

@lukeaashley
@annigbelle
@auraninetyfour

This week's special episode was recorded live from the Big London Tattoo Show at the ExCel. Watch the full visual episode on YouTube now.

The weekend hosted 360 top international tattoo artists, plus industry leading suppliers, brands and traders. I caught up with the teams and individuals at the forefront of modern tattooing about their current role in and journey into the industry, the history of their brands as well as their thoughts on the new convention. 

This was the first year for the Big London Tattoo Show but it certainly didn't feel like it, the experience was seamless and I can't wait to see what Total Tattoo magazine and yogiXIII have in store for the next one! A huge thank you to the organisers for allowing us to be a part of it and all the guests for joining me on the episode.

In this week’s episode I sit down with the northern queen of delicate ornamental and floral work, Olivia Fayne. 

Based in the centre of Leeds, Olivia’s studio, Anthologie is a scandi inspired creative space and life style brand and clearly represents her individual and forward thinking style.

Liv is a huge advocate for mental health and inspiring confidence in her clients through her work. Recently becoming a mother, it was great to understand her new found perspective on life and tattooing.

@oliviafaynetattoo
@anthologiethestudio

This week I sit down with the guy who can create a full back piece in just 6 hours, Pengerzz.

With over a million followers on TikTok, we talk about the importance of social media, learning from your haters and how his experience allows him to create such large scale work so quickly.

Pengerzz has proven himself through his art and consistently winning at conventions, it was great to sit down to understand what makes the man tick. 

His diary opens and closes in just one hour each year... what else is left for him to achieve?

@pengerzztattoos

This week I catch up with Dean Gunther at his private studio in Manchester.

Dean's vivid colour realism is mind blowing. Growing up in South Africa, he got his first tattoo for just £2... to now being  an award winning artist, Dean travels worldwide and hosts his own seminars. He is no stranger to doing things outside of the box and it was great to sit down with him to hear how far he has come and what's left to achieve in the future.

This week I sit down with an artist who introduced both me and the UK scene to clean traditional stipple work, Matt Stopps. 

Matt’s been in the industry 9 years now and it shows in the work; a refined, bold and traditional style, he’s a tattooers tattooer.

Talking at his studio in central London, Origin, we discuss determination, accomplishments, trends and how life has changed….

@matt_stopps
@origintattoolondon

In this weeks episode I join Amy Billing at Bournemouth's all female studio, Hobo Jack. With a focus on floral, realism and dotwork her intricate, feminine style makes her one of the most in demand artists in the area. 

We discuss how the studio was formed, following the rise of the Hobo Jack clothing brand,  what success means to her and plans for the future. 

@amybillingtattoo
@hobojacktattoo

This week i'm with Megan at the London Social, to find out more from an artist who has managed to form such a clean and refined style in such a short space of time. 

Megan is incredibly down to earth and self aware, determined to create pieces for her clients that are unique and true to her imagination. In an industry that is becoming increasingly saturated, Megan's passion and originality clearly shines through and maybe this is the secret to her success...

@megandotart

This week I was lucky enough to be one of the first to see Loz and Lana's brand new space; South London's new body modification studio - Blank Collective.

With only four years in the industry, Loz is dominating the blackwork scene in the UK right now. Behind the fashion conscious, outgoing and confident exterior I wanted to find out who the real Loz Tattooer is... 

@loz_tattooer
@crystalcanine
@blankcollective

This week i'm in Worcester at Holm Studio joined by Scottish artist and owner, Lewis Holmes.

Lewis is from humble beginnings and got into the industry at an early age, learning to tattoo in a small town in Scotland. The workspace he has created and the fine line conceptual realism style he produces today is the result of a clear vision for the future and an obsessive eye for detail. We talk apprenticeships, motivation and work ethic and finding inspiration for designs as well as the usual issue of how to achieve balance in life.

We are definitely both passionate about pushing the boundaries in tattooing and the industry and this conversation gave me a lot to think about. Hopefully you'll take something from this too... Enjoy!

@lewisholmestattoo
@holmstudio

In this week's episode I sit down with Grace at her new private studio in the centre of Brighton. 

Grace is one of the most genuine and down to earth artists I've had the pleasure of meeting.  She's been a creative for as long as she can remember and her feminine, single needle trad style is the product of her passion and hard work in tattooing over the last five years. Grace is an example of an artist whose love for her craft drives her to create beautiful pieces that give confidence to her clients.

@gracereedtattoo
@honeybadger__tattoo

This week I sit down with Jay at Gold Venom in Aldershot. 

Jay's a fine line floral artist who's developed her hugely popular style over the last five to six years. It was fascinating to hear Jay's journey from shop manager to apprentice, her perspective on the industry today as well as some of the challenges she's faced along the way; being a woman in the industry and balancing work life with motherhood.

@jherellejaytattoo
@goldvenomtattoo

Illustrator turned Tattoo Artist, Mike Stout joins me on this weeks episode at his new workspace; Studio Hatch, in the Lanes, Brighton.

He tells me about his unique journey into the world of tattooing, developing his style and brand, where he draws inspiration from and the importance of enjoying the process.

@mike_stout_tattoo
@studio_hatch

You may know Danny Robinson from MTV's 'Just Tattoo of Us' but what you may not know is the journey that led him to become the success that he is today. In this episode I sit down with him at his studio, The Tattoo Lounge, in his hometown Blackpool to discuss what it's like to be an entrepreneur in the industry, staying humble, self improvement, manifestation and striving to always push the boundaries.

@dannyrobinsontattoo
@thetattooloungeblackpool
@checkmatetattoo_

This weeks episode was recorded at Studio Sans Patrie, London with owner and tattoo artist Delphin Musquet. 

From growing up in Bordeaux, France, Delphin's journey has been one of sheer determination and hard work. As a true creative with no formal art education his story is inspiring - we discuss his outlook on the industry, dealing with criticism, teaching apprentices, collaborations outside tattooing and what's to come in the future. 

@delphinmusquet
@studio.sanspatrie

I recorded this weeks episode with Dan Gulliver aka Gully during my guest spot at his studio; Top Boy Tattoo in Hove, Brighton. 

From asking for an apprenticeship at the age of 14 to hosting 8 booths at this years Brighton Tattoo Convention the guy's been on a journey. We talk seminars, the emotional toll of managing a modern studio and living life on his terms. Gully's a top bloke and ahead of the curve, he likes to keep his tattooing style fresh and personal life and politics off social media. With over 10 years of experience in the industry it's fair to say he knows a bit about tattooing...

@gullytattoo
@topboytattoo

Artists mentioned in this episode (Instagram)
@_mashkow_
@mambotattooer
@inalbersekov

Today I sit down with John Craig, aka The Fake Tattooist, at his huge new private studio in Hove, Brighton. Having previously been on Channel 4's First Dates and more recently SAS Who Dares Wins, I wanted to understand his artistic background and journey into tattooing and the industry. 

We cover the difficulties shop owners face with running a busy studio and the seemingly impossible task of trying to achieve balance in life. John's positive and assured outlook was refreshing and it was inspiring to sit down with someone with such a determined attitude. 

@the_fake_tattooist
@unit__two

Artists mentioned in this episode (Instagram)
@thomascarlijarlier
@ralfnonnweilerta2
@inalbersekov

In this weeks episode I sit down with Connor Pembroke at his house in Bournemouth. Connor's a true creative, graffiti artist and custom lettering specialist. We discuss what it's like to become a tattoo artist and navigate the industry working across multiple studios. We talk inspirations in both personal and work life and how we share a spiritual outlook on the world. Connor's work speaks for itself and now here's the chance to hear more from the artist...

@connorpembroke 

Artists mentioned in this episode (Instagram)
@sacegold_tattoos
@sacredlettering
@brigantetattoo
@edgy_letters_4death
@anthletter
@quattro_is_back

In this episode I join Tyler Hill at Pardon My French in Surrey for an insightful conversation where she shares some of her life and tattoo experiences and gives her perspective on the tattoo industry. This was one of my most enjoyable and thought provoking conversations with an artist to date... enjoy!

@tylerhilltattoo

Artists mentioned in this episode (Instagram)
@lukeaashley
@art.tattoos
@ash_grey

In this episode I reflect on the past few weeks and answer a question which I get asked a lot, "How do I become a Tattoo Apprentice?". I explore what the role entails, securing the position and an insight into the process as a whole. 

In this episode I sit down with Dean S.M. Wright, an artist, poet and one of the newest members of the team at Debut Studios. I learn how he became an artist, share experiences of the trade and explore thoughts on the Tattoo industry and its future.

@dean.s.m.wright

Artists mentioned in this episode (Instagram)
@pawelindulski
@ralfnonnweilerta2
@danielsilva
@mistertroshin
@miles_art

In this episode I explore more about my Tattoo studio and the brand, what it takes to be a shop owner and run a business in the twenty first century as well as the difficulties I've encountered in the process.

In this first episode I offer my perspective on the state of the Tattoo industry as it is today. I touch on my background and the launch of my current brand and business with my vision for the future.