Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by guest XéU Leite. They dive deep into XéU's tattoo journey that began in a tiny studio in Lisbon and led her to craft her unique style blending medieval and modern designs. The conversation spans topics like the philosophy behind body art, cultural appreciation versus appropriation, experiences with botched tattoos, and new trends such as robot tattoo machines. The episode also features a ...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Send us a text In this episode of the podcast, the hosts interview David Santiago, a scalp micropigmentation (SMP) specialist. David shares his journey from being a licensed master barber to becoming an SMP artist, discussing his experiences, training, and techniques involved in the process. He explains the differences between traditional tattoos and SMP, addressing common misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of proper training. Throughout the episode, David touches on the emotional imp...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Send us a text Join hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano on the latest episode of the On Tattoo Tour Podcast, presented by Tattoo Smart, Tattoo Pro, and Steadfast Tattoo Supplies. Our guest Alyssa McCusker from South Jersey shares her fascinating journey from web developer to tattoo artist, revealing the inspiration and challenges she faced along the way. The discussion dives deep into the realities of the tattoo industry, including financial misconceptions and the evolving landscape of tattooing edu...
Jun 30, 2025•51 min
Send us a text Join us in this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast as we sit down with special guest Chloe, aka Bug Pin Bunny. Hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, we delve into Chloe's tattoo journey, her experiences in the industry, and her unique style of black and grey fine line tattoos. Chloe shares her thoughts on the challenges tattoo artists face, from maintaining work-life balance to evolving as an artist while creating memes We also touch on the importance of posting healed work, t...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Send us a text Welcome back to the Honest Tattooer Podcast! In this episode, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano, bare joined by special guest Vega. The episode dives into tattoo shop pet peeves, from artist enthusiasm disparities to cleanliness and professionalism concerns. They discuss shop dynamics, the implications of artists doing pop-up events, and how these actions can affect the shop's business. They also explore the impact of AI on various industries and make predictions about its future ro...
Jun 16, 2025•49 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by a special guest, Joe Swanson. Joe shares his extensive journey in the tattoo industry. They discuss Joe's involvement with Tattoo Pro software and its impact on tattoo shops. The conversation delves into the importance of tattoo history, classic designs, and the evolution of tattoo technology. They also touch on regulatory changes affecting the industry and the significance of supporting ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano, we dive deep into the world of tattoo artistry with our special guest, Christian Perez. We are also joined by old friends Joe Capobiano and Lalo Yunda as we explore various aspects of tattoo culture and industry trends. From the challenges of traveling for tattoo conventions to the impact of AI on the art world, this episode covers it all. We discuss the importance of authentic connections over so...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Send us a text In this episode, the Honest Tattooer Podcast features a deep dive with Tony Romel, the man behind Tattoo Society Magazine. Tony shares his journey from working with another tattoo magazine to creating his own successful publication. He talks about the challenges of starting a magazine, the evolution of Tattoo Society, and his experiences traveling to various tattoo conventions around the world. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of the tattoo community, the differences ...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Trioapm are joined by special guest Tommy Houlahan, a veteran tattoo artist from Times Square, NYC. They dive into Tommy's extensive tattooing career, his experience working in Times Square, and his perspective on the significant changes in the industry over the years. The discussion takes an intriguing turn as they explore the impact of religious and demonic imagery in tattoos, the spiritual significance behi...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text Join hosts Jon Mesa, Matt Truiano, as they welcome special guest Matthew Ellis to discuss all things tattooing. From Matt's extensive experience since 1997, his preference for large colorful tattoos, to memorable stories of Star Wars-themed back pieces and the evolution of the tattoo scene, the conversation is full of fascinating insights. The episode also covers: -the impact of oversaturation in the industry, -hard vs. soft -the personal connections formed with clients through lo...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text The Intersection of Tattooing and Fine Art | The Honest Tattooer Podcast Welcome back to the Honest Tattooer Podcast! Jon Mesa and G Money sit down with Akos Strener, a renowned tattoo artist from Hungary specializing in black and grey realism, to discuss his unique journey in the tattoo industry. Rener shares his experiences from starting in 1998, drawing inspiration for his paintings from his tattoo career, and navigating the conventions of modern and digital art. The team delve...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Send us a text Andi Ink from Chicago and the crew discuss Andi's journey from apprenticeship to becoming a tattoo artist, her experience with conventions, and the aspects that drive her passion for tattooing. The conversation also touches upon the importance of connecting with clients, the nuances of different tattoo styles, and the exciting news of Andi hosting the Third Coast Tattoo Show in Chicago. Tune in for insights into the tattoo community, the significance of creating a positive tattoo ...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano sit down with guest Ryan Roi to discuss a wide range of topics. Ryan talks about his recent trip to Costa Rica where he planned a men's retreat alongside tattoo industry legends like Dan kuban and Ben Shaw. The group discusses the concept of balancing masculine and feminine energies, the importance of sound baths, and the spiritual aspects of the retreat. The hosts also delve into the idea of automated...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano welcome special guest Alena Wedderburn, a talented tattoo artist from Russia. Alena shares her journey in the world of tattooing, from starting in her dorm room to working at prestigious studios and tattooing professional athletes. The conversation covers her experience on Ink Master, techniques for black and gray realism, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career. The episode ...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, Jon Mesa and co-host Matt Truiano sit down with their guest, Adam Harmon. Adam shares his journey from apprenticeship to becoming a full-time tattoo artist at Hope Gallery Tattoo in New Haven, Connecticut. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including the challenges of long apprenticeships, the appeal of classic cartoon tattoos, and the differences in tattoo culture between urban and rural areas. They also delve into the nua...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer podcast, Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by special guest Kai Watai, a tattoo artist with 16 years of experience specializing in Polynesian tattoos. Kai shares her journey into tattooing, starting with her apprenticeship at 16, and discusses the cultural significance and evolution of Polynesian tattoos. The conversation covers the history and challenges of preserving tattoo traditions, the impact of colonization, and the intricacies of d...
Mar 17, 2025•55 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, special guest Kirk Nilsen shares his intriguing journey from playing in punk rock bands to becoming a renowned tattoo artist. Kirk, owner of Crown Anchor Tattoo in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, talks about his 17-year career in the tattoo industry, specializing in large-scale ornamental and gothic architectural tattoos. The conversation delves into his early struggles, the challenges of running a p...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Send us a text Join Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano, and special guests Lalo Yunda from Colombia and Ozzy Garcia from Puerto Rico in a lively episode of The Honest Tattooer Podcast. Ozzy shares how his path to specializing in Polynesian tattoos took him from Puerto Rico to New Zealand, working in historic tattoo shops and learning from master artists. The group discusses the importance of energy and personality in tattooing, the impact of TV and social media on the industry, and the technical details ...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Messa and Matt Truiano welcome the talented Magie Serpica, a seasoned tattoo artist with 24 years of experience. Magie discusses her journey from Brooklyn to Staten Island, emphasizing the evolution of the tattoo industry from a flash-based world to specialized art styles. They delve into her experiences at various tattoo conventions, notably her challenging yet enlightening experience at the recent Philly Tattoo Convention...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text Join Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano on the Honest Tattooer Podcast with special guests Ermes, Vega, and Matt Buck. They dive deep into their tattooing experiences and preferences, discussing favorite inks, needles, and machines. The conversation explores the impact of AI on various fields, including tattooing and medicine, and debates the future of the tattoo industry with new artists entering the field. The episode also touches on the historical influence of Ukiyo-e art and contempora...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Send us a text Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano are joined by tattoo artists G Money and special guest Gerald Feliciano. Gerald shares his journey from starting as a tattoo artist in Brooklyn in the early 2000s to owning his own shop. He discusses the challenges and growth he experienced, including his early struggles in the Bronx, his transition to a private studio, and the importance of continuously learning and improving different tattoo styles. The episode also features a tattoo critique segment an...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text Join Jon Mesa, Matt Truiano, G Money, and special guest Nico on this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast. Nico, a fine line tattoo artist based in Brooklyn, NY, shares his journey from apprenticeship to mastering fine line and chrome tattoos. The discussion covers Nico's experiences with his mentor, the significance of understanding light sourcing in tattoos, and the intricacies of working with challenging tattoo placements. The group also delves into the importance of social m...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Send us a text Join hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano on the Honest Tattooer podcast as they dive into an enriching conversation with special guest Eric Whitman. In this episode, Eric shares his journey of 10 years in the tattoo industry, focusing on traditional tattoos and his aspirations to tackle larger illustrative work. The discussion delves deep into Eric’s personal experiences, his spiritual journey through Hinduism, and his insights on karma, culture, and the art of tattooing. Eric reflect...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, the team chats with special guest Joshua Clark from Sinful Skin in Danielson, Connecticut. With over eight years of experience, Joshua shares his journey into the world of tattooing, his preference for colorful realism and new school styles, and valuable tips for improving tattooing skills. The discussion covers analyzing your work, the importance of proper shading, learning techniques from YouTu...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, our hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano celebrate the New Year with a fun and competitive twist. They introduce a variety of tattoo artists, including Aaron Moonan, Nikki Simpson, and Joe Capobianco, who discuss their backgrounds and tattoo styles. The main event is a lively game of Pictionary, where the artists take turns drawing and guessing challenging tattoo-themed prompts. Hilarity ensues as the teams vie for points, struggling with...
Jan 13, 2025•28 min
Send us a text In this lively and insightful episode, a group of tattoo artists delve deep into various topics, including the role of AI in art, the importance of maintaining traditional artistry, and the impact of digital tools on creativity. They also share their personal New Year's resolutions, focusing on artistic growth, community building, and personal development. Join the conversation as they discuss the challenges and rewards of being a professional tattoo artist in a rapidly evolving i...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Send us a text In this special Christmas episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosted by John Mesa and Matt Truiano, guest Dean Sahar shares his fascinating journey into the world of tattooing. From his early days hanging out in tattoo shops in Israel and London, through his extensive industry experience, to finally becoming an apprentice under the legendary Anil Gupta, Dean's story is both inspirational and educational. The episode also touches on the importance of drawing skills, the transit...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Send us a text Join Jon Mesa, Matt Truiano, and the Honest Tattooer crew as they dive deep into the world of tattooing with special guests Elliot Wells and Joe Capobianco. This episode covers a range of topics from the evolution of tattooing techniques, conventions, the impact of social media, to the changing dynamics in the tattoo community. Hear first-hand experiences, hilarious stories, and valuable insights from veteran tattoo artists. Don't miss this candid discussion on maintaining the art...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Honest Tattooer podcast, hosts Jon Mesa, Matt Truiano, and G Money welcome special guests Elliot Wells and Joe Capobianco. The group discusses various topics including Elliot's artistic evolution from Japanese florals to a unique style influenced by Covid-19, and the impact of physical issues like carpal tunnel and arthritis on his work. They also touch on the importance of adjusting techniques for tattoo longevity, the role of luck and social media in an ar...
Dec 09, 2024•46 min
