Chats & Tatts

Chats & Tatts host, Aaron Della Vedova, is known for pushing the creative boundaries with every artistic medium he works in. However, his full coverage back pieces, rib to legs, and torso tattoos are definitely his specialty. With long hours tattooing well known musicians, athletes, public figures, influencers and many others, Aaron knows that tattooing heavily involves building a relationship, a bond, with his clients. On Chats & Tatts, he dives into those relationships with his clients, helping tell their stories, share their crazy pasts and path, and many times sharing a glimpse into his guests getting a tattoo on the show. Tune in to get a behind the curtain peek at the world of high level artistic tattooing and those who express themselves through this fascinating, diverse medium while radically redefining the art of modern tattooing.

Chats & Tatts is a arts podcast hosted by Aaron Della Vedova, with 122 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Aaron Della Vedova hosts Chats & Tatts, a arts show with 122 episodes published.

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  Episode #122

  Is AI Ruining Custom Tattooing? (Australia vs. USA Scene) | Jake Straat | Ep. 122

  Sep 23, 20261h 22m

  Are client-prompted AI designs taking over custom tattooing? Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Australian tattooer, shop owner, and podcast host Jake Straat (Rats Get Fat Podcast) to break down the global state of tattooing. From navigating the post-COVID economy to handling clients who run artist flash through ChatGPT, Jake and Aaron discuss the fine line between technical execution and true artistry, modern numbing creams, and why classic watercolor painting remains the ultimate discipline for tattooers. TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 — Introduction & Australian Geography 00:04:00 — Australian Tattoo Styles: Realism, Trad & Japanese 00:08:00 — Post-COVID Economy & The Shift to Smaller Tattoos 00:15:00 — Running a 20-Artist Studio vs. a 2-Man Trad Shop 00:21:00 — The 30-Year Evolution of the Tattoo Industry 00:25:00 — Pricing Differences: USA vs. Australia 00:30:00 — Creating Identity: Tattoos in the Age of Social Media 00:38:00 — AI in Tattooing: Clients Using ChatGPT for Designs 00:45:00 — Will Handmade Art Become a Luxury Flex? 00:52:00 — The Truth About Numbing Creams & Modern Healing 01:15:00 — Why Young Artists MUST Paint Watercolor Flash QUOTES "Every single client is bringing in AI imagery now... It's no longer Pinterest, it's fucking AI." — Jake Straat "We're at a crossroads right now. Are you technically just going to rip tats and do what's asked of you, or are you going to say, 'No, I'm going to draw something'?" — Jake Straat "I don't think there's a lot of people fighting it as much as I thought there would be... Everyone should be able to do anything they want as long as it doesn't hurt people." — Aaron Della Vedova "The iPad art is cool, but it's just ones and zeros at the end of the day. You're not making an artifact when you create iPad art. Paint more flash." — Jake Straat CONNECT WITH JAKE STRAAT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/straats_tatts ️ CONNECT WITH AARON & CHATS & TATTS: Instagram: https://instagram.com/chatsandtatts Aaron Della Vedova: https://instagram.com/aarondellavedova Official Website: https://chatsandtatts.com Guru Tattoo: https://gurutattoo.com

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  Episode #121

  The Dark Side of Tattooing & Why AI is Ruining Art ft. Kirk Nilsen | Ep. 121

  Sep 9, 20261h 28m

  In Episode 121 of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Kirk Nilsen—a pioneer of medieval, woodcut, and architectural ornamental tattooing. In this episode, we discuss: • The early days of ornamental blackwork and overcoming industry backlash • Horror stories from 2000s-era apprenticeships (drug dealers, fake papers, and Sink-or-Swim moments) • The trap of defining your personal identity solely by your job • How AI, Procreate shortcuts, and pattern brushes are eroding original art—and why handmade work will ultimately skyrocket in value • The reality behind 14 years of tattoo shop ownership and making the pivot to Charleston, SC Quotes "Everyone hated it... When the ornamental shit started really going off, every tattooer fucking hated it. I was definitely the new young guy everyone fucking hated." — Kirk Nelsen "Handmade things will increase in value because it's going to become rarer and rarer. When clients see artists bragging about AI, they realize: this guy doesn't give a fuck about your tattoo." — Kirk Nilsen "Potential beats talent if talent doesn't work hard. You've got to be God-given to some degree, but if you're working, getting better, and have that little 'it' thing, it's next level." — Kirk Nilsen "Stop trying to be someone else. That's not how it works. Jackson Pollock was Jackson Pollock—he wasn't trying to be the next guy." — Kirk Nilsen "I don't care about owning a business anymore. I don't want to deal with paperwork or people. I just want to draw pictures, tattoo the pictures, and go home." — Kirk Nilsen

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  Episode #120

  "We Have Enough Tattoo Artists" - Julian Siebert on Apprenticeships & Mastery | Ep. 120

  Aug 26, 20261h 6m

  In this episode of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with world-renowned tattoo artist Julian Siebert from Munich, Germany. Known globally for his incredible large-scale bodysuits, Julian shares his 21-year journey in tattooing, having completed over 200 backpieces and 100 frontpieces. Together, they dive deep into the mindset of high-level tattooing, the controversy surrounding numbing cream, technical setups for maximum efficiency, the real impact of AI and social media on tattoo culture, and why Julian decided his current apprentice will be his last. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcoming Julian Siebert 01:43 - 200+ Backpieces & 100+ Frontpieces: Managing Massive Workload 03:16 - The Sacrifice of Passion: Balancing Work, Family & Friends 04:32 - The "Glass of Water" Philosophy: Choosing Not to Have Kids 07:00 - From Slayer & Slipknot to Quitting School After a Car Crash 11:02 - Tattoos as Psychological Armor: Building Client Self-Confidence 15:50 - Session Lengths: Tackling 7 to 9 Hour Tattoo Sessions 17:25 - The Numbing Cream Debate: "You Want a Tattoo? Earn a Tattoo" 23:32 - 21 Years of Change: Social Media, iPads, & The AI Threat 28:18 - Over-Saturation in the Tattoo Industry & Copycat Styles 33:05 - "We Have Enough Tattoo Artists": Why Julian's 6th Apprentice is His Last 38:34 - Pure Passion: Young Artists Giving Away 3 Days of Free Tattoos 41:45 - The European Economic Crisis & How It Affects Tattooing 45:37 - Technical Masterclass: Layering Blacks, Colors, & Sculpting Lines Last 50:20 - Machine Breakdown: Direct Drive, 4.2mm–4.5mm Stroke Lengths, & Speed 54:25 - Staying Inspired After 20 Years: Out-of-the-Box Thinking 1:02:55 - How to Book an Appointment with Julian Siebert Follow Julian on Instagram: @julian.siebert Follow Chats & Tatts: @chatsandtatts | @aarondellavedova

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  Episode #117

  117. Safety and Professionalism in Tattooing ft. Cathy Montie

  Jul 29, 202659 min

  The tattoo industry has undergone significant transformations in safety and professionalism since the 1960s and 70s, largely due to the efforts of key advocates for health regulations and training. In those early days, tattooing practices were far from the standards we consider safe and professional today. Artists often worked without gloves, used unsanitary equipment, and operated in environments that lacked basic health standards. For example, it was common for tattoo artists to dip sponges into metal buckets of water to clean the skin—a practice that would be deemed unacceptable by today's standards. In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Cathy Montie, a pivotal figure in this transformation, who shares her experiences from those early years, highlighting the chaotic and often unsafe conditions under which tattoos were performed. She recounted how her husband, Gil Montie, tattooed in their living room and later in a makeshift studio within an oil change shop, illustrating the lack of formal training and regulation at the time. Tune in for an insightful look at tattoo history and the ongoing commitment to safety and professionalism in the industry. Chat Highlights: 00:01:06 - Evolution of Tattooing from the 60s to Today 00:01:28 - Importance of Safety in Tattoo Industry 00:02:28 - Challenges of Regulating Tattoo Industry 00:03:31 - Cathy Montie's Bloodborne Pathogen Course 00:06:01 - Moving to Vegas and Tattooing with Doc Dog 00:09:03 - Tattoo Shows and Traveling Lifestyle 00:12:39 - Tattoo Forefathers 00:14:32 - Tattooing on the Carnival Circuit 00:18:14 - Working on the Movie Bound for Honor 00:19:16 - Evolution of Fake Tattoos in Movies 00:20:27 - Influence of Movies on Tattoo Culture 00:22:26 - Early Safety Practices and Needle Sterilization 00:25:01 - Tattooing in the Early 90s in Los Angeles 00:27:14 - Working with Freddy at Ratatatoo 00:29:30 - Leaving Ratatatoo and Moving to Isla Vista 00:32:31 - Opening Absolute Tattoo in San Diego 00:40:13 - Benefits of Retractable Cartridges 00:42:14 - Kathy's Role in Regulatory Changes 00:43:54 - Current Issues with Ink Regulations in Europe and the US Quotes: "How many of you out there would be going into tattoo shops and getting all these tattoos if they were run like they were run in the 60s?" "How crazy is that? Just grabbing someone's bare skin with your hands and cutting into them with a tattoo machine." "All it takes is a handful of really bad shops, somebody gets sick, somebody gets hurt, and now we've got some major problems on many levels." "To enjoy our business. We are in the most amazing business we could be in, working with the public." Stay Connected: Chats & Tatts: 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 Connect with Aaron:⁠ Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠ Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com Connect with Cathy: IG: https://www.instagram.com/cathymontie_bbp

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  Episode #117

  117. Tattooing and Technique: Do It Scared ft Sebastian Kristen

  Jul 15, 202633 min

  In the tattoo industry, cultivating relationships and fostering a sense of community is essential for artists, as it provides them with support, inspiration, and a platform for growth. This podcast episode highlights the journey of tattoo artist Sebastian Kristen, who initially grappled with insecurities about social interactions and attending conventions. Despite these fears, he discovered that the tattoo community is filled with kind and supportive individuals, ultimately encouraging him to engage more with others in the field. Join host Aaron Della Vedova as he interviews tattoo artists at Mondial du Tatouage tattoo convention in Paris. He introduces listeners to an exciting new artist, Sebastian Kristen, whose incredible work left a lasting impression on him. Tune in for insights into the vibrant world of tattoo art and the connections that make it so special! Chat Highlights: [00:02:22] Self-taught tattooing journey. [00:06:10] Tattoo healing process and techniques. [00:08:18] The client experience. [00:10:23] Tattoo pigment techniques and effects. [00:15:34] Social media's impact on tattooing. [00:19:13] Tattoo history documentation challenges. [00:23:20] Decorative tattoo movement on women. [00:27:53] Future of tattooing trends. [00:32:06] Tattoo artistry and branding. Quotes: "You really have to stick to it and most people can't." "If you put pigment on the left and on the right, and then you put something in between that, the left and the right pigment holds it there." "I was always way too lazy to post a lot and way too scared to go out to conventions." "Since the last 10,000 years, every new generation was worse." "Let's treat the tattoo like a dress." "The sad thing is, I think it will become less interesting before it becomes more interesting." "Social media is breaking us, man." Stay Connected: Chats & Tatts: 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 Connect with Aaron:⁠ Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠ Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com Connect with Sebastian: https://www.instagram.com/sebastiankristentattoo IG: https://www.instagram.com/justinweatherholtz/

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