Chats & Tatts

In this recent podcast episode featuring Ghis Melou, a seasoned tattoo artist and owner of Half Wolf Tattoo, the significance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life emerges as a central theme, along with the challenges that come with creating large-scale body art. 
Host Aaron De La Vedova sits down with Ghis Melou, the owner of Half Wolf Tattoo, live from the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, France. Ghis shares insights into his artistic style, which beautifully fuses traditional American and Japanese tattoo techniques with bold colors. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the tattooing process, the challenges of the industry, and the dedication required to create stunning body art. Follow Ghis on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ghis_melou_tattooer to see his impressive body of work.
Chat Highlights:
 
00:00:53 - Balancing Work and Family Life
00:01:34 - Ghis Melou's Tattooing Journey
00:03:13 - Tattoo Styles and Longevity
00:04:01 - Realism in Tattooing
00:05:06 - Efficiency in Tattooing
00:07:21 - Pain and the Tattoo Process
00:10:14 - Numbing Creams and Anesthesia in Tattooing
00:12:02 - Meditation and Spiritual Growth Through Pain
00:12:57 - Tattoo Machines: Coils vs. Pens
00:14:45 - Characteristics of a Great Client
00:16:43 - Evolution of the Tattoo Industry
00:18:05 - Future of Tattooing
00:19:52 - Tattoo Consultation Process
00:22:13 - Importance of Client Satisfaction
Quotes:
"After 16 years, you've got to find some balance."
"It's not like time should be the most considerable thing when you're creating art. Like, art takes as much time as it takes, you know?"
"I think pain is part of the process, and people have to understand it."
"It's almost like that is opening a doorway to the client. You could have some of my energy 
"You have to find peace inside of your pain, really."
"Someone who knows what they want, but gives you freedom artistically enough."
"I hope it's going to go back to more passionate people, maybe passionate tattooers and passionate clients."
"The design has to talk to you. Otherwise, it's better not to get tattoos, really."
"I don't want to do anything else."
 
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 Ghis:
IG:https://www.instagram.com/Ghis_Melou_tattooer

The therapeutic aspect of tattooing is a profound theme explored in the podcast episode featuring Aaron Della Vedova and tattoo artist Marty Early. Throughout their conversation, they delve into how tattoos can serve as powerful tools for healing and personal transformation, particularly for individuals coping with trauma.
In this and upcoming episodes of "Chats and Tatts," Aaron takes us to the vibrant Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, where he interviews tattoo artists from around the world. With over a decade of experience, Marty shares insights into his impressive neo-traditional and neo-Japanese tattoo styles, characterized by bold colors and clean designs. The conversation delves into Marty's involvement in the show "Tattoo Cover" on TFX, which focuses on cover-up tattoos and transformative scar work for individuals with traumatic pasts. Marty highlights the human aspect of tattooing, emphasizing how the show aims to change perspectives on life through art. 
Join Aaron and Marty for a heartfelt discussion about art, healing, and the deeper meanings tattoos can hold in people's lives.
Chat Highlights:
 
00:00:46 - Marty's Tattooing Background
00:01:23 - Tattoo Cover TFX Show
00:01:33 - Cover-ups and Human Connection
00:02:16 - Therapeutic Aspects of Tattooing
00:05:35 - Client Collaboration in Tattoo Art
00:06:50 - Tattoos and Emotional Release
00:08:09 - Acupuncture and Emotional Release
00:09:03 - Pain and Healing in Tattooing
00:10:08 - Suffering and Success
00:14:21 - Advances in Numbing Creams
00:15:38 - Losing the Pain Experience
00:18:57 - Tattooing as Part of Identity
00:19:08 - Enjoying Life Outside Tattooing
 
Quotes:
 
"It's not about only tattoos, it's about connections, it's about human relations."
"When I look in the mirror, I don't want to see the guy who went to war. I want to see a new person."
"Sometimes those people, tattoos are the only thing that kept them above the surface."
"There is no great, great pleasure without having experienced great, great pain."
"What's most important are the clients, the people. It's not your peers, it's not other artists, it's not other tattooers."
 
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 Marty:
IG:https://www.instagram.com/martyearly

Pain management is a vital component of the tattooing process that can significantly influence both the client experience and the quality of the final artwork. As discussed in the podcast episode, effective pain management not only helps clients endure longer sessions but also enables tattoo artists to work more efficiently and produce superior results.
This week's guest is renowned tattoo artist Cindy Maxwell, whose stunning, large-format, Japanese-inspired tattoos have captivated many for over 27 years. Hailing from San Francisco, Cindy shares insights into her tattooing journey, her passion for fitness through jiu-jitsu and CrossFit, and her nomadic lifestyle.  Join us as we delve into the world of tattooing and explore Cindy's unique perspective on art and life. Don't forget to check out her stunning work on Instagram at @Cindy_Maxwell.
 Don't miss this inspiring episode filled with art, passion, and heartfelt stories!
[00:02:03] Collaboration between tattoo artists.
[00:05:08] Numbing cream in tattooing.
[00:11:40] Pain management in tattooing.
[00:15:34] Creating your own life.
[00:17:16] Pursuing an art career.
[00:24:34] Japanese tattoo culture exploration.
[00:32:06] Life in a sprinter van.
[00:34:55] Fear of being ordinary.
[00:39:10] The nature of consciousness.
[00:41:36] Gypsy lifestyle and personal growth.
[00:48:48] Collective energy in tattoo shops.
[00:54:12] Tattoo trends among youth.
[01:01:09] Creative evolution of black tattoos.
[01:06:32] Tattooing and business marketing challenges.
[01:10:05] Tattooing career challenges today.
[01:13:43] Apprenticeship in tattooing today.
 
Quotes:
 
"The reality is they're just not ready to go through it at that moment."
 
"I'm here to be of service, within reason."
 
"I got into tattooing as a way to get into a group of folks that I felt were nonjudgmental."
 
"Most of us got into tattooing because we are creative types who don't like being told what to do, and we want to create our own life."
 
"I've always thought about like, you got to go where you grow."
 
"I have had this idea for my whole life, I think that there are infinite ways to live a life and it would be a shame to just pick one."
 

"As people, our best and worst qualities are the same thing. And I realized that cities are the same."
 
"I think a tattoo can be anything somebody wants it to be."
 
"You can only take so much from a business that you don't put more back into."
 
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 Cindy:
IG:https://www.instagram.com/cindy_maxwell

From South Africa to the global tattoo stage, Oliver Kenton didn't follow a straight line — he followed geometry. In this episode of Chats & Tatts with host Aaron Della Vedova, we sit down with Oliver to talk about the long road behind his unmistakable geometric and ornamental tattoo work.
What started as an obsession with pattern, structure, and precision became a way of making sense of movement, identity, and starting over in a new country. Oliver opens up about: Growing up in South Africa and how that environment shaped his eye and why geometry became his language when words weren't enough.
The discipline, patience, and control behind large-scale geometric tattoos, his migration, reinvention, and building a life through art are explored in this open, honest chat. His work isn't about trends — it's about order, balance, and intention. This conversation goes deeper than needles and skin. It's about spirituality and the impact of DMT experiences, finding stability through repetition, carving identity through lines, and trusting the process even when the path isn't clear.
Chat Highlights:
00:00 — Why leaving home shaped everything.
03:48 — How patterns, precision, and repetition became his language.
08:32 — Tattooing as control, discipline, and meditation.
14:10 — Trusting the long game.
19:45 — Large-Scale Commitment
31:06 — Permanence Means Something
42:20 — The Energy Exchange
47:55 — Not Chasing Trends
53:40 — Tattoos as a Record of Time
1:05:00 — What Success Really Looks Like
1:16:20 — Advice for Artists Coming Up
Quotes:
"Geometry gave me order when everything else felt uncertain."
"There was no straight path from South Africa to here — just lines I trusted."
"I don't tattoo trends. I tattoo intention."
"Repetition isn't boring — it's where discipline turns into freedom."
"When someone trusts you with their skin, that responsibility is everything."
"Large-scale work teaches patience — not just to the client, but to the artist."
"Tattooing became the place where chaos finally made sense."
"Every line is a decision you have to stand behind forever."
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 Horikei:
IG:https://www.instagram.com/oliverkenton

Creating a comfortable and empathetic environment for clients during tattoo sessions is essential for enhancing their overall experience and effectively managing pain. In a recent podcast episode featuring tattoo artist Jen Tonic, several strategies were discussed to achieve this goal.
Host Aaron Della Vedova welcomes Jen from Lüneburg, Germany. Jen's unique style blends neo-traditional and large-format decorative elements with a touch of art-nouveau and nature themes, creating stunning pieces that reflect her artistic vision. As the conversation unfolds, Aaron and Jen discuss the nuances of her tattooing process, the importance of creating a comfortable environment for clients, and the seasonal changes in her garden as winter approaches in northern Germany. Tune in for an engaging discussion about art, creativity, and the tattooing process that includes a cozy atmosphere that Jen ensures for her clients.
Listeners are encouraged to check out Jen's captivating work on Instagram (@jentonic) while enjoying this insightful discussion about art, creativity, and the tattooing experience.
Chat Highlights:
[00:03:01] Early influences in art.
[00:04:44] Finding a tattoo apprenticeship.
[00:09:04] Being a woman in tattooing.
[00:18:27] Pain management during tattoo sessions.
[00:19:20] Client comfort during tattooing.
[00:30:10] Finding balance in tattooing.
[00:32:46] Expressing art through looseness.
[00:39:37] Tattoo trends in modern culture.
[00:42:01] Online avatars and self-expression.
[00:46:14] AI's impact on art.
[00:50:11] Analog art in a digital age.
[00:56:48] Passion for tattooing.
[00:57:45] Tattoo career dedication.
 
Quotes:
 
"I really want him to lay down be like oh this is actually kind of nice and comfy so okay like maybe I can sit through this."
 
"I always wanted to have my own style... I want it to be recognizable."
 
"I almost didn't get the apprenticeship because there was one guy in the shop who didn't want a woman in the shop."
 
"I think the big thing there is with Instagram, and just the internet in general, it's kind of like evens the playing field."
 
"These little creature comforts send a message and the message is I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to make beautiful art with you."
 
"I've realized that it's okay to also have other things going on that basically give me more energy so I don't burn out on my job as a tattooer."
 
"Tattooing does not only exist within perfect lines, I think."
 
"I suspect this, and Scott Campbell, really smart tattooer from Los Angeles, brought this up to me, and I think he's right: people can express themselves now through their social content."
 
"I don't think anyone's going to end up with a thriving tattoo career that doesn't give it everything they've got in those early years."
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 Jen:
IG:https://www.instagram.com/JenTonic/