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
After trying to get this in the diary for nearly a year, I finally managed to sit down with Ellis Cooper. With a career spanning nearly a decade, from modelling for FHM and Nuts to tattooing across the world, I can safely say that Ellis is one of the most authentic and gracious people i’ve had the pleasure to meet. I wanted to dig deeper to understand the real journey she’s been on - we discuss overcoming adversity, judgement within the industry and expression through creative mediums.
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
This week it’s an honour to join Lal Hardy, one of British tattooing’s most prolific figures at his world famous North London studio New Wave Tattoo. A man who’s been established in the trade for over 40 years now and helped bring tattooing into the mainstream an hour wasn’t nearly long enough to learn of all the stories this man has to tell. An incredibly thought provoking conversation covering the vast changes the art form has witnessed, paying homage to those who came before and what we might expect to see in the future this was just the tip of the iceberg and a conversation I’ll never forget.
I’m back in Brighton this week at the Doll House, the feminist ran inclusive space founded by friends Dolly and Georgina. Highlighting the importance of mental health within tattooing, creating positive change and advocating safety within the industry this conversation might be just what everyone needs to hear. @dollytattoos @georgelangfordtattoo @georginaxlangford @thedollhousebtn
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
After first meeting Paul at Liverpool Tattoo Convention 2019, I was keen to catch up and see how life and tattooing has changed for him since then. Based at Bold Street Tattoo, Warrington he’s recognised for his graffiti background, bold style, freehand gap fillers and unique colour palette. I was keen to delve deeper into what motivates the man behind the career, known for his resilience training and pushing beyond his limits.
Day two of our North West Tour begins at Artemis Tattoo studio with black and grey artist, Dale Mcgovern. Dale has built a solid reputation throughout Manchester, especially with high profile clients - but what has it taken for him to get there? We chat about sheer determination, significant moments on his journey and what the future holds for him.
I’m not sure there’s anyone in the industry who hasn’t heard of Butterluxe. Visiting owner Lewis and marketing manager Alex at their huge new warehouse, I was keen to learn more about the beginnings of the company and what it really took to get the brand to where it is today. Thank you for both being so welcoming, exciting times lay ahead…
The first stop on our North West Tour this weekend was spent with renowned dark black and grey artist Arron Raw and his apprentice turned recent junior artist Lewi Morgan. We cover everything from Lewi’s journey from touring musician on the world stage to Arron’s success in the States and the secret to their working relationship. Thank you both for being so open and honest, this was a conversation to remember…
Will, aka Anshin Anshin, is an artist and illustrator from Cheshire, now settled in Brighton and based at it’s longest established studio in the heart of the lanes, Blue Dragon Tattoo. I caught up with him to find out how he creates his bold, distinctive and perfectly executed style.
It’s not everyday you come across someone as down to earth as Abi, but this week I had the opportunity to sit down with her (and Zeus 🐶) at her private space in Surrey to learn more about a woman who’s used to being in the public eye. With nearly half a million followers online and an artist through and through I wanted to know what life is like for her now following her appearance on Love Island, moments that have defined her career, how she’s perfected her ornate feminine style and if theres anything she’d have done differently…
I had the pleasure of visiting Mr J Best at Sixty Ink, London this week for an unique insight into his creative journey. Growing up in Reading and moving into London to pursue his tattooing career now spanning over 10 years, we discuss his appearance on MTVs Just Tattoo of Us, his creative vision in a constantly developing industry and how he overcame a failed business venture. I took a lot from this conversation, I hope you can too.
One of the leading traditional tattoo artists in the UK right now, it was a pleasure to sit down with Hudson Tattoo at Lock and Key, Worcester. Marking his 10 years in the industry in 2023, we talk clean, solid tattooing with longevity in mind and breaking down subject matter into its simplest, most recognisable form.
Rich Harris produces striking, abstract, colour surrealist pieces all over Europe, and this week I had the opportunity to sit down with him at his studio Dark Horse Collective. Rich’s entrepreneurial mindset and need to create is inspiring, we discuss embarking on his tattoo career in his 30’s, how he sources his references and what he thinks is most important to convey in his work.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Jason James this week at Moth and Flame to discuss the inspiration behind his distinct, dark, illustrative style.
18 years deep into the industry, he is no stranger to thinking outside the box; collaborating with global brands and pushing the envelope on what is possible, both inside and out of the industry. Thank you Jason for such an insightful conversation and I hope you as the listener can gain as much from this as I did!
I caught up with Nipper & Martinez ahead of their second collaboration at this years Brighton Tattoo Convention, to learn more about each of the artists behind the work and the key to their working relationship.
Two outstanding and experienced artists in their own right, this conversation was a right laugh and we got to the bottom of some of the real obstacles facing the industry right now. Hands down one of the best conversations to date.
Chris has been in the game for 16 years now, and I visited him at one of his Colchester studios, Six Three Academy to discuss his journey.
A black and grey realism artist focusing on animals and portraiture he opened up Six Three Tattoo; a creative space home to 9 artists and more recently opened up Six Three Academy; hosting seminars with some of the UK’s top artists.
Chris is known for sharing knowledge and positivity within the industry and I enjoyed sitting down to learn just how far the industry has come… and where it’s heading.
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