Best color realism roses and the best mom—Monique can do it all!

In this episode, we discussed how Monique got into tattooing, how having a newborn affected her career, how to grow your career by improving your tattoos and social media, tips for color realism roses, and more. 

Monique Elizabeth is a resident artist at Black Rose Studio in Londonderry, NH. For two years she was a resident artist at Eden. She is a frequent teacher and teaches tattoo seminars often, including a presentation at our 2023 Eden Summer Symposium, and two hands-on seminars at Eden.

MONIQUE’S IG: @_vividdreams

BOBBY JOHNSON’S SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/bobby-seminar
EDEN WINTER SYMPOSIUM: edenbodyartstudios.com/edenwintersymposium
COLTON’S WEBINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/coltonwebinar
UPLIFT DESK - STANDING TATTOO BED: edenbodyartstudios.com/upliftdesk

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

MEET THE CONTENT TEAM! Well, almost all of them.

In today's BONUS episode of the podcast we sit down with Eden Content Creators Lexie Newell & Ian McKenyon to hear about their experiences in joining the Eden Team. We also dive into each of their content journeys and the rise of solent content in the tattoo industry. Everyone has inspiration, but just remember to keep it authentic and NEVER copy.

IAN'S IG: @iantheemckenyon
LEXIE'S IG: @7x7newell

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

HOST of Ink Master: Angels and contestant on Ink Master Season 8 Nikki Simpson joins the show.

In this episode, we talked about how Ink Master encourages conflict to create characters, standing out as a woman in the tattoo industry, behind the scenes of reality TV, how to succeed as a tattoo artist, and more.

Nikki Simpson is based in NYC and her speciality tattoo style is illustrative realism. She frequently works with artists teaching them how to draw and tattoo, and enjoys teaching tattoo seminars and tattoo apprentices.

NIKKI’S IG: @nikkisimpsontattoos
EVERBLACK IG: @everblacktattoostudio
EVERBLACK WEBSITE: everblacktattoo.com

ALLEGORY DISCOUNT CODE: “EDEN20” allegoryink.com
DMITRY’S DALLAS 3RL ONLY WORKSHOP: troshin.com/workshop
COLTON’S WEBINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/coltonwebinar
UPLIFT DESK - STANDING TATTOO BED: edenbodyartstudios.com/upliftdesk

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

AI is FOREVER Changing the Tattoo Industry and we dive into the topic of using AI for tattoo design creation.

Sara Fabel is a illustrative realism black and grey tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, California. She’s lived in Finland, New Zealand, Australia, England, and Portland, and achieved fame before starting tattooing with her modeling career. She’s often featured by Inked Magazine, and her artistic skills match her notoriety.

In this episode, we discussed how she designs tattoos using AI and its ethical implications, her tattoo apprenticeship and how she started tattooing, her traumatic one-day tattoo apprenticeship, and more.

ALLEGORY DISCOUNT CODE: “EDEN20” allegoryink.com
DMITRY’S WORKSHOP: troshin.com/workshop
COLTON’S WEBINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/coltonwebinar

SARA’S INSTAGRAM: @sarafabel
SARA’S WEBSITE: sara-fabel.myshopify.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Ink Master favorites Holli Marie and Katie McGowan came on the show to catch up with Deanna! No Colton for this episode--Gals just Gal-in.

In this episode, we talked about teaching tattoo seminars, the unique experience of being on Ink Master and the public scrutiny and pressures as a result of being on the show and being a woman, body positivity, tattoo conventions, Holli's new tattoo studio, and more.

Holli Marie is a traditional tattoo artist based in Middletown, Connecticut, and is the owner of Gold Tooth Tattoo Company. She appeared on season 12 of Ink Master.

Katie McGowan specializes in traditional-inspired color tattoos. She is the co-owner of Love Spell Tattoo in Little Rock, Arkansas. She appeared on season 6 and 9 of Ink Master.

Holli, Katie, and Deanna all appeared on the all-star season 14 of Ink Master.

DEANNA'S INSTAGRAM: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S WEBSITE: deannaart.com

HOLLI'S INSTAGRAM: @hollimarieart
HOLLI'S WEBSITE: hollimarieart.com

KATIE'S INSTAGRAM: @katietattoos
KATIE'S WEBSITE: lovespelltattoo.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Bobby Johnson is BACK on the podcast after winning Ink Master season 14. In this episode we talked about Bobby being recognized after Ink Master, how his life has been since winning, learning what it TRULY means to burn bridges, and a new clothing line??

Deanna was out of the studio for this episode so we had Eden resident artist Taylor Phelps fill in as a cohost with Colton.

BOBBY'S INSTAGRAM: @glendalebully
TAYLOR'S INSTAGRAM: @taylornphelps

1:26 Eden podcast BTS
3:16 Aaron Davis and top 5 breads
11:36 Being recognized from Ink Master
14:58 Survivor’s guilt and Bobby’s evolved style
20:20 Ink Master season 15 finale
25:46 Life after winning Ink Master
33:22 Dealing with stress and mental health of Ink Master 
38:20 Tattoo conventions and fake people
42:00 Ink Master bubble and new judges
44:51 Self-reflection and criticism
46:56 Freddie’s Albrighton’s tattoo style
50:55 Behind the scenes of the Ink Master finale
57:08 Taylor Phelps 
1:06:37 Several, Bobby’s clothing brand 

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Aaron Davis was a contest on Ink Master season 15 and is renowned for his Afro-Americana traditional tattoos. He speaks often on the importance of inclusivity in tattooing, and he mostly tattoos black clients with subject matters and illustrations that resonate with them.

In this episode we discussed how to build a portfolio with black skin as a tattoo artist, the societal phenomenons that can keep people from getting tattooed, how Aaron's time as a children's-book illustrator helped him to grow in his tattoo career, and how he learned to tattoo.

Our studio manager Nicole day filled in to co-host for Colton on this episode.

AARON'S INSTAGRAM: @aarondavistattoos
AARON'S TIKTOK: @aarondavistattoos

3:00 Being on camera and social media 
5:12 Afro-Americana tattoos
11:49 Tips for tattooing black people and societal pressures
20:07 How to provide good customer service
25:07 Tattoo apprenticeships and how to become a tattoo artist
33:23 How Aaron became a tattoo artist
41:45 Spreading positivity and love
45:33 Aaron's goals as a tattoo artist and Ink Master
50:57 Work-life balance 
59:30 Aaron’s tattoo apprenticeship and learning how to tattoo
1:05:06 Discipline and consistency 
1:13:45 Polyamory and relationships 
1:21:40 Being a non-tattoo artist in the industry

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Tattoo Visa has an unbelievable track record when it comes to visa approvals for tattoo artists: 100%. Lead attorney Katia Teirstein joined the show to discuss how O-1 visas and EB-1 green cards work for tattoo artists, how she learned how the tattoo industry works, and how her firm helps international artists navigate the immigration process.

Tattoo Visa is an NYC-based, all-female boutique law firm dedicated to helping some of the world's best tattoo artists immigrate to the United States. They have upwards of 300 clients at a time, and their efforts have resulted in over 1,000 visa approvals. Recently, they helped Eden resident artist Tam Gallardo secure an O1 visa and immigrate from Argentina. Their outstanding client lists includes famous tattoo artists such as Yomico Moreno, Jose Contreras, Daniel Luzardo, and Darwin Enriquez.

In their dedication to serving the tattoo industry, they have guidebooks available for artists and tattoo studios (petitioners) looking to start this process.
 
TATTOO VISA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tattoovisa/
TATTOO VISA WEBSITE AND CONTACT: https://www.tattoovisa.com/
TATTOO VISA GUIDEBOOKS: https://www.tattoovisa.com/guides

2:08 Tattoo artist requirements for an O1 visa
4:50 Starting a business and working with Paul Booth
8:52 Learning how the tattoo industry works
10:13 What Tattoo Visa does for clients
18:04 Minimum requirements to getting a visa 
27:32 Content and marketing strategies
33:00 Differences between collaborating, gatekeeping, and copying
38:18 Fitting in with tattoo artists
41:12 Tattoo Visa app and how it increases productivity and workflow 
46:35 Growth of the business
51:35 How long does a visa take and the consequences of working without visa
1:00:24 How tattoo studios help with the visa process
1:09:40 Process of getting Tam's visa approved

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

How does one of the most respected tattoo artists for nearly two decades feel about how the industry is going right now?

Justin Hartman came to Dallas to teach a hands-on seminar and we had him on the podcast. We discussed his experiences and how they can apply to topics such as how tattoo apprenticeships work and how to improve your drawing skills, how to build your notoriety, reputation, and brand, how to approach tattoo designs and drawings, how to inspire other artists, content creation, photography, and video editing for social media, and more.

Justin has been one of the most respected, prestigious tattoo artists in the industry for nearly two decades. He’s inspired and influenced countless tattooers. He’s best known for his large scale designs and illustrations. His style can broadly be labeled as neotradtional or illustrative, but his main subject matters—lady faces, animals, skulls, and flowers—have a soft, yet bold, realistic feel.

JUSTIN'S INSTAGRAM: @justinhartmanart
JUSTIN'S WEBSITE: justinhartmanart.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Imagine if "Parts Unknown" was based on tattoos, rather than food. Dakota Weik ("Inked Abroad," as he's known on the internet) has dedicated his life to making this television concept a reality.

Dakota took a trip to Dallas to be on the podcast. We discussed the best tattoo artists from all over the world, what he's doing now in the content space with Mad Rabbit, his own docuseries in development, and how to build a brand and an online presence.

Dakota is a tattoo collector who documents the world of body art via his social media channels. He's amassed over a million followers across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok various platforms, and is currently filming a docuseries and more ways to give people a closer look at the some of the best tattoo across the world. 

DAKOTA'S INSTAGRAM: @inkedabroad
DAKOTA'S TIKTOK: @inkedabroad
DAKOTA'S YOUTUBE:  @Inkedabroad
DAKOTA'S WEBSITE: inkedabroad.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Angel Rose is a three-time Inkmaster contestant. She appeared on season 11, was a finalist on season 13, and finished 4th on the all-star season 14. Angel is a master illustrator and is proficient in all styles of tattooing. Her preference is black and grey/illustrative realism. She is a frequent teacher and is the host of the Trilogy Tattoo Conference. Angel stopped by Eden on a tour to film content for each of the 2024 presenters: Deanna James, Bobby Johnson, and Jacob Sheffield.

In this episode we talked about Angel's teachings, how to learn and improve as a tattoo artist, and how to develop your career. We also talked about how she uses her film background to implement story telling in her tattoos, how she finds inspiration, and how Inkmaster developed her career.

EDEN SUMMER SYMPOSIUM: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/eden-symposiums

ANGEL'S INSTAGRAM: @theangelrose
TRILOGY TATTOO CONFERENCE: trilogytattoo.org

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu