115. Self-Taught Mastery ft. Gianluca

Gianluca, a talented tattoo artist from Italy, shares a profound philosophy about the journey of tattooing that emphasizes the importance of continuous growth and exploration. He believes that artists should never feel they have fully reached their peak; instead, they should always strive to improve and innovate. This mindset is crucial in an ever-evolving art form like tattooing, where trends and techniques are constantly changing.

In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova connects with Gianluca at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris. With over 420 artists in attendance, Gianluca stands out for his stunning neo-Japanese and illustrative tattoo work, combining vibrant colors with black and gray elements. Aaron and Gianluca discuss his roots in northeastern Italy near Torino, where he continues to work in his hometown. Listeners can expect insights into Gianluca's artistic process and the vibrant tattoo culture at one of the world's premier tattoo conventions. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of high-quality tattoo artistry!

Chat Highlights:

04:10 First tattoo experience.

05:30 Self-taught tattooing experiences.

11:34 Tattooing as a personal journey.

17:10 Japanese tattooing and innovation.

18:55 Merging tattoo styles creatively.

25:14 Numbing cream for tattoo pain.

29:46 Tattoo machine efficiency debate.

34:06 Tattoo industry changes and challenges.

40:46 Tattoo artist advice.

42:00 Biomechanical Japanese Tattoo.

Quotes:

"I like art and every kind linked to art from when I was a child."

"If you're going to take the time to mark somebody's body, you should probably have done it to yourself first."

"I think the memory's already there. I want something new. Fuck it. Who cares?"

"It's not only the session. It's the journey."

"Maybe my goal is never have a goal."

"If you really want to take your art to the very, very top of the pyramid, you might want to avoid that as long as possible because it does slow you down."

"To see these AI generators that are creating things that are quite interesting to look at, it really hurt my heart a lot because I felt like what I am was taken from me."

"You only have to be yourself and do it in the best way you can."

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/gdc_tattoo