Tattooing Behind Bars: Anthony Prince's Story of Survival and Art

Guest Anthony Prince shares his proufound life experiences, which powerfully illustrate that past circumstances do not define our future and who we chosse to be. Growing up in a tumultuous environment, Anthony faced numerous hardships, including a chaotic, militant foster-family life that often resembled a criminal organization rather than a supportive environment. His story highlights how circumstances beyond one's control can lead individuals down difficult paths, often resulting in choices that may seem incomprehensible to outsiders.

Prince shares an intriguing personal story about his first day in prison and the pressure to demonstrate his tattooing skills using a prison-made machine. The narrative delves into the unique dynamics of prison life, habits of inmates, and the pressure to prove oneself. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges and unexpected situations faced in such an environment, and showcases Prince's vulnerability and resilience as he naavigated post-prison life andd a massively successful tattoong career.

Chat Breakdown:

00:01:12 - First Day in Prison and Tattoo Pressure
00:05:01 - Anthony Prince's Early Life
00:08:33 - Life in Foster Care and Crime Mob
00:10:54 - Petty Crimes and Organized Schemes
00:14:22 - Abuse and Running Away
00:17:16 - First Imprisonment and Sentencing
00:19:08 - Refusing to Snitch and Accepting Prison
00:21:13 - Sentencing and Legal Struggles
00:23:12 - Extended Prison Time and Appeals
00:26:02 - Discovering Artistic Talent in Prison
00:27:09 - First Tattoo Experience in Prison
00:32:05 - Learning and Improving Tattoo Skills
00:34:23 - Six Years in Solitary Confinement
00:36:31 - Returning to General Population and Tattooing
00:38:51 - Meeting Future Wife Ashland
00:42:03 - Writing Letters and Building a Relationship

Quotes:

"To be a part of that family, it was like being a part of a gang."

"A lot of people are cool with prison artists, but a lot of people don't care about them."

"When you have enough time, to kind of sober up, not from drugs and alcohol, but just to straighten up."

"If your body breaks down, your health breaks down, your marriage breaks down, all this work you've been putting in all this time, it's not for nothing, but it's a lot of wasted effort."

"Drinking water and doing 10,000 steps a day turned a stage three kidney disease to completely nothing."

"I told myself it's going to be 10 years in February out of prison. I told myself 10 years hard work, and then when we get there, then I'll go ahead and relax."

"Revolution Ink settles into the skin and the skin looks like normal skin again."

"I don't trust our government, to be honest."

"I listen carefully now because I've seen the times when I didn't listen, it was giving me hints."

"In that short of time, how did you get this good? And now I know you just worked twice as much as everybody else."

Stay Connected:

Connect with Prince:

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

Connect with Aaron:⁠

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

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com