loader from loading.io

Breaking Boundaries: The Truth Behind a 10-Hour Anesthesia Tattoo Session

Chats & Tatts

Release Date: 04/30/2025

The Gypsy Life of Tattoo Artist Cindy Maxwell show art The Gypsy Life of Tattoo Artist Cindy Maxwell

Chats & Tatts

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...

info_outline
Control, Discipline, and Meditation ft. Oliver Kenton show art Control, Discipline, and Meditation ft. Oliver Kenton

Chats & Tatts

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...

info_outline
Artistry and Empathy: A Conversation with Tattoo Artist Jen Tonic show art Artistry and Empathy: A Conversation with Tattoo Artist Jen Tonic

Chats & Tatts

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...

info_outline
#102: Erotica, Leather, and Tattooing ft. #102: Erotica, Leather, and Tattooing ft. "Savage" Sal Leon

Chats & Tatts

Sal Leon has developed a niche in traditional tattooing with an erotic gay flair, setting him apart from other artists in San Diego. This distinctiveness not only attracts a loyal client base but also fosters a sense of community among those who resonate with that particular style. Sal shares his journey through the tattooing world, highlighting the unique intersection of his identity as a gay man and his artistic expression through traditional tattooing with an erotic flair. This discussion with host Aaron Della Vedova opens up a broader conversation about the evolution of tattooing,...

info_outline
#101: Mushrooms, Mayans, and Masterpieces ft. Freddy Jay show art #101: Mushrooms, Mayans, and Masterpieces ft. Freddy Jay

Chats & Tatts

Freddy Jay’s journey into tattooing is a captivating story of unexpected beginnings and unwavering commitment. At the age of 19, he found himself at a crossroads in life, having once aspired to become a pilot due to his love for surfing and the freedom it represented. However, as he matured, he realized that the life of a pilot was not meant for him. Instead, he began to explore his creative side, which ultimately led him to the world of tattooing. In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova returns to his home studio, bringing a vibrant tribal energy to the conversation....

info_outline
#100: Tattoos and Sacred Geometry ft. Dillon Forte show art #100: Tattoos and Sacred Geometry ft. Dillon Forte

Chats & Tatts

The belief in separation is a fundamental issue that contributes to ignorance and suffering. Recognizing our interconnectedness could lead to a more harmonious existence. This idea is deeply explored in the podcast episode featuring host Aaron Della Vedova and guest Dillon Forte, who discuss the implications of viewing reality through the lens of separation versus interconnectedness. Dillon is a renowned tattoo artist located in Austin, TX, and is credited with helping to launch the geometric tattoo movement in the U.S. in the early 2010s. The conversation blends art, spirituality, and the...

info_outline
#99: The Intimacy of Tebori with Horikei show art #99: The Intimacy of Tebori with Horikei

Chats & Tatts

Tebori tattooing, a traditional Japanese hand-poked method, is more than just a technique; it embodies a philosophy that emphasizes a profound human connection and energy transfer between the tattoo artist and the client. Practiced for thousands of years, this method involves using a long stick with needles attached to the end, allowing the artist to create tattoos without the aid of machines. This simplicity lies at the heart of the Tebori experience, fostering a unique and intimate atmosphere during the tattooing process, and our guest today is one of the masters of this craft.  ...

info_outline
#98: Queen of Neo Trad ft. Fiori Lorett show art #98: Queen of Neo Trad ft. Fiori Lorett

Chats & Tatts

  Inspiration for creativity often arises from active engagement rather than a passive search for it. This concept is vividly illustrated in the conversation between host Aaron Della Vedova his guest Fior Lorett, a seasoned tattoo artist. Fiori emphasizes that her creative process is deeply intertwined with her daily artistic practice. She states, "the more I do, the more inspired I may be," highlighting that involvement in the creative process itself can ignite new ideas and motivation. Fiori shares insights into her unique neo-traditional style, which features an ornamental flair, and...

info_outline
#97: A Body of Work: The Matt Jordan Episode show art #97: A Body of Work: The Matt Jordan Episode

Chats & Tatts

In this episode, host Aaron Della Vedova delves into the importance of creating art for oneself rather than for external approval, highlighting the personal connection and significance behind each piece of work. The discussion with New Zealand-based tattoo artist Matt Jordan emphasizes the value of handmade artistry in an increasingly digital world, celebrating the unique and analog nature of tattooing. Matt is a phenomenal tattoo artist whose work has left a lasting impression on many.    "What are you going to do to separate yourself? What are you going to do so that you can look...

info_outline
#96: The Art of Surrender - Greyson Savo's Story of Recovery, Tattoos, and Redemption show art #96: The Art of Surrender - Greyson Savo's Story of Recovery, Tattoos, and Redemption

Chats & Tatts

The journey of healing and transformation can be catalyzed by profound life experiences, such as accidents, which compel individuals to confront their past and redefine their identity. This theme is vividly illustrated in the story of Greyson Savo, who endured a life-altering accident that not only changed his physical state but also prompted deep introspection and a transformation of his identity, including the incredible covering of his scars by tattoo artist Patrick Sweeney ( https://www.instagram.com/patricksweeneyart ). In this episode of "Chats and Tatts," host Aaron Della Vedova...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

The latest episode of "Chats and Tatts" explores a groundbreaking approach to tattooing: the use of anesthesia to enable individuals to undergo extensive tattoo sessions in a single sitting. This innovative method is particularly appealing to busy individuals who often struggle to find the time for multiple tattoo appointments, which can stretch over months or even years.

Guest Jason Williams exemplifies the type of individual who benefits from this approach. As a family man with a thriving career, he shared the challenges of scheduling multiple trips to the tattoo shop, especially given the time commitment involved in traditional tattooing. With a busy life that includes raising two children and managing a professional career, Jason sought a way to expedite the tattooing process without sacrificing the quality of the artwork.

Aaron shares how his friend reached out with this innovative idea, leading to a collaboration with Dr. Dave Levine, an anesthesiologist and part-owner of a surgical center. With the hands of three other talented tattoo artist from Guru Tattoo in San Diego, this intense and beautiful collaboration camee to life.

Tune in to hear about the unique approach to tattooing, the bond between artist and client, and the thrill of embracing creativity in unconventional ways.


00:01:23 - The Tattoo Project: Full Front Piece
00:01:55 - Setting Up the Anesthesia Tattoo Session
00:03:09 - Addressing Controversy in the Tattoo Community
00:03:56 - Tradition vs. Innovation in Tattooing
00:07:06 - Embracing New Methods in Tattooing
00:09:03 - The Thrill and Danger of the Procedure
00:10:05 - Tattooing Under Anesthesia: The Artist's Perspective
00:11:18 - Collaboration Among Tattoo Artists
00:13:07 - The Risk and Reward of Anesthesia
00:17:03 - Calculated Risks and Living Fully
00:20:04 - Seeking Excitement in a Mundane Life
00:22:23 - The Recovery Process: Waking Up from Anesthesia
00:24:43 - The Aftermath: Pain and Healing
00:29:49 - The Healing Process: Intense Itching and Discomfort
00:31:27 - Reflecting on the Experience
00:34:06 - Appreciation for the Tattoo Community
00:34:27 - The Collaborative Nature of Tattooing

Quotes:

"Tattooing is meant to be painful for a reason. It's a rite of passage."

"What right do we have to tell others what to do with their life, especially when it's not harming anyone?"

"I do like the danger of things. I do like the excitement of the unknown."

"For the first time in my career to be able to just tattoo as hard and as fast as you wanted without worrying about the person that you were doing it to."

"Controversy is so fun."

"I think traditionalists want to stand up for being a traditionalist. And for that, hell yeah. I love it.

"Anytime you can make yourself proud. You know, take that chance, take that risk, live with the risks, and then if something bad happened, then you say, hey, it was something I chose to do."

"I seek that thrill and the danger of it all. And just the excitement. You don't get much excitement during the day of that magnitude, you know, any given day."

"It takes two to make this thing happen. It takes collaboration. This is a collaborative art form and it is the most beautiful part about it."

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