In this conversation, Mark and Josh trace a 33-year arc of tattooing—from ’90s street-shop grit and tribal magazines to private studios, bikie threats, and rebuilding community.

Josh shares early sparks (drawing on siblings, an art-teacher mum), his first experiences at Illustrated Man, the rise of custom work, and why a good street shop can still be a true neighbourhood heartbeat.

We dive into identity vs discovery psychology, cultural lineage vs contemporary mix, apprenticeships vs quick courses, social media’s specialisation trap, when to say no ethically, and what it means to put presence over popularity in the chair.

If you care about the craft and the culture, this one’s a map and a mirror.

LINKS

WHEN YOU’RE READY

→ ⁠Book a 1:1 consult with Mark⁠

→⁠ ⁠Get Tattooed by Mark⁠

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE

→ ⁠19. Phillip Milic: Tattooing’s Evolving Culture – A Veterans Perspective

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TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Why Tattoos Hooked Me (remote childhood, Nat Geo spark)

[00:01:51] First Studio Reality Check (Illustrated Man, Kim changes everything)

[00:04:15] Designing Our First Pieces (from cliché to considered)

[00:05:57] Meaning vs. Aesthetic (initiation, identity, appropriation)

[00:08:54] Street Shop = Community Engine (why it still matters)

[00:11:45] The New Problem Set (courses, saturation, skipped apprenticeships)

[00:28:32] Apprenticeship > Online Course (what real learning looks like)

[00:33:13] Algorithm Ink (how tech reshaped tattoo culture)

[00:41:47] Phones, Trains & Small Talk (connection is a skill)

[00:50:51] Instagram vs. Presence (the chair-side experience wins)

[00:57:18] Specialist Trap vs. Generalist Freedom

[01:08:48] From Churn to Ceremony (private studio intimacy)

[01:21:18] When the Shop Burned Down (what it taught me)

[01:22:58] Byron Reset (rebuilding community and pace)

[01:33:05] The Emotional Load (boundaries, saying no, tough calls)

[01:39:37] Fit, Placement & Regret-Proofing (how we decide)

[01:59:23] Tattoos for Your 2050 Self (longevity & planning)

[02:12:12] Should Tattooers Get Tattooed? (the debate)

[02:20:22] Numbing Cream: When, Why, Risks

[02:23:13] Real Advice for New Artists (skills, mindset, business)

[02:24:54] Closing + Self-Care (stay human)