The Upgraded Tattooer

Episode 8- Supply & Demand (With Clint Vaught)

Clint Vaught is a: tattooer, historian, publisher, and museum curator. In the same way that I am a nerd about pigment, he has truly studied and has great perspective on Tattoo History. Clint recently published a book titled: Designs of all kinds: A history of American tattoo supply houses -How Clint knows what he knows -How Clint goes about researching our tattoo history -Why it might have been more difficult to get into tattooing back then -Which country all of our black tattoo ink came from and why -The process to get 100s of previously unseen designs into this book -What drives Clint to keep going and doing the research -Why tattooers today might have it 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 You can find Clint tattooing at: Crescent City Tattoo in Evansville, Indiana. AND can purchase his new book: here! You can also find him on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/clintvaught or check out some of the previously mentioned posts on the Royal Art Books Instagram page. I also just made a new website where I am publishing deep-dive articles containing insight that will level-up your career (I hope)! If you want to do some reading- go check it out. It's nerdy but cool. Also, I have a really rad fundamental watercolor course that you might like. It's inexpensive and I guarantee that you'll learn lots of valuable stuff and it graciously helps support everything that I do with TUT. If you're interested, here's a quick link: https://theupgradedtattooer.com/ Good luck out there y'all! Good luck out there y'all!

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Episode 7- The Magic Is In The Moment (With Mikey Holmes)

In this episode of The Upgraded Tattooer Podcast, Host Jordan Brill sits down with Mikey Holmes (www.instagram.com/mikeyholmestattooing) covering his knowledge, experiences, and hardships outside of tattooing that he brings into his career to improve: his attitude, client experience, his health, and his intuition. In this episode, you can look forward to hearing: -How social media fame early-on changed the way that he uses it today -Why Mikey had to grow up fast -How "what used to work" in tattooing doesn't work today -Why worms in tattoos don't necessarily need top hats -Why restarting periodically is not optional- but essential -How time IS NOT money -Mikey's best "anti sales tactic" -How "value" isn't one-size-fits-all -Why journaling is one of Mikey's life hacks -How Mikey finds faith, purpose, and tattooing inseparable You can find Mikey tattooing at: Opal Heart Tattoo in Mint Hill or Sweet and Sour Tattoo in Powdersville for you South Carolina folks. He also occasionally tattoos out of Hot Stuff Tattoo in Asheville, NC. You can also find him on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/mikeyholmestattooing/ I also just made a new website where I am publishing deep-dive articles containing insight that will level-up your career (I hope)! If you want to do some reading- go check it out. It's nerdy but cool. Also, I have a really rad fundamental watercolor course that you might like. It's inexpensive and I guarantee that you'll learn lots of valuable stuff and it graciously helps support everything that I do with TUT. If you're interested, here's a quick link: https://theupgradedtattooer.com/ Good luck out there y'all!

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Episode 6- Tranquility Through Discipline (With Dan Berk)

In this episode of The Upgraded Tattooer Podcast, Host Jordan Brill sits down with Dan Berk (www.instagram.com/danberktattoo/) covering the span of many interests and curiosities outside of tattooing that he brings into his career to improve: his mindset, physical health, and longevity in this business. In this episode, you can look forward to hearing: -Why the internet is the worst -how he stays fit while having a life -The symbology of Tattooing -Dan's favorite books (very Samurai-heavy) -How he interacts with clients -Dan's controversial take on sunscreen -Dan's current supplement stack for mental clarity You can find Dan tattooing at The Shining Skull Tattoo in La Jolla, California or on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/danberktattoo/ If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the classic techniques, Jordan has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/ Good luck out there y'all!

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Episode 5- I Care A Lot (With Jeff Slack)

In this episode of The Upgraded Tattooer Podcast, Host Jordan Brill sits down with Jeff Slack (www.instagram.com/jeffslacktattoo/) covering the intentionality he has for his: tattooing, health, art, and lifestyle. In this episode, you can look forward to hearing: -How Jeff has let go of control to find life balance -The slippery slope of Tattoo Schools -How Jeff strategically takes breaks to keep a strong Flow State -What intentionality in Tattooing looks like for Jeff -How nuanced blood testing revealed Jeff's ideal diet for overall health -The challenges faced by Tattooing due to over saturation. -Why Jeff feels that freehand tattooing enhances his creativity -How Jeff's connection with others is vital for his mental health and well-being. -How a curiosity about Spirituality has completely changed his life You can find Jeff tattooing at Fort City Tattoo in Van Buren, Arkansas or on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/jeffslacktattoo/ If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the classic techniques, Jordan has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible with your own designs! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/ Good luck out there y'all!

Episode 4- But Do You Even Like It? (With Victron)

This conversation with Vic Thompson (www.instagram.com/victron_tattoos) covers his journey as a tattooer, from his early experiences to the intentional development of his artistic style. In this episode, you can look forward to hearing: -What things catch Vic's eye artistically -Vic's transition to a unique take on Japanese Tattooing -How Vic carefully chooses what to reference -How breakdowns lead to breakthroughs -Vic's artistic process and materials used in painting -The importance of client engagement and trust in the tattooing process. -How staying in your lane can make one more content in their life as a tattooer You can now find Vic tattooing at his new shop: Hey Darlin' 871 Florence Blvd. Florence, AL 35630 Vic was also kind enough to share a link to the Washi paper spoken about here: https://www.dickblick.com/products/mulberry-paper/ If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the classic techniques, Jordan has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible with your own designs! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/ Good luck out there y'all!

Episode 3- Figure it Out (With Josue Jimenez Jr.)

Josue was not only a mentor to host Jordan Brill but a mentor to himself as he bootstrapped his way through the Craft of Tattooing In this conversation with Josue (@josuejimenezjr), you'll hear how he: -Stresses the importance of experimentation in the craft of Tattooing -Discusses why and you can be a modern skeptic in Tattooing -How he got into powder pigments early -Why social media is a very low priority for him -How Tattooing and Life share wisdom with one another -Shares what he learned through a near-death experience ‼️ Good luck out there y'all! --- If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the same techniques as our forefathers, host Jordan Brill has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible with YOUR OWN designs! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/

Episode 2- That Old Time Feeling (With Tristan Bradshaw)

In this episode of The Upgraded Tattooer Podcast, Jordan sits down with his favorite tattooer Tristan Bradshaw (@tristan.bradshaw.tattooing) to pick his brain about his creative process, tattooing from a place of love, and his minset around work as a tattooer. In this episode you'll hear: -How Tristan has an intentional space meant for creating -How to curate your artistic inputs for the right outputs. -Why Tristan is still committed to drawing on paper -The humbling nature of the craft -Tristan's love for painting with Watercolor Pans -Why intentionality matters -How to steward Tattooing responsibly -Books that have influenced Tristan in Tattooing & in Life If you prefer video content, this episode can also be found on YouTube! Good luck out there y'all! If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the same techniques as our forefathers, host Jordan Brill has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible with YOUR OWN designs! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/

Episode 1- Founder Time

In this first episode of The Upgraded Tattooer Podcast, Jordan Brill walks you through a book that has influenced countless successful entrepreneurs like Cal Newport (Deep Work, Slow Productivity, So Good They Can't Ignore You, & A World Without Email) and was life-changing for Jordan as a stretched-too-thin tattooer. The title of the book is Free Time by Jenny Blake and Jordan shows step-by-step how application of this workload framework can benefit any tattooer in spades! You'll walk away with scores of actionable items that you can implement this week and reap the benefits of immediately. Good luck out there! If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the same techniques as our forefathers, host Jordan Brill has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible with YOUR OWN designs! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/

Episode 0- How Do You Know What You Know?

In this introductory episode of The Upgraded Tattooer Podcast, host Jordan Brill explains his lack of discrimination when it comes to information and its application to Tattooing. Jordan also explains why younger tattooers should not and can not be spoon-fed information {SPOILER ALERT: half of the time- it's wrong}. And lastly, he outlines his general mindset and focus behind the Podcast and sets expectations moving forward. If you'd like to learn how to paint flash with lightfast watercolors right out of the tube using the same techniques as our forefathers, host Jordan Brill has put together an inexpensive intensive course that gets you over that initial hump. Once you finish, you can get to confidently experimenting as soon as possible with YOUR OWN designs! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out at : https://theupgradedtattooer.com/