Books Closed: Tattoos and the Internet Collide, Hosted by Andrew Stortz

I talked to Alex Kass and Zac Scheinbaum, a couple tattooers who pursue tattoo related projects in addition to their day to day work. 

Alex runs the instagram page @tattoogear4sale, which has become the top place to buy, sell and trade (yes, you guessed it) tattoo gear. We talked about how he started the page, and some of the challenges that come with keeping it running. 

Zac created Afterlife Press, an independent publishing company that has put out two amazing books focusing on some of the greatest and most prolific tattooers of our time. We talked about his approach and why he is so interested in presenting a closer look at these tattooers.

 Alex Kass tattoos at Electric Panther Tattoo in San Antonio, TX.
@alexkass_ep 
@tattoogear4sale 

Zac Scheinbaum tattoos at Seventh Son Tattoo in San Francisco, CA.
@zacscheinbaum 
@afterlifepress

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

TATTOO SMART
@tattoosmart

Digital design tools and tutorials for tattooers!

• Check out the Digital Stamp Flash Sets to arm yourself with an arsenal of functional reference material
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 15% off your order!

Didn't get enough on Ep 032? Here is more with Doreen Garner.

Doreen works at Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn, NY.

This extended episode is sponsored by:

GoReminders

Eliminate no-shows, save time & increase revenue with GoReminders. It is simple, automatic appointment reminders via text messages and email. This service pays or itself with just ONE avoided no-show appointment!

• Head over to: goreminders.com/booksclosed for 10% off for life!

Tamara Santibañez talks about what it is like to be stretched between two "worlds" within tattooing, and the weight of tattoos on those who get them and those who do them.

Tamara's Informed Consent and Trauma-Aware Tattooing brochure can be found here.

Doreen Garner shares what drew her to tattooing, and the positive effect that increasing diversity can have on the industry.

You can get tattooed by Tamara and Doreen at Saved Tattoo in NYC.

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

TATTOO SMART
@tattoosmart

Digital design tools and tutorials for tattooers!

• Check out the Spit Shading Toolkit to give your digital art the look of classic traditional hand-painted flash!
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 15% off your order!

Nick Colella joins the show this week to talk about how much of the old school mentality can realistically be applied in today's tattooing. Should we really be trying to blindly celebrate the past?

You can find Nick at Great Lakes Tattoo in Chicago, IL.

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

TATTOO SMART
@tattoosmart

Digital design tools and tutorials for tattooers!

• Check out the Digital Stamp Flash Sets to arm yourself with an arsenal of functional reference material
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 15% off your order!

What's up with tattooing in Oregon? Portland tattooer, Olivia Britz-Wheat, gives us the lowdown on the state mandated tattoo schools, and talks about the work she does with the group, Reform Oregon Tattooing.

After the interview, Andrew shares an email from a tattooer who attended an Oregon tattoo school.

Let's talk about apprenticeships with Tim Hendricks. We respond to an article about a tattooer from Dallas, TX who is developing a program to teach arts high school students about tattooing as a part of their school curriculum.

Then we hear from Olivia Britz-Wheat, a tattooer from Portland, OR, and a part of the organization, "Reform Oregon Tattooing," about what a real-world example of structured tattoo school looks like.

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

TATTOO SMART
@tattoosmart

Digital design tools and tutorials for tattooers!

• Check out the Spit Shading Toolkit to give your digital art the look of classic traditional hand-painted flash!
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 15% off your order!

RIVER VALLEY PRINTING CO 
@rivervalleyprintingco

A fine selection of high quality prints, stickers, and pins. Also offering custom printing services to tattooers and artists alike!

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED for 15% off your first order!

This is a special episode of BOOKS CLOSED! Listen to a never-before-heard interview from 2004 between Taki Kitamura and the legendary tattoo artist, Lyle Tuttle.

For more info about Lyle: Lyle Tuttle Collection
And follow his only official IG page: @lyletuttlecollection

This was all made possible by Taki (@stateofgracetaki)!

Make sure to follow him and let him know how much you enjoyed this tape.
 

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

Ep 029 Extended is brought to you by:

GoReminders

• Eliminate no-shows, save time & increase revenue with GoReminders: Simple, automatic appointment reminders via text message & email (with optional online booking for no extra charge). GoReminders pays for itself with one saved no-show appointment.
• Get 10% off by following this link: GoReminders.com/booksclosed

This is a special episode of BOOKS CLOSED! Listen to a never-before-heard interview from 2004 between Taki Kitamura and  the legendary tattoo artist, Lyle Tuttle.

For more info about Lyle: Lyle Tuttle Collection

This was all made possible by Taki (@stateofgracetaki)!

Make sure to follow him and let him know how much you enjoyed this tape.
 

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

MACHINEMACHINECO 
(machinemachine.co)
@machinemachine.co

• Professionally crafted video courses made by professional tattooers.  Get an exclusive look at what's behind some of the best work in the tattoo community.

Didn't get enough on Ep 028? This is the full interview with Gunnar that you heard a segment from in this week's full episode. He discusses mental health in tattooing and his own personal journey with it through his career.

Ep 028 Extended is brought to you by:

GoReminders

• Eliminate no-shows, save time & increase revenue with GoReminders: Simple, automatic appointment reminders via text message & email (with optional online booking for no extra charge). GoReminders pays for itself with one saved no-show appointment.
• Get 10% off by following this link: GoReminders.com/booksclosed

Issues of mental health are as prevalent in tattooing as anywhere. NYC tattooer, Virginia Elwood, guest co-hosts this week, along with a segment with Ohio tattooer, Gunnar.

Virginia talks about her entrance into tattooing, and about how she has worked to balance her mental health, career and life in general.

Gunnar discusses why he is interested in being a conversation-starter with issues of mental health in tattooing, and details his own quest of happiness.

Check out:

Virginia Elwood
Saved Tattoo, Brooklyn NY

Gunnar
Enso Tattoo, Columbus, OH

Watch this episode on YOUTUBE

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ALLIANCE TATTOO SUPPLY (alliancetattoosupply.com)
@alliancetattoosupply

• Tattooers supporting tattooers! Premium tattoo equipment from people who know.
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 10% off your first order and FREE SHIPPING!

BRIAN KELLY ARMY TATTOO FLASH (shop.briankellyarmy.com)
@briankellyarmy

• Tattoo flash sets and single-image prints on high-quality paper
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED for 25% off orders until the end of February 2020!

Debra Yarian, Freddy Corbin and Henry Lewis are the guests this week on a special LIVE episode of the show! Recorded at the Bay Area Tattoo Convention, 10/19/19.

Follow:

Deb Yarian
Freddy Corbin
Henry Lewis

Watch this episode on YOUTUBE

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

MR. FLASH MACHINE (mrflashmachine.com)
@mrflashmachine

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get FREE SHIPPING within the US!

HOMESTEAD MACHINERY
@homesteadmachinery

• Handmade tattoo machines by Heath Rave

Andrew responds to some listener feedback, and a conversation with Ep 026's guest co-host Bradley Farrell, after the camera turned off.

Check out Ep 026: Adaptive Tattooing if you haven't yet. It'll give a bit more context for this bonus episode.

This episode of the BOOKS CLOSED Podcast features guest co-host, Bradley Farrell, and tattooer, Zack Hunter "Southpaw."

I found a handful of parallels between these two conversations, and this episode weaves the two together to tell a larger story.

Bradley was a guest on the show last season as a retired tattooer, and his since started tattooing again. We catch up about what it's like to blow the dust of his tattoo machines and how hard it is to make a tattoo happen.

Zack shares the details of a serious car accident he was in at the age of 19, and how he fought to reclaim his life.

Bradley Farrell: @_allmyghosts_

Zack Hunter: @southpawtattoos

Watch this episode on YOUTUBE

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK (www.eternaltattoosupply.com)

@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

MACHINEMACHINECO (www.machinemachine.co)

@machinemachine.co

• Professionally crafted video courses made by professional tattooers.  Get an exclusive look at what's behind some of the best work in the tattoo community.

Didn't get enough in Ep 025? Here are some bonus clips to hold you over until next episode!

Includes unaired segments with Justin Weatherholtz and Shanzey Afzal!

@andrewstortz

@justinweatherholtz

@inkminxtattoo

Welcome to Season 3 of BOOKS CLOSED! We are joined by tattoo artist Justin Weatherholtz (Kings Ave Tattoo, NYC)  this week to discuss a handful of tattooing's industry disruptors.

One of those disruptors, Shanzey Afzal (Ink Minx Tattoo) also stops in to talk about her journey into and out of tattooing.

The episode ends with a field trip to an NYC bar that puts drinks and tattoo machines in the hands of the public.

Justin Weatherholtz: @justinweatherholtz

Shanzey Afzal: @inkminxtattoo

FIB Tattoo Bar: @fibtattoobar

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

www.booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK (www.eternaltattoosupply.com)

@eternalink

Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

ATONEMENT BOOKS (www.atonementbooks.com)

@atonementbooks

Get the new book NON STOP TATTOOING by Atonement/Steve Byrne!

Andrew digs into the offerings of tattoo business guru, Dax McClellan. Does tattooing need online courses about how to post on Instagram? This investigative report tells a story of self-discovery.

Dax McClellan - Social Media Savage
TJ Forte
Justin Brown

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

All music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

www.booksclosedpodcast.com

The full VIDEO version of this episode can be viewed on YOUTUBE


THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

MACHINE MACHINE CO.
@machinemachine.co

Online Video Workshops that teach you how to be smarter than your tattoo machine

Use code: BOOKSCLOSED for $50 off your enrollment!


TATTOOING ÜBER ALLES
@tattooinguberalles
Documentary films focused on the craft of tattooing. No drama, no bullshit.

Watch free clips: Tattooing Uber Alles on YouTube
Full Documentaries: TattooingUberAlles.com or Amazon

Legendary tattoo artist, Juli Moon, joins the show this week to discuss traveling with a carnival, attending some of the first ever tattoo conventions, expanding her skill set into cosmetic tattoo through trial and error in the 80's, and why she wears her own tattoos as "psychic armor."

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

All music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

www.booksclosedpodcast.com

The full VIDEO version of this episode can be viewed on YOUTUBE

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

TATTOO SMART

Use discount code: BOOKSCLOSED for 15% off any tools on the site (one use per customer)
www.tattoosmart.com

Tattoo Smart is a marketplace for forward-thinking tools to tattooers, artists, and designers, empowering them to learn new digital skills and improve their design workflows. They collaborate with tattooers to create brush sets for Procreate and Clip Studio Paint, reference eBooks, digital color tools like the Abbott Color Wheel, and design and software tutorials.

TATTOO SHIRT OF THE MONTH CLUB
Tattoo Shirt of the Month is a subscription T-shirt business geared to bring you an original and unique tattoo design on a T-shirt each month. 
To join, go to www.tattoo-sotm.com, pick your size, enter your card number, and you’re done. 

This episode features a group panel of tattooers Shawn Barber, Matthew Knopp, Beau Brady and Robert Ryan discussing, tattoo TV shows, internet fundraisers, maintaining positive outlooks, and more!

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

All music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

www.booksclosedpodcast.com

The full VIDEO version of this episode can be viewed on YOUTUBE

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

TATTOO SMART

Use discount code: BOOKSCLOSED for 15% off any tools on the site (one use per customer)
www.tattoosmart.com

Tattoo Smart is a marketplace for forward-thinking tools to tattooers, artists, and designers, empowering them to learn new digital skills and improve their design workflows. They collaborate with tattooers to create brush sets for Procreate and Clip Studio Paint, reference eBooks, digital color tools like the Abbott Color Wheel, and design and software tutorials.

THE ORIGINAL TATTOO PILLOW

Create a more sanitary work space by replacing cloth pillows with a pillow designed with the needs of tattooers and their customers in mind. Each 10.5 x 20 Inch pillow is covered in a soft yet durable antibacterial vinyl with polyfill stuffing to provide firm yet cushioned support.

From now until March 31st, use promo code “booksclosed” on torchtattoo.com to get 20% off a pillow of your own!

Tattoo artist Lindsey Carmichael joins the show this week to talk about what tattooing for 27 years means to him, what it's like to watch his son now become a tattooer, and how the quest for knowledge has become a totally new beast.

Follow Lindsey on INSTAGRAM
Find him at CLASSIC TATTOO in Fullerton, CA.

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

The full VIDEO version of this episode can be viewed on YOUTUBE

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

TATTOO SMART

Use discount code: BOOKSCLOSED for 15% off any tools on the site (one use per customer)
www.tattoosmart.com

Tattoo Smart is a marketplace for forward-thinking tools to tattooers, artists, and designers, empowering them to learn new digital skills and improve their design workflows. They collaborate with tattooers to create brush sets for Procreate and Clip Studio Paint, reference eBooks, digital color tools like the Abbott Color Wheel, and design and software tutorials.

MACHINE MACHINE CO.

@machinemachine.co

Online Video Workshops that teach you how to be smarter than your tattoo machine

Use code: BOOKSCLOSED for $50 off your enrollment!

PLEASE support our sponsors, and let them know you heard about them on BOOKS CLOSED

All music by SAKURA @fazekas.dani

In response to Episode 015, Andrew talks to Lee Roller, owner of Custom Tattoo Design. Lee saw the segment about his company, and didn't love a lot of the points made. Should non-tattooers have a place owning tattoo-related companies? Are tattooers just missing out on opportunities that others see first?

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

The full VIDEO version of this episode can be viewed on YOUTUBE

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

TATTOO SMART

Use discount code: BOOKSCLOSED for 15% off any tools on the site (one use per customer)
www.tattoosmart.com

Tattoo Smart is a marketplace for forward-thinking tools to tattooers, artists, and designers, empowering them to learn new digital skills and improve their design workflows. They collaborate with tattooers to create brush sets for Procreate and Clip Studio Paint, reference eBooks, digital color tools like the Abbott Color Wheel, and design and software tutorials.

ALLIANCE TATTOO SUPPLY

Use promo code: books closed for 10% off your first order!

Tattooer owned and operated, specializing in high-quality equipment and supplies built by tattooers, for tattooers. Offering everything from your shop's daily supplies to one-off handmade machines from top quality builders, as well as the exclusive distributor of Lineage Needles.

PLEASE support our sponsors, and let them know you heard about them on BOOKS CLOSED

All music by SAKURA @fazekas.dani