Rachel has been tattooing for over 20 years, and she’s one of those people I really enjoy talking tattooing with. She has a lot of experience, a strong point of view, and at the same time a very relaxed, unpretentious way of looking at the craft.

In this episode we talk about her beginnings in Australia, the people who influenced her along the way, running Black Throne, and the challenges of being both an artist and a business owner.

What I particularly enjoyed about this conversation is Rachel’s approach to creativity and finding your own voice. We talk about how easy it is, especially today, to overthink everything — style, technique, originality, what you’re supposed to be doing — and how sometimes you need to relax, follow what genuinely interests you, and concentrate on doing good work.

A really enjoyable conversation with someone who has been doing this for a long time, but still approaches tattooing with curiosity and without taking herself too seriously.

Follow Rachel on Instagram

blkthronetattoo.com

Stefbastian.com

Alejandro Monea is an incredibly talented artist, a prolific painter, a great draftsman, and, on top of all that, a very sweet human and a friend. I’ve always had a lot of admiration for people who can really draw, and Alejandro is definitely one of those artists who keeps me motivated to get better simply because there’s something to look up to.

We recorded this episode while we were at the Kaiserstadt Tattoo Convention in Aachen, and I particularly love this conversation because of how openly Alejandro shares his story. We talk about his upbringing, his relationship with drawing and painting, and the way he approaches his work.

We also talk about his experience of discovering that he is on the autism spectrum, how that helped him understand himself better, and how he is learning to navigate it alongside the demands of tattooing and being an artist.

There’s a lot of vulnerability in this conversation, but also a lot of warmth. I think Alejandro’s openness will resonate with many people trying to find their own way in a creative profession that can be incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly demanding.

Today I sit down with Lil B to trace the global journey, artistic evolution, and mindset shift behind his achievements.

From his roots doing graffiti in France and learning fine-line Chicano black-and-gray at the legendary Low Rider Tattoo, to completely reinventing his career in Japan, he shares the grit it takes to start over and establish himself as a respected practitioner of traditional Japanese tattooing and Tebori techniques.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Pivot to Japanese Style: how he stepped away from fine-line to build a brand-new reputation around bold, classic Japanese.

• Perfecting the Craft: The challenge of understanding organic background flow, learning traditional techniques, and drawing inspiration from traditional masters.

• Cultural Shifts & Studio Life: Comparing social norms between France and Japan, plus the unique reality of running a private studio in Okinawa.

• Hyperproductivity vs. Rest: Unpacking burnout, reducing social media noise, and learning to balance a relentless work ethic with actual life enjoyment.

Follow Lil B on Instagram

stefbastian.com

@stef_bastian