Tagging the Subconscious, Surreal Worlds of Greg "Craola" Simkins

Welcome back to another Fireside Technique Talk, where we dive deep into the technical aspects that separate good from exceptional tattooing. In this session with Cooper, we explored the fundamentals of color layering. Cooper shared essential insights into overcoming the technical barriers that keep many artists confined to smaller scale work, providing practical strategies for confidently transitioning into vibrant large-scale color applications that maintain their integrity over time.  From understanding how machine evolution has simplified color work to mastering the 60/30/10 color theory rule, this discussion covers the core techniques that will elevate both your efficiency and your results. Whether you're ready to expand from smaller pieces to large scale projects or simply want to understand the mechanics behind lasting color tattoos, these insights will fundamentally change your approach to every piece you create. Check out the Deep Dive on the website: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/everybodys-deco-dancing-with-cooper-technique-talk-ep-306 Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Thanks to our sponsor Tattoo Trunk. Get 10% off your order with the code "FIRESIDE" https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Have you ever wondered how your artistic style develops over time? Greg "Craola" Simpkins, a revered name in both graffiti circles and the painting industry, shares his fascinating journey from street art to creating surrealistic canvases. In this episode, we dive into how his distinctive style evolved, the nuances of balancing creativity in graffiti and painting, and practical insights for artists looking to merge different art forms. Simpkins will also present at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Fest Academy, where he's set to share more of his creative process. Check out the Deep Dive on The Fireside Website: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/Tagging-the-Subconsciou-with-greg-craola-simkins-ep-305 Don't miss Greg at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Fest.  Get your tickets below: https://richmondtattooconvention.com/academy/ Keep up with Greg Simkins at: https://gregsimkinsart.com/ https://www.instagram.com/craola/ Thanks to our sponsor Tattoo Trunk. Get 10% off your order with the code "FIRESIDE" https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Rich walked us through his 25-year journey from scrappy home tattooer to the artistic powerhouse he is today, sharing real insights about finding your voice in this industry. This episode covers everything from the grind of finding apprenticeships back in the day to his current process of creating multiple design versions and building that creative environment for his family. Trust me, whether you're just starting out or you've been slinging ink for decades, Rich's insights on technique, client interaction, and staying true to your artistic vision are going to make an impact. Check out the Deep Dive on Firesidetattoo.com: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/the-writching-hour-is-upon-us-with-rich-wren-technique-talks-EP-304 Keep up with Rich at https://www.writchcraft.com/tattoos/ https://www.instagram.com/therichwren/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Hey Friends! We just had another great conversation featuring the incredibly talented Timmy B, and let me tell you, this interview is packed with some serious tattoo gold. This new school powerhouse breaks down everything from his evolution as an artist to the nitty-gritty of color theory that'll blow your mind.  We're talking about collaboration, the challenges of sleeve composition, and why sometimes the best approach is to just wing it when you're up on stage. Plus, you'll get the inside scoop on the Richmond Tattoo Arts Academy and why educational opportunities are absolutely crucial for pushing this craft forward. Check out the Deep Dive on Firesidetattoo.com: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/Theres-No-Highlights-in-Wood-Timmy-B-EP-303 Learn live from Timmy B at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Academy. Get tickets below https://richmondtattooconvention.com/academy/ Keep up with Timmy at https://www.instagram.com/timmy_b_413/ https://www.niteowlnoho.com/ Check out this week's sponsor Tattoo Trunk. Get 10% off your order with the code FIRESIDE https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Don't miss Yomico teaching at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Academy this October. You can get tickets at https://richmondtattooconvention.com/academy/ You can keep up with Yomico at https://www.instagram.com/yomicoart/ https://yomicoart.com/ Thanks to our sponsor Tattoo Trunk. Take 10% off your bundle with the code Fireside https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get 10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626 Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Keep up with David Cheifetz at the links below https://www.davidcheifetz.com/ https://www.instagram.com/davidcheifetz/?hl=en Get your tickets to the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Academy https://richmondtattooconvention.com/academy/ Thanks to TattooTrunk for sponsoring today's episode Take 10% off your Trio or Quad set at https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit  

Thanks to our newest partner Tattoo Trunk for making this episode possible! Get 10% off your Tattoo Trunk order with the code FIRESIDE at checkout https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Keep up with Patrick Paul O'Neil at https://www.instagram.com/the_burning_jewel/ We’ve got another Inside Fireside Tattoo Club sneak preview for you today! This time it’s with a real friend of the podcast Patrick Paul O’Neil. The group has been holding these Technique Talks that go beyond surface-level conversation about tattooing. In this discussion Patrick speaks on how over the years that understanding your own process matters—like how he approaches color by building up layers rather than trying to nail everything in one pass. When working with clients, he’s found that what they don't like actually tells him more than what they do like. It gives clearer boundaries for the creative field we're working in.  Patrick also goes over the healing process and how thick skin can desaturate colors, or those strange brown spots that appear in lighter pigments that eventually fade away after a couple years. These are the real challenges we face daily. As artists, we need to pay attention to what our tendencies are, recognize our own limits with composition, and understand that everything has a budget—whether it's detail, color, or negative space. That's the kind of honest conversation about tattooing that actually helps people grow. We hope you get something from this episode, and consider joining the Inside Fireside Community so you can come along for more of these conversations. Check out The Gallery and webpage for this episode on: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/Dragons-Dont-Do-Cute-Poses-Patrick-ONeil-Technique-Talk-EP-300 Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Thanks to our newest partner Tattoo Trunk for making this episode possible! Get 10% off your Tattoo Trunk order with the code FIRESIDE at checkout https://www.tattootrunk.com/ Hey, what's going on, everybody? In today's mind-bending interview with geometric master Dillon Forte we'll be diving deep into his meticulous approach to geometric tattoo designs. This guy has some serious ideas about sacred geometry that'll have you seeing triangles and circles in your sleep, trust me.   Dillon has developed a system that's all about precision applications of geometric designs, exploring why they're so damn challenging to apply and tattoo properly. Throughout our conversation, he explains how he layers his compositions like a Photoshop document, building complexity through methodical application of contrasting elements that guide the viewer's eye exactly where he wants it to go. Check out the Gallery and links to find Dillon on our website: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/Geometrica-Ad-Absurdum-Dillon-Forte-EP-299 Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

Alright folks, we've got something special for today as we dive into the mind of Corey Bernhardt! A true artist who’s not afraid to wear his influences on his sleeve. When Corey came by the Inside Fireside Club, he brought decades of artistic evolution that shaped his unique approach to technique - from those early comic book days to his masterful command of tattoo machines.  Corey breaks down his philosophy into what he calls "self-learned technique, learned technique, and working technique," giving us a real peek behind the curtain at how an artist evolves from imitation to innovation. So grab your dip caps and settle in as we explore everything from influences and the powerful impact of deadlines. Check out the info and gallery page on the website for how to connect with Corey: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/influence-in-the-bones-art-on-the-sleeve--corey-bernhardt-technique-talk--ep-298 Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/

In the evolving world of tattoo aftercare, understanding the science behind healing can make all the difference in preserving your artwork for decades. When we talked with Don Ranns, we dug into how inflammation affects tattoo healing and why ingredients like CBD are showing promising results for reducing redness and irritation during the critical first days after getting inked.  The shift from petroleum-based products that simply create a barrier to natural formulations that actually nourish the skin represents a fundamental change in how we approach tattoo longevity. This conversation highlighted how proper aftercare isn't just about the immediate healing phase but requires ongoing maintenance to keep tattoos looking vibrant through years of sun exposure and natural aging. Check out the Fireside website for more info on Tattoo Lovers Care: https://firesidetattoo.com/post/tattoo-lovers-care--ep-296 Are you a beginning tattooer or an apprentice ? Click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Are you a seasoned tattoo vet who is stuck in a rut? click below https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below! Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code "Fireside" at checkout https://neumatattoo.com Get  10 % off all S8 Tattoo products with promo code "Fireside" https://s8tattoo.com/ Get 10% off your order from Raw Pigments with code "fireside" https://rawpigments.co/ Up your Tattoo Business Management skills with TattooNow Exclusive! Sign up at the link below and get a personalized 1 on 1 business consultation with Gabe Ripley himself. Or Free access to the TattooNOW Business Roundtable if your not ready for a 1 on 1 but want to learn more https://longevity.tattoonow.com/about-tattoonow-business-software?am_id=jakemeeks9626   Links for this episode: Keep up with us at: https://firesidetattoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Firesidetattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/firesidetattoo/ Jake's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pluguglyart/