Скачать или смотреть Getting Tattooed Without Knowing What It’ll Be – Face Tattoo Talks 15 - Johnny

In this episode of Face Tattoo Talks, I sit down with Johnny, a heavily tattooed individual from Atlanta, Georgia, with over four decades of tattoo experience. Starting in the late 1970s, Johnny built a full body suit over many years and now continues his journey through a unique tattoo project where a friend curates all his new tattoos—without his input.

We discuss how this project works, the philosophy behind giving up creative control, and Johnny’s decision to revisit his existing tattoos through black blastover work. He reflects on his early years of tattooing, how styles and techniques have changed, and how this new phase of tattooing allows him to add a fresh, layered dimension to the work already on his body.

Johnny also talks about his professional background in law, entertainment, and tech, and how the perception of tattoos—especially visible ones—has evolved over the decades. From tattooed eyeballs and a split tongue to cultural tattoo encounters in Japan and Tahiti, this episode explores the long-term impact of living visibly and unapologetically tattooed.

Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction
0:51 – Please introduce yourself
1:52 – What are you here for today?
5:32 – What else do you have planned for this project?
6:31 – What do you do for a living?
6:52 – What are some reactions you get when you tell people about your background?
8:13 – Where did your interest in tattoos come from?
9:55 – Was there a trigger for getting your face tattooed?
12:10 – What’s the kind of pain that comes with tattooing the eyelids?
13:30 – What’s something surprising about life with so many tattoos?
14:41 – You’ve had work done by lots of artists. Which ones stood out?
15:49 – Who are some renowned tattoo artists you’ve met over the years?
17:01 – Have your tattoos ever brought you to remarkable places or situations?
19:46 – How do people react when they see you on the street?
21:32 – Are you ever confronted with hate online?

Interview Highlights

A Tattoo Project Without Creative Control
Johnny is undergoing a tattoo project where a longtime friend selects artists, designs, and placement—while Johnny arrives at the studio without knowing what he'll get. This process removes personal bias, introduces new visual ideas, and challenges his comfort zone.

Black Blastovers: A Second Skin Over Color Work
With a full color body suit already in place, Johnny has started layering blackwork blastovers over his older tattoos. The contrast between vibrant color and bold black creates depth and visual interest, adding a new chapter to his long tattoo journey. For Johnny, this approach offers a way to evolve without erasing the past—blending old and new into something entirely different.

Career Background and Shifting Acceptance
Johnny worked on Wall Street as a lawyer, in entertainment in Los Angeles, and in tech in Silicon Valley. He discusses how visible tattoos were once incompatible with professional careers and how that has changed over time.

First Tattoo in Amsterdam (1979/1980)
His tattoo journey began with an eagle and snake design in Amsterdam. From that moment on, he became fascinated by body art, gradually building out his collection over the next four decades.

Face Tattoos and Confidence
Johnny began tattooing his face and head after retiring professionally. He talks about how long he considered it, the positive reactions he now receives, and how the process has made him feel more confident in his skin.

Tattooed Eyes, Split Tongue, and Body Mod Culture
He discusses tattooing his eyeballs and having his tongue split—decisions made over time and always with safety and experienced artists in mind.

Cultural Encounters in Japan and Tahiti
From silent approval by tattooed locals in Tokyo to warm welcomes in Tahiti, Johnny recounts memorable encounters where tattoos served as an unspoken connection across cultures.

Public Perception and Positive Interactions
Far from receiving negativity, Johnny says that nearly every day someone stops him to compliment his appearance or take a photo. He shares reflections on how curiosity, rather than judgment, has defined most of his public interactions.

Philosophy on Expression and Acceptance
Johnny closes with thoughts on how tattoos have helped him shape his identity and how embracing differences—both your own and others'—can be a powerful way to move through the world.

Engage with Us:
If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. Curious about blastover tattoos, body modification, or what it means to be visibly tattooed? Let’s talk.

Tags:
#FaceTattoo #TattooCulture #TattooInterview #HeavilyTattooed #TattooedAndProud #BodyModifications #BlackBlastover #BlastoverTattoos #TattooedEyes #SplitTongue #Jobstoppers #TattooJourney #TattooedIdentity #TattooStories #TattooHistory #TattooEmpowerment #FaceTattooTalks #BodyArt #BlackRainTattoo #BarrieBlackMagic #YakuzaTattoos #CoverUpTattoos #LayeredTattoos