The Dark Side of Tattooing & Why AI is Ruining Art ft. Kirk Nilsen | Ep. 121

In Episode 121 of Chats & Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Kirk Nilsen—a pioneer of medieval, woodcut, and architectural ornamental tattooing.

In this episode, we discuss: • The early days of ornamental blackwork and overcoming industry backlash • Horror stories from 2000s-era apprenticeships (drug dealers, fake papers, and Sink-or-Swim moments) • The trap of defining your personal identity solely by your job • How AI, Procreate shortcuts, and pattern brushes are eroding original art—and why handmade work will ultimately skyrocket in value • The reality behind 14 years of tattoo shop ownership and making the pivot to Charleston, SC

Quotes

1. "Everyone hated it... When the ornamental shit started really going off, every tattooer fucking hated it. I was definitely the new young guy everyone fucking hated." — Kirk Nelsen

2. "Handmade things will increase in value because it's going to become rarer and rarer. When clients see artists bragging about AI, they realize: this guy doesn't give a fuck about your tattoo." — Kirk Nilsen

3. "Potential beats talent if talent doesn't work hard. You've got to be God-given to some degree, but if you're working, getting better, and have that little 'it' thing, it's next level." — Kirk Nilsen

4. "Stop trying to be someone else. That's not how it works. Jackson Pollock was Jackson Pollock—he wasn't trying to be the next guy." — Kirk Nilsen

5. "I don't care about owning a business anymore. I don't want to deal with paperwork or people. I just want to draw pictures, tattoo the pictures, and go home." — Kirk Nilsen