From Athletic Dreams to Indigenous Ink: Nolan's Story of Resilience and Tattoo Artistry
Explicit content warning
01/16/24 • 67 min
#004 When life throws a curveball, it's the resilience within us that crafts our most profound stories. Join me as I sit down with Nolan, a Beauval-born tattoo artist, whose life took an unexpected turn from aspiring athlete to a master of ink and culture. His narrative is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength that emerges from the ashes of shattered dreams, amplified through the deep connections between his art and Indigenous heritage. In our conversation, Nolan opens up about the car accident that rerouted his destiny and the pivotal role of a friend who saw his unmined potential, setting him on the path to tattoo artistry.
Embarking on a journey toward self-discovery isn't without its hurdles. Nolan's candid tales of growth, from the initial hesitance to embrace a new identity to the eventual fusion of personal and cultural expression in his tattoo work, are nothing short of inspiring. He highlights the importance of evolving artistically, taking risks, and the intrinsic value of incorporating indigenous narratives into his designs. This episode peels back the layers of Nolan's artistic metamorphosis, celebrating his bold leap from the safety net of a teaching career to the creative freedoms of tattooing full-time.
The power of storytelling in our episode does not end with Nolan's transformative experiences. It extends to the communal journey of resilience, the emotional depth of ancestral tattooing, and the profound impact of setting boundaries. We traverse through powerful moments at an Indigenous tattoo gathering and the soulful connections that can only be forged through shared heritage and art. As we wrap up our time together, we leave you with a sense of anticipation for what's to come, including an upcoming conversation with Natalie Standingcloud, another remarkable artist whose journey is bound to captivate and inspire.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work.
Check out Nolan's work at:
Instagram @malbeuf
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#004 When life throws a curveball, it's the resilience within us that crafts our most profound stories. Join me as I sit down with Nolan, a Beauval-born tattoo artist, whose life took an unexpected turn from aspiring athlete to a master of ink and culture. His narrative is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength that emerges from the ashes of shattered dreams, amplified through the deep connections between his art and Indigenous heritage. In our conversation, Nolan opens up about the car accident that rerouted his destiny and the pivotal role of a friend who saw his unmined potential, setting him on the path to tattoo artistry.
Embarking on a journey toward self-discovery isn't without its hurdles. Nolan's candid tales of growth, from the initial hesitance to embrace a new identity to the eventual fusion of personal and cultural expression in his tattoo work, are nothing short of inspiring. He highlights the importance of evolving artistically, taking risks, and the intrinsic value of incorporating indigenous narratives into his designs. This episode peels back the layers of Nolan's artistic metamorphosis, celebrating his bold leap from the safety net of a teaching career to the creative freedoms of tattooing full-time.
The power of storytelling in our episode does not end with Nolan's transformative experiences. It extends to the communal journey of resilience, the emotional depth of ancestral tattooing, and the profound impact of setting boundaries. We traverse through powerful moments at an Indigenous tattoo gathering and the soulful connections that can only be forged through shared heritage and art. As we wrap up our time together, we leave you with a sense of anticipation for what's to come, including an upcoming conversation with Natalie Standingcloud, another remarkable artist whose journey is bound to captivate and inspire.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work.
Check out Nolan's work at:
Instagram @malbeuf
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
Previous Episode
The Erasure of Indigenous Tattoos in an Effort to Civilize the Savages with Pauline Alvarez
Bonus Episode # 007 When Pauline Alvarez speaks about her grandmother's tattoos—symbols etched with cactus spines—she isn't just recounting family history; she's weaving a narrative of identity, resistance, and empowerment. My latest conversation with this passionate zine maker and advocate for indigenous tattooing traditions reveals how these practices are much more than skin-deep. Pauline, with roots in both Los Angeles and Oodham territory, joins us to discuss the cultural significance of tattoos within Indigenous communities.
This episode is an intimate glimpse into the personal and transformative power of Indigenous tattooing, as Pauline shares the poignant story of her family's tattoos and how they serve as a testament to reclaiming autonomy, particularly for indigenous women. We explore the resurgence of traditional Oodham tattooing methods and how they affirm identity in a contemporary world that all too often seeks to erase Indigenous histories. Through Paulines work on a zine project aimed at documenting and preserving these traditions, we are reminded of the importance of keeping this knowledge alive and widely accessible for future generations. Join me for a journey that transcends the mere aesthetics of tattooing and honors the deep spiritual connections they represent.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work. This bonus interview is from my extensive archive of interviews, conversations and presentations I have recorded over the past 8 years.
You can check out Pauline at:
Instagram @oodhamhoney
Big shout out to Tia Clearsky for assistance with recording this interview.
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
Next Episode
Weaving Cherokee Identity and Heritage Through Tattooing with Natalie Standingcloud
#005 When Natalie Standingcloud etches stories into skin, each line is more than art—it's heritage, history, and identity. Today, she grants us a glimpse into her world, where tattoos are a canvas for the Salish and Cherokee stories that run as deep as the ink. As Natalie weaves her personal tale, we travel the threads of her cultural tapestry, learning how a single tattoo can mark the beginning of a woman's journey, serve as an emblem of indomitable spirit, and bind her to the roots that hold her steadfast against the winds of time.
Embark on an emotional ride with us as Natalie recounts the sweat and tears of the Remember the Removal Bike Ride, where the asphalt miles under her wheels brought her face to face with the legacy of the Trail of Tears. Her voice carries the weight of generations, each word a step closer to understanding what it means to be Cherokee in heart and in spirit. As we traverse the realms of acting and comedy with Natalie's experiences, from community theater's embrace to the spotlight with the 1491s and "Reservation Dogs," we see the mosaic of humor and drama that shapes Native American identity today.
Natalie's narrative doesn't end at the edge of the stage; it extends to the catwalks of New York Fashion Week, where her strides echo the pride of Cherokee artists. Her journey of self-discovery, which challenges the notion that one must excel in a singular creative field, paints a portrait of a woman whose essence is mirrored in every facet of her work. Join us as Natalie Standingcloud shares a masterclass not just on Indigenous tattooing, but on living a life where every mark, every role, and every walk is a testament to the enduring stories of her ancestors.
Check out Nathalie's work at:
Instagram @nattatt8
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
Transformative Marks Podcast - From Athletic Dreams to Indigenous Ink: Nolan's Story of Resilience and Tattoo Artistry
Transcript
I don't want to romanticize it too much , but as soon as I
Speaker 1hit the skin with a needle I was like
Speaker 1I found it . You know , it was just this realization , but I didn't find it , it found me . You know the circumstance created this thing , where I would
Speaker 1If you like this episode you’ll love
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