"Anything can be kinky if you're brave enough." — Ciel
Introduction
Cellophane & Vaseline is the new podcast by Ciel and Arthak — two tattoo artists who decided to put their machines down for a few hours to talk about the craft, creativity, and everything that orbits the tattoo world.
The pilot, recorded between laughs, a sacrificed roll of cellophane, and a loosely screwed mic, sets the tone for a series that's intimate, chaotic, and deeply human.
Where Did the Name Come From?
At first, there were "serious" suggestions — Le Bon Voltage, Tattoo Talk, etc. Then the community voted. And the community was both wrong and right at the same time:
"Cellophane & Vaseline" — a name that's grungy, poetic, kinky, and perfectly fitting for the tattoo universe.
Ciel and Arthak talk about how they resisted, then accepted:
"I didn't want it. I refused. Why are people voting for this?" "It's a joke!" "But no, it's beautiful, it flows, it glides off the tongue."
Ciel & Arthak — Cross Introductions
Ciel
26 years old, all their teeth, about forty plants, and a sharp sense of humor. Tattoo artist with many facets, Ciel prefers fun facts over CVs and claims an instinctive, living approach to tattooing.
"I have more boobs than butts in my portfolio, but that's normal — I do a lot of thighs."
Arthak
Tattoo artist for 5 years, former app developer, passionate about code and technical creativity.
"I like mixing dev and tattooing. Creating tools, automating, generating, inventing." His drive: understand and innovate. "I have an infinity symbol on my back... on a punk alcoholic unicorn."
The Spirit of the Podcast: Ink, Ego, and Self-Deprecation
Cellophane & Vaseline is a living conversation, a ping-pong of ideas and confessions. No plan, no posturing — just two artists thinking out loud.
Topics covered in the pilot:
- Originality in tattooing: "Everything's been done before, but nothing's been done by me."
- The line between craftsman and artist: balancing pure creativity with real-world work.
- Freedom within constraints: "Paradoxically, the more constraints I have, the freer I feel."
- Artistic gatekeeping: should you "claim" an idea? "You don't copyright the rose."
Tattooing: Craft or Art?
Ciel and Arthak tackle the question that stirs every studio:
"Are we craftsmen, or artists?"
Their answer: 👉 sometimes both. 👉 sometimes neither. 👉 often depends on the bills.
One talks about commission pieces that pay the rent. The other about blank checks that are as terrifying as they are freeing.
"The more info I have, the freer I feel. That's beautiful."
The Taboo Topic: Tattoos You Regret
Being honest, both admit their mistakes:
- Placements that weren't smart (Arthak's symmetrical squares — neither done nor to-do).
- Designs copied without knowing from Pinterest.
- Moments when the stars weren't aligned.
But also a philosophy:
"It's done, it's there, it's my skin, it's my story. Laser can burn it off."
Pilot Recommendations
Tattoo Artists to Follow:
- Esteban Ourscargot — vibrant abstract, wild colors, Lyon.
- Pest — reference for European abstract tattooing.
- Alexei Marcinò — deconstructing color tattooing.
- M.O.D & L.K. Black — high-level floral and blackwork.
Culture and Games:
- Sapiens (Yuval Noah Harari) — a humanist essay worth listening to as much as reading.
- Hyper Light Drifter — a dark, poetic pixel art adventure game.
Conclusion: The End (and the Beginning)
A blurry pilot, but a sincere one. Crackling mics, ideas flying, and above all a voice you'll recognize anywhere: two passionate people who aren't playing at making a podcast — they're living it.
"Thanks for listening to the end. If you're still here, give us 5 stars. Everyone else, your opinion doesn't count."
