Cross Disciplines | Gifford Kasen | EP 294
Cross Disciplines: Creativity Outside Tattooing
| Gifford Kasen | EP 294
We're diving deep into the world of Gifford Kasen! An artist who didn't just learn tattooing, but breathed it, challenged it, and transformed through relentless curiosity. From punk rock flyers to intricate large scale biomech designs, to incredible fine art, this is about breaking down artistic barriers and finding your own voice in a world that's constantly trying to box you in.
Every technical skill, every experimental technique, every moment of creative friction becomes part of the toolkit of an artist committed to continuous development. This isn't some motivational poster - it's about understanding how artistic growth happens through deliberate challenge, strategic experimentation, and a willingness to completely demolish your comfort zone. If you're serious about leveling up your craft, get ready to look at your artistic development like a technical problem that needs solving - one barrier at a time.
This episode was made possible thanks to:
Interview by By Jake Meeks —
Writing By Daniel Pushcarich —
Topics: tattooing, biomechanical art, punk, Milwaukee, Chicago, artistic style, learning, client focus, painting techniques, illustration, contrast, composition, mentorship, life drawing, artistic influences, experimentation, creativity, tattoo conventions, artistic growth, technical skills, imagination
“Make the space to fail at something; it might suck, but you might learn something from it.”
— Gifford Kasen
Gifford Kasen (@futureteller) began his artistic journey designing for Milwaukee punk bands before transitioning to tattooing in 2004. Over 15+ years, he developed a signature biomechanical style featuring bold, interconnected shapes that create movement and depth across the body. In 2014, he opened Logan Square Tattoo in Chicago. Beyond tattooing,
Gifford works with ink, graphite, and oil paints, blending representational and science fiction themes. His recent Hive and Molt series bridges his traditional art with his tattoo aesthetic, drawing inspiration from insect hives and exoskeletons to evoke both wonder and revulsion through layered, geological-like formations.
Gifford is based in Chicago, IL, and owns/tattoos at Logan Square tattoo.
Please enjoy!
INTERVIEW LINKS, MENTIONS, AND SHOW NOTES BELOW…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Gifford Kasen:
futuretellerart.com | Logan Square Tattoo | @futureteller | @logansquaretattoo
SHOW NOTES
[00:01] Introduction to Gford Kassen and Tattooing Styles
[03:05] Artistic Background and Evolution in Tattooing
[09:20] Overcoming Artistic Insecurities and Client Focus
[10:26] Common Mistakes of Beginning Artists
[11:34] Learning from Experienced Artists
[13:41] Personal Approaches to Tattooing
[18:45] The Balance of Restraint in Tattoo Design
[21:43] Educational Approaches in Tattoo Training
[25:53] Integrating Life Drawing with Tattoo Techniques
[28:21] Developing a Unique Artistic Style
[30:40] Creative Exploration Beyond Tattooing
[32:55] Embracing Failure in the Artistic Process
Unleashing Creative Potential: Breaking Through Artistic Barriers
Every artist hits a wall where their creativity starts feeling like a rusty gate that just won't budge. The real magic happens when you stop making excuses and start deliberately creating friction in your artistic process, pushing against those comfortable boundaries that have been holding you back.
What if you treated your artistic limitations like a technical problem that needs solving, breaking down each barrier into actionable steps? Most artists get stuck because they're afraid of looking stupid, but the really experienced artists know that every awkward experiment is just another tool in developing your unique voice.
Challenge yourself to deliberately choose techniques that make you uncomfortable - whether that's a new drawing or painting medium, studying an entirely different artistic discipline, or practicing a skill that feels completely foreign to your current style. The moment you stop protecting your ego and start embracing the learning process is exactly when your artwork will start transforming from technically proficient to genuinely compelling.
Decoding Design: The Blueprint of a Powerful Tattoo
As Gifford says in the interview “they're looking at all the candy on top, and they want to do that so they're just focusing on that cool detail”. But, Bio, as well as any other style or genre, isn't just about drawing cool details - it's about understanding how visual elements communicate a complex language in the design and on skin. Shapes, value, and edge contrast are the fundamental building blocks that transform a basic design that sits on the skin into something that LIVES on the client.
How do you move from creating technically correct tattoos to designs that actually tell a story? Artists who master design principles learn to see beyond individual elements, understanding how each line, shadow, and negative space contributes to the overall visual narrative. Composition becomes a process of understanding form, balance, and the unique topology of the human body as a canvas. The most compelling tattoos aren't just technically perfect - they're visual narratives that speak a language deeper than individual details.
The Psychological Landscape of Artistic Development
What internal barriers prevent artists from reaching their full potential, and how can these be systematically overcome? Fear operates like an invisible constraint, silently limiting the boundaries of artistic potential. Many artists wrestle with internal narratives of inadequacy, allowing critique and self-doubt to erect psychological barriers around their creative expression.
What personal framework could you develop that treats every challenge as an opportunity for growth? By reframing critique as “feedback” it creates an opportunity for learning and building supportive artistic communities, then tattoo artists can build the psychological resilience necessary for long-term creative evolution.
MORE Gifford QUOTES FROM THIS INTERVIEW
Overcoming Artistic Insecurities and Client Focus
“Someone is gonna call me out on not doing this [Biomech] well enough, but you know, I’m proud of it and the clients really stoked on it. So, what do I care if it’s not ‘correct’ in the tattoo sense”
— Gifford Kasen
Common Mistakes in Biomechanical Tattoos for Beginners
“They're just focusing on that cool detail and they lose track of the form.”
— Gifford Kasen
Balancing Imagination and Technique
“You never want to break someone out of that imaginative approach to drawing, because it’s important. You want it to be fun, and you want them to develop their own style.”
— Gifford Kasen
Creative Exploration Beyond Tattooing
“I would do something that you haven't done before and see if it gives you any inspiration… You can find inspiration in anything, but you gotta go out and look for it and get out of your comfort zone.”
— Gifford Kasen
PEOPLE MENTIONED
This episode was made possible thanks to:
Gifford Kasen Tattoo/Art Gallery
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