Tattoo Artist Rusty Savage has been tattooing since 1975 — and his tattoo career spans more than five decades of tattoo history. In this tattoo artist interview, Rusty sits down to talk about his journey from getting started in Oregon to becoming part of the old-school tattoo community and traveling throughout the country.

Rusty Savage shares stories about learning the fundamentals from Dok Tom Slick and Tattoo Bill, working motorcycle swap meets, opening his first tattoo shop in 1986, and eventually becoming deeply involved with tattoo conventions and some of the most influential tattoo artists of his generation.

We also talk about Mr. Tramp, Don Ed Hardy, Sailor Moses, Jack Rudy, Creeper, Paul Booth, Suzanne Fauser, Greg James and many other artists who helped shape the evolution of tattooing.

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is Rusty's perspective on the difference between old-school tattooing and modern tattooing. He discusses the importance of learning the fundamentals, building a strong foundation, machine and equipment changes, coil machines versus modern machines, bold linework, longevity, and what tattoos might look like decades after they are applied.

Rusty also explains how tattooing went from a relatively small community of artists in the 1970s and early 1980s to the enormous craft it is today — including the explosion of tattoo shops, conventions, television, the internet, and social media.

🔥 In This Interview:

• 50+ years of tattooing — Rusty Savage started his tattoo journey in October 1975.
• The old-school apprenticeship — Learning needle bars, pigment, machine tuning, and the fundamentals of tattooing.
• Dok Slick & Tattoo Bill — The early mentors who helped shape Rusty's career.
• Mr. Tramp's influence — The advice that encouraged Rusty to pursue tattooing as a career.
• Opening his first tattoo shop in 1986 — And watching the tattoo industry grow around him.
• Tattoo conventions & traveling — Stories from decades of working with artists across the country.
• Sailor Moses — Rusty reveals his favorite tattoo artist of all time.
• Don Ed Hardy & the evolution of tattoo art — How artists began pushing tattooing in new artistic directions.
• Creeper, Jack Rudy, Paul Booth & more — Memories of influential artists Rusty worked alongside.
• Old-school vs. modern tattooing — How techniques, equipment, and artistic approaches have changed.
• Coil machines, rotaries & modern equipment — Rusty's perspective after decades behind the machine.
• Tattoo longevity — Why bold lines and strong foundations mattered to old-school tattooers.
• The explosion of tattoo culture — From a small community to thousands of tattoo shops and a massive global audience.
• Advice for aspiring tattoo artists — Rusty's brutally honest answer to anyone thinking about entering the industry.

This is a conversation about tattoo history, tattoo culture, apprenticeship, old-school tattooing, tattoo machines, tattoo conventions, and the people who helped shape the craft.

If you're interested in the history of tattooing and the artists who helped build the industry, this interview with Rusty Savage is one you won't want to miss.

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