FILIP LEU - Part 2 BOOKS CLOSED Podcast

Legendary tattoo artist, Filip Leu, sits down to discuss why he is excited to share his work with friends without seeking validation from social media, why no one is a “natural artist,” AI’s impact on making art, and why tattooing done with care is what it’s all about.
This is part 2 of this conversation. Part 1 can be found on Ep 051
Find Filip at The Leu Family's Family Iron in Bullet, Switzerland
Find Andrew at Worship Tattoo in Portsmouth, NH
BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)
Music by Epidemic Sound
**This episode is sponsored by:**
EQUAL VISION RECORDS
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TATTOO NECTAR
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TATTOO DREAM
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BLACK DAGGER BOOKS
A collection of art books from some of the hardest working tattooers in the game, released monthly. Sign up today for a subscription so you don't miss a single edition!
DOS-M
Digital Optimizations For Tattoo Artists
Head to digitaltattooers.com to get your FREE consultation setup today!

[@theatlantatattootv]

This is absolutely incredible. I’m not a podcast guy (I’m old and have tattooed for 33 years & can’t even get into my own Netflix account 😂) but this conversation w/ Filip is different than anything I’ve ever heard. Really fantastic Andrew. I don’t know you, I have met Filip aand his wife& mother a couple of different times & this 2 part series absolutely is what my impression of Filip is like. You did an exceptional job of letting him talk with minimal interruptions, just enough to keep pushing the conversation forward. Exceptional and a really important part of history here, I had everyone at our studio (24 people)”All or Nothing Tattoo” listen to this in its entirety twice each. I believe his opinion is that important. Interestingly I came to so many of the exact same conclusions at 33 years of tattooing and could relate to every part of this. Especially the one client he could not work with, that happened to me w/ two different clients but I get along well with the other thousands of people I’ve worked on for hours and hours. Thank you for making this. I’m excited to travel to this small village and get tattooed now more than ever. Great Piece of art you made here that will last forever. Well done on both sides of the table here. - Brandon Bond.

[@tattoosbyrishabh]

Absolutely !! Much love and respect Brandon… Always wanted to visit your shop, whenever I travel to US !

[@theatlantatattootv]

@@tattoosbyrishabh well come see us! We are in Atlanta GA

[@genzedsdead6165]

Perfectly said

[@BetterTattooing]

Rad comment Bond. Good to see you out there online more often

[@genzedsdead6165]

Hard to put into words how special this is, especially when such an eloquent and balanced master has just washed over your ears for over an hour, so will just say thankyou and congrats Andrew for documenting such an important stamp of tattoo history.

[@saladz3657]

One of the greatest interviews of any tattoo artist. Bits of history and knowledge from all the greatest artists.

[@bron506]

Listening to this interview was such a pleasure. I've come to a deep love of tattooing over the years of getting inked, and my tattooer recommended your podcast. What a privilege to be able to listen to a legend like Filip Leu. He's so self-effacing, but really I don't think it can be overstated how generous he is to share 40 years of lived experience, careful thought, and love toward the craft. Fantastic approach on your part as well, to just sit back and listen with us instead of being a host who showboats and eats up the air. Leu's measured calm leaves me feeling of being settled and clarified after listening -- really a rare gift!

[@douglasfink131]

Thanks Filip for doing the interviews!

[@ianwhite7750]

Probably the best tattoo podcast interview I’ve heard. Thanks Andrew 🙏🏼

[@chasphotography]

I feel like I just experienced the ultimate tattoo apprenticeship in just 3 hours. Or at the very least a semester of college in a philosophy of humanity class. Or maybe a little of both. Such a wonderful interview. I have to give you credit Andrew on your choice of questions. You really cover a vast plethora of subjects that truly needed to be covered in an interview with a person of Filips credentials, skills and history. I humbly applaud you for that. 👏

[@zeitgeisttattoo9588]

Thank you so much for the best interview i‘ve ever heard!!! I will certainly listen to it 100 more times.

[@TheGoblin1975]

Its been a good month for feeling posi about tattooing.. between this and grimes' interviews w conn..i feel selfishly blessed in that. instead of being negative about being tattooed lately, hearing filip talk reminds me literally why many of us just want to be touched by the magick of tattooing. Thx for this interview. Listened 3 times thus far. Cheers. (Also, if anyone has ever seen a full filip leu suit, its a truly awesome thing. The power, the flow, all the things you wanna see in a tattoo.)

[@iwilltattoo]

In my 30 years of tattooing, Filip has been a serious influence/legend since day one. Thank you for making this. Great to hear this from such a great mind! Wonderful interview!!

[@MiguelAChavez23]

Super grateful for these Andrew and Filip!!

[@explodingboy421]

This is pretty special man, thank you. It's perfect. Made me feel really good about my own place in tattooing and my own feelings about tattooing. Keep up the great work. Would love to hear an interview with Henning.

[@hannahjaynetattoo]

Thank you so much for this! I didn’t know how much I needed to hear Filip’s words and wisdom again.

[@joshetch9751]

Thanks for this, such an important and need words by one of the masters in our craft. We are lucky to be standing shoulders of giants in this industry, glad you were able to record this for all of us to enjoy. Thanks Andrew, great work

[@camo_camiloart8130]

The first 5 second of this video made me pause for second. It's so true. Thanks for putting this together man. This is such a good watch for anybody in the industry.

[@susomoraify]

I loved these last two episodes. Thanks a lot for your time and effort Andrew and Filip!

[@skidogleb]

I’ve learned more from my tattoo artist than almost anyone else. It’s good to have such kind words from the elders so kids like us plan our sleeves better. thanks from Salt Lake City ☮️❤️

[@TigerRobBGT]

So much knowledge and wisdom dropped in these. Much to be learned at any level of tattooing. Thank you for making this happen.

[@Seeeeebra]

This has been one of the best interviews I’ve ever had the pleasure to listened to, I’m really grateful for both of you, so much to digest, thank you so much ❤

[@andrewstortz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kulturetattoo]

As I have been tattooing 30 years, this is very refreshing and what I needed. All my mentors are dead

[@nitrojunkie761]

Thank you, to the both of you! Awesome interview!❤

[@RandomRotation]

I loved every second of this. Thank you! Cheers from northern germany.

[@user-bj7vc7ok8l]

Thank you Andrew, this is awesome.

[@user-yq7pt2bs4q]

Man that was so good! Thank you so much for putting these interviews together!!

[@RsnCheered]

Just finished both parts. What a great conversation and great dude to interview. I’m 9 months into an apprenticeship and feel like I gained a great insight into some of the history and culture around tattooing as well as some food for thought when it comes to our relationship with the client. Look forward to more conversations of a similar manner. Cheers

[@justbumper1473]

So happy I found this! Nice to hear his story and point of view!! Great interview!!

[@daghancantezcanli3757]

Thank you again and again ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@doubleegg6668]

been looking forward to this. Thanks Andrew and Filip

[@vinniesmith7455]

It’s funny when he talks about jumping from step one to three in the drawing process … I found I’ve gone back to what I call “analog drawing” on paper … even a small sketch pad to get an idea out or work it out … but it does give the organic affect that tablets cannot recreate what so ever …. Drawing in paper forces you to draw and redraw till you get what you want out of it … ! Loving the podcast and can’t wait for more !

[@user-cb2oy7vc2r]

How is this content free? Thank you Andrew it was amazing to watch this!

[@MorganEZOR]

Thank you for sharing this discussion 🙏🙏🙏

[@gustavosantoslima9507]

Thank you for this man, cheers from Brasil!!!

[@Ori.Ana.Lightning]

Yessss thoroughly enjoyed that🐲♥️👁️♥️🐲 thanks a million

[@tsunamitattoo2362]

Amazing . Thanks for doing this .this needed to be documented:)

[@Hipos390]

thanks again for the whole interview.

[@Andresuribee]

Amazing! thanks for this!

[@andrewstortz]

Glad you liked it!

[@jimmyjams71]

🙏Thanks so much man. This was brilliant on many levels. The listening experience was insightful and meditative.

[@UserName-vv1ws]

Ayeeeeooooo we back for part 2

[@AlexCortez57]

Amazing interview, cheers to you both from San Francisco!

[@jesshoovertattoos]

Beautiful absolutely beautiful!!!

[@EMMETWORKSTattooArt]

This was like a dream, what a time to be alive. Next do Horiyoshi III please if isn't to much to ask.

[@andrewstortz]

That is probably too much to ask, unfortunately

[@J3FP4G3]

this conversation was so enjoyable!!!

[@Agatsu]

Thank you both for doing this. Great stuff

[@andrewstortz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@frankdostuni1]

This is quality tattoo knowledge and history for who's really into tattoo and also helps somebody grow by learning some unwritten rules about this wanderful profession

[@ssw4343]

Thank you!

[@jeanramirez2500]

Qué hermosura!! Gracias por esto.

[@luizfelipecarvalho267]

incrivelmente inspirador, a forma como ele enxerga a arte e a visão do artista em relação à sociedade, é um mix de sociologia, filosofia, arte e psicologia... é a vida como um todo, muito muito foda ! saudações do BR 🇧🇷, Legend !

[@steventurner8870]

Filip leu is a tattoo god, amazing podcast thank you

[@adrian9983]

THANK YOU!

[@Kasius.tattoo]

Love this , keep doing what you doing ❤

[@andrewstortz]

Thank you so much!!

[@Zen_Not_Zen]

Both episodes , Brilliantly tasty - Thank you, Filip and Andrew

[@johncox5274]

killed it brotha flip is the man thanks flip long time fan i was at the mass shows was amazing to watch him an the others tattoo an art fusion was off the hook

[@gablerynning2865]

WHAT an awesome listen. I can't get over him saying how tattoos done with pens, are taking so much more time to complete, I just tattooed a few clients (That have work from other artists) and they sat for what I think is way too much time. One of them was black and grey bats, on the chest. The tattoos were good but 3 sessions, for detailed bats that don't even have solid, dark, rich black in them seems wrong. I feel like I could do the same thing, with my coils on half the time.

[@runamasishunku3467]

Thank you

[@Silentghos]

Thank you so much ❤

[@steventorres7586]

JUST WONDERFUL CONTENT! 10/10

[@calkrawczyk1944]

Thats so cool that equal vision is a sponsorship!

[@joseestrada395]

Philip a true art visionary.

[@ziro6610]

this is an amazing person! 🔥

[@crystallker1590]

Watch this being played in tattoo university 20 years from now.

[@joshdv4833]

Going to need you to put out “Butt Pieces” - this was beyond incredible. Thank you, Andrew!

[@acid1287]

Thank you for sharing this, as somebody that has recently begun the tattooing journey and felt somewhat let down by some of the realities of our industry, it's nice to hear one of the all time greats share his perspective. It was incredibly motivating to hear his passion for the craft after all these years. PS - The AI generated background was some perfect comedic timing.. a nice change of pace from the insight Filip is constantly throwing down.

[@Spydeys]

greatness once again! got me tricked with that wide angle for a sec 🤓 \,,/

[@sk8george]

What a fascinating dude!

[@ricardojames268]

I’d love to flip through his iPad drawings

[@phillythekidtattoos]

Proper stuff. ❤

[@chrisbowen2102]

So good

[@filipetonon6229]

Yeahhhh ❤

[@gangwish9806]

Legend!

[@user-lx6yi9vn7e]

GREAT

[@tattoo45uk]

wise words

[@damianhopeellamstattoos]

Unreal

[@HeyitsMarioDiaz]

I liked and subscribed…all for the nookie.

[@andrewstortz]

That’s what’s up.

[@theatlantatattootv]

And you can take that cookie.

[@theatlantatattootv]

@@andrewstortz by the way I wouldn’t really call what Fred was doing “tattooing” hahahaa. Have you seen the work he did? Friend of mine has one. Oooof. Makes him wanna break stuff. Hahahahaa

[@treecity3596]

Well done!! Did you get tattooed by Filip while there?

[@WolffP]

🙏

[@nakolka_podcast]

Once Ive made a portrait of Fred Durst on my client and later my client was on concert of Limp Bizkit and Fred signatured my work )

[@brysimms]

So sick!

[@FKG83]

amazing interview, super happy i discovered your podcast! i wanted to give you a follow and leave a comment here on youtube as well. You should consider having Alex Reinke (Horikitsune) on, great guy, super interesting stories and outlook on tattoing

[@andrewstortz]

Welcome aboard!

[@Nomathomas2201]

Can’t wait for Fred durst 😤

[@vincentmcdaniel2081]

You should do kyle butler next❤

[@yordysantana5462]

turn on subtitles please

[@andrewstortz]

Working on it! Thanks for the nudge

[@andrewstortz]

There is an auto-translate option in your playback settings, are those ever accurate enough to be helpful?

[@martinhiliebrand5006]

8:25 most likely here, he's talking about Nissaco

[@WeekendAtRennies]

😂😂 ice cream tasting mattress testing movie credit🎯

[@gramaloka]

The ice cream teaster

[@andrewstortz]

The dream 🤤

[@jonasgoog375]

the crux of the buttox :D

[@skatedd2451]

Squash Drive machines are good first ones that went so good but the ones I'm using now work great and I can tattoo quite fast with them the sadly stop tattooing overall internet garbage Gangsta shitt

[@M_guwop]

So nice made my week

[@indieladylove]

no still not subscribing nor liking this channel. the excessive ads is annoying. ruined the flow of filip leu interview.

[@andrewstortz]

Just skip them, it easy. Someone has to pay for these episodes to get made, and it’s certainly not you.

[@andrewstortz]

Also, you are already subscribed to this channel, so why lie in a comment?

[@painville]

@@andrewstortzyou are wild bro 😂

[@UserName-vv1ws]

Bro, you out of pocket. Get YT premium and quit being a spoiled cry baby 😭👶

[@theatlantatattootv]

You actually took time out of your day to announce your disdain for sponsors and somehow punish this guy and Filip leu by saying you’re not subscribing but you watched both parts? 😂😂😂😂😂 I imagine you’re a very unhappy person and I hope that you find peace and happiness in a world that gives zero f*cks about your subscription. You could have created this monumental conversation w/ Filip Leu too! Instead you’re throwing rocks at it from afar. Go accomplish something instead of insulting someone who did. You have the same 24 hours in a day so make something, anything and I promise I won’t go on it and be a hater. - Brandon Bond.

[@user-lx6yi9vn7e]

GREAT