The latest episode of Skin Deep — the docu-series by Josh Adams dedicated to tattoo artists active on the contemporary American scene — puts the spotlight on Eddie Stacey (@eddiestacey), a veteran tattooer from Georgia.
The episode, released on 18 November and now available on YouTube, tells the story of an artist who, for over a decade and a half, embodied the discipline of traditional American tattooing: repetition, fundamentals, work ethic. The classic trajectory of someone on their way towards a solid and predictable career.
But Eddie decided to challenge himself again, and in his artistic evolution he chose to focus his research on blackwork, developing a style built on movement, strong contrasts and pure gesture — a visual language that demands a deep and well-grounded relationship with drawing.
“Eddie is the perfect example of an artist who respects the roots of the craft, yet also recognises the potential of its future,” explains Josh Adams, creator and host of the series. “He grew up in the old-school tradition, but he never closed the door to evolution.”
As Eddie says in the video, tattooing has no finish line. There is no perfection. There is no arrival point. It is a lifelong path of constant exploration — experimenting, learning, improving without end. A mindset that fuels not only his style, but also the way he interprets contemporary tattoo culture. Eddie represents that new generation that honours tradition while pushing towards rawer, more personal and expressive forms.
In this episode, Adams follows Eddie through his creative process and artistic evolution, offering viewers a privileged insight into the ways tattooing continues to transform through the choices of its artists. The episode is part of a ten-chapter season of Skin Deep, released weekly until December, each one dedicated to a different artist and the cultural context in which they work.
Josh Adams is a documentary filmmaker from Las Vegas who has spent the past 12 years on the road across the world, documenting live entertainment for acts such as Jo Koy, Five Finger Death Punch, Pierce the Veil, After the Burial, Senses Fail, and more. His latest project, Skin Deep, turns its focus towards tattoo artists, seeking to get to know the people who carry the craft forward on a much deeper level — far beyond just their technical abilities or achievements.
YouTube – www.youtube.com/skindeeptattooshow
