Ep. 76 — Brian Barger on Tattooing, Artistic Integrity, Apprenticeships, and Building B-Yond INK
We start this week with news from Clermont County and beyond, including the alleged misuse of law-enforcement databases and Flock license-plate readers by a Florida detective, the latest Children’s Protective Services levy proposal, Clermont County’s new property valuations, and Loveland’s continuing debate over a citywide noise ordinance.
We also cover concerns about an automated license-plate reader near Bridgeway Church, Pierce Township’s moratorium on data-center development, and the arrival of a new 300-foot boat dock for New Richmond’s Liberty Landing riverfront project.
Interview — Brian Barger
Brian Barger, owner of B-Yond INK, joins the show to talk about tattooing, artistic responsibility, building a loyal clientele, and the long road from apprenticeship to owning his own shop.
Brian shares how a difficult period in his life led him toward tattooing. After learning the trade in Cincinnati and working at several shops around Clermont County, he eventually opened B-Yond INK with help from a close friend he originally met as a tattoo client.
The conversation explores the relationships that form between tattoo artists and their clients. Brian explains why word of mouth has shaped much of his business and why some of his closest friendships began with someone sitting down in his tattoo chair.
We discuss the responsibility that comes with creating permanent artwork. Brian does not believe in tattooing anything on anyone simply to make money. He talks about refusing designs he does not feel comfortable executing, recommending other artists when a project falls outside his strengths, and steering younger clients away from face, neck, hand, and other highly visible tattoos they may later regret.
Brian also explains how he works with clients to turn their initial concepts into stronger designs. That includes adapting AI-generated references rather than copying them directly and finding a balance between what the client imagines and what will work as a lasting tattoo.
The conversation moves through Brian’s favorite styles, including black-and-gray work, colorful cartoon-inspired pieces, watercolor effects, and cover-ups. He explains how shading can completely transform a design and why the same tattoo can look very different depending on the artist creating it.
We also discuss the traditions and rules behind American traditional and Japanese tattooing, along with the importance of understanding symbolism, color, placement, and composition before attempting a specialized style.
Brian talks candidly about tattoo pain, long sessions, numbing creams, blood-sugar crashes, scar tissue, aging skin, ink blowouts, and why both the artist and the client need to recognize their physical limits. He recalls one marathon session that lasted from early afternoon until four in the morning and explains why he would never attempt that schedule today.
A major part of the conversation focuses on apprenticeships. Brian describes the work ethic, humility, sanitation training, artistic foundation, and willingness to perform everyday shop duties that aspiring tattoo artists need. He also warns prospective apprentices to research their mentors carefully and avoid shops that exploit, mistreat, or dangerously haze people trying to enter the profession.
B-Yond INK artist Skyler joins the conversation near the end to discuss her move from corporate work into tattooing, her background in painting, and her interest in traditional and black-and-gray illustrative work. She also explains why Brian’s commitment to tattooing and his clients made B-Yond INK the place where she wanted to build the next stage of her career.
And, as one of Clermont County’s most devoted Cincinnati Bengals fans, Brian shares his ultimate professional goal: tattooing a Bengals player and watching his work spread through the locker room. He also confesses to completing one particularly painful assignment—a Kansas City Chiefs tattoo shortly before the Bengals lost in Kansas City.
Links from this episode
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We start this week with news from Clermont County and beyond, including the alleged misuse of law-enforcement databases and Flock license-plate readers by a Florida detective, the latest Children’s Protective Services levy proposal, Clermont County’s new property valuations, and Loveland’s continuing debate over a citywide noise ordinance.
We also cover concerns about an automated license-plate reader near Bridgeway Church, Pierce Township’s moratorium on data-center development, and the arrival of a new 300-foot boat dock for New Richmond’s Liberty Landing riverfront project.
Interview — Brian Barger
Brian Barger, owner of B-Yond INK, joins the show to talk about tattooing, artistic responsibility, building a loyal clientele, and the long road from apprenticeship to owning his own shop.
Brian shares how a difficult period in his life led him toward tattooing. After learning the trade in Cincinnati and working at several shops around Clermont County, he eventually opened B-Yond INK with help from a close friend he originally met as a tattoo client.
The conversation explores the relationships that form between tattoo artists and their clients. Brian explains why word of mouth has shaped much of his business and why some of his closest friendships began with someone sitting down in his tattoo chair.
We discuss the responsibility that comes with creating permanent artwork. Brian does not believe in tattooing anything on anyone simply to make money. He talks about refusing designs he does not feel comfortable executing, recommending other artists when a project falls outside his strengths, and steering younger clients away from face, neck, hand, and other highly visible tattoos they may later regret.
Brian also explains how he works with clients to turn their initial concepts into stronger designs. That includes adapting AI-generated references rather than copying them directly and finding a balance between what the client imagines and what will work as a lasting tattoo.
The conversation moves through Brian’s favorite styles, including black-and-gray work, colorful cartoon-inspired pieces, watercolor effects, and cover-ups. He explains how shading can completely transform a design and why the same tattoo can look very different depending on the artist creating it.
We also discuss the traditions and rules behind American traditional and Japanese tattooing, along with the importance of understanding symbolism, color, placement, and composition before attempting a specialized style.
Brian talks candidly about tattoo pain, long sessions, numbing creams, blood-sugar crashes, scar tissue, aging skin, ink blowouts, and why both the artist and the client need to recognize their physical limits. He recalls one marathon session that lasted from early afternoon until four in the morning and explains why he would never attempt that schedule today.
A major part of the conversation focuses on apprenticeships. Brian describes the work ethic, humility, sanitation training, artistic foundation, and willingness to perform everyday shop duties that aspiring tattoo artists need. He also warns prospective apprentices to research their mentors carefully and avoid shops that exploit, mistreat, or dangerously haze people trying to enter the profession.
B-Yond INK artist Skyler joins the conversation near the end to discuss her move from corporate work into tattooing, her background in painting, and her interest in traditional and black-and-gray illustrative work. She also explains why Brian’s commitment to tattooing and his clients made B-Yond INK the place where she wanted to build the next stage of her career.
And, as one of Clermont County’s most devoted Cincinnati Bengals fans, Brian shares his ultimate professional goal: tattooing a Bengals player and watching his work spread through the locker room. He also confesses to completing one particularly painful assignment—a Kansas City Chiefs tattoo shortly before the Bengals lost in Kansas City.
Links from this episode
- B-Yond INK — Official Website
- B-Yond INK Instagram
- Brian Barger’s Instagram
- Skylar Sheeley's Instagram
- A Florida detective is arrested and fired after allegedly using law-enforcement databases, including the Flock Safety network, for personal searches.
- Clermont County commissioners place a Children’s Protective Services renewal levy on the November 3 ballot.
- The proposed levy would continue an existing tax rather than add a new one.
- Clermont County property values increase by an average of approximately 23% following the county’s six-year reappraisal.
- Homeowners are encouraged to review their updated valuations and challenge them through the Board of Revision when appropriate.
- Loveland continues work on a citywide noise ordinance addressing amplified downtown music, parties, outdoor speakers, vehicle noise, and other recurring disturbances.
- Loveland officials debate whether enforcement should rely on measurable decibel limits or a broader reasonableness standard.
- Bridgeway Church asks officials to relocate an automated license-plate reader positioned near its entrance.
- Pierce Township considers creating guidelines for placing license-plate readers near churches and other sensitive locations.
- Pierce Township’s temporary moratorium on data-center development remains in effect through October 2026.
- Township officials examine water use, electrical demand, equipment noise, generators, pollution, and the potential concentration of data centers near residential areas and the region’s aquifer.
- A new 300-foot dock arrives in New Richmond for the $13.4 million Liberty Landing riverfront project.
- Liberty Landing is expected to add improved river access, walking areas, and public seating when completed.
- Sense of Nature foraging hike and incense-making workshop at Klingman Park
- Yoga in the Park at Sycamore Park
- Milford Farmers Market at Five Points Landing Park
- New Richmond Farmers Market at the River Village Shop
- Dinosaur Encounter at the Williamsburg Library
- Concert at the Cardboard Boat Museum featuring Eric “Big Easy” Penn and Chuck Vogel
- Pierce Township National Night Out at Locust Corner Park
- Union Township Police Night Out at Veterans Memorial Park
- Second Saturday at Hauserman Park
- Ralph Shepherd Concert Series featuring the Williamsburg Band
- New Richmond Farmers Market
If the show brings you value, consider supporting us through your time, talent, or treasure. Visit Let’s Talk Clermont online to subscribe, donate, share a boots-on-the-ground report, or contact the show.
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