Painting With Blood with Vincent Castiglia

In this podcast episode, tattooer and fine artist Vincent Castiglia explains how he began using blood as a medium, describing its unique kinetic energy and personal connection. He details the technical process—collecting blood (initially via diabetic lancets), preventing clotting, storing it refrigerated in airtight vials, diluting only with water, and using decomposition stages to control hue and value. Castiglia discusses public reactions, misconceptions, and the spiritual and historical context of blood in art, including cave paintings, and shares commissions using others’ blood. The conversation covers imagination, synchronicity, trauma, Giger’s insight into a painting linked to Castiglia’s near-amputation accident, artistic influences, advice for finding an authentic voice, and closes with commentary on modern tattoo content trends and contact information for his websites and Instagram pages.