Remaining Steadfast Through Chaos: Jason DePasquale's Journey with Stani

Some tattoos commemorate a moment. Others become part of the way you move through the world.

For Jason DePasquale, what began as the idea of getting a half sleeve quickly transformed into something much bigger. One conversation with Stani, a shared creative vision, and an early concept drawing were all it took to realize this wasn't going to be just another tattoo.

"My initial thought was I would just get a half sleeve," Jason laughs. "Then he showed me the concept we came up with together and I was like, 'I would want this on my entire body.' So it was an easy sell."

That willingness to trust the process became the foundation for a sleeve that blends mythology, classical architecture, sea life, and ornamental design into a single cohesive work of art.

Finding the Right Artist

Jason first discovered Stani through a coworker who had come across his Instagram page. Like many clients, he immediately admired the work, but it wasn't until about a year and a half later after turning 36 that he finally felt ready to begin.

"It took about a year and a half for me to get my head right," he says. "Then I knew it was time."

From their first phone conversation, Jason says the experience felt different.

"We had an initial phone call and talked about ideas. He spent a fair amount of time putting together an initial rendering and emailed me with concepts he'd been working on. He was so easy to work with from the very beginning."

More Than Beautiful Imagery

While the sleeve is packed with incredible detail, every major element serves a purpose.

"The overall theme is really about remaining steadfast in the midst of chaos," Jason explains. "Athena is the centerpiece. She's a reminder to stay calm and remember there are other forces at play that can either support you or push you off track."

Jason also wanted to incorporate his Italian heritage into the design, giving Stani the freedom to build around that foundation.

"I was open to a lot of what Stani came up with."

That artistic freedom paid off.

Even now, after the sleeve is complete, Jason says he constantly notices details he had never seen before.

"I look at it all the time and I still find things I've never noticed. It's like a Where's Waldo? situation."

Trusting The Process

A project of this scale naturally comes with long sessions and difficult areas.

"The inner bicep and right over the clavicle were pretty miserable," Jason admits.

But what stood out was how intentionally Stani approached each appointment.

"He'd work on different sections each day. He wasn't trying to torture me."

That thoughtful pacing made the experience surprisingly comfortable.

"You'd think it would've been miserable to sit through, but there were multiple times I actually fell asleep during sessions."

After more than ten sessions together, Jason says the most exciting part became watching the sleeve slowly come to life.

"It becomes addicting. Once you get started, you just want to see how it takes shape."

The Details That Stand Out

When asked to pick a favorite part of the sleeve, Jason laughs.

"It's so hard."

If he had to choose, it would be Athena's shield.

"It's one of the simpler elements, but he did the entire thing freehand. I thought that was incredibly impressive."

It's a perfect example of what makes large-scale tattooing special. Sometimes it's not the biggest centerpiece that leaves the strongest impression, it's the craftsmanship hidden in the quieter moments.

A Walking Museum

The reactions have been exactly what you'd expect from a sleeve that commands attention.

"I live in Midtown, and I don't think I've taken my dog for a walk once without someone complimenting it."

Perhaps the reaction that meant the most came from his mother.

Before visiting family in New York, Jason joked that he wanted the sleeve finished so it would "look good for Mom." He wasn't sure how she'd react.

Instead, she surprised him.

"She said she loves it. She told me it's like going to a museum."

"And she's an Italian mom," Jason laughs. "So that was a pretty big deal."

Already Planning The Next One

Although this sleeve is complete, Jason already knows it won't be his last project with Stani.

His opposite arm currently has an older half sleeve from another artist, but he's already planning to have it removed to give Stani a clean canvas.

"I just trust Stani's judgment," he says. "We'll probably do something nautical."

That level of trust doesn't happen overnight, it comes from collaboration, communication, and consistently delivering work that exceeds expectations.

Already Planning The Next One

When asked if there was anything else he wanted to share, Jason didn't talk about the artwork.

He talked about the experience.

"You'd think going to a tattoo shop would be kind of cold and no-frills," he says. "But everyone was so welcoming."

Being surrounded by talented artists became part of the experience itself.

"The hospitality is second to none. The snacks were awesome, everyone was incredibly welcoming, and it was just a great experience."

For Jason, the sleeve represents far more than exceptional tattooing. It's a reminder to remain steady through life's chaos, a collaboration with an artist he trusts completely, and a piece of artwork that continues to reveal something new every time he looks at it.

Some tattoos tell a story.

Others keep telling it for years to come.

Fill out a Booking Form to work with Stani.