Episode 2 – Sergey Fedotov: The Road to Rugged Ramblers

Life Beyond Ink – A Documentary Series by Inked Abroad and Michael Corman

In this episode, Life Beyond Ink follows the remarkable path of Sergey Fedotov, a Moscow-born artist who found freedom and identity on the open roads of America. What began as a leap across continents became a pilgrimage of self-discovery—one sketched out mile by mile in his visual journal, Highway Notes.

Driving a retro van through forgotten highways and race tracks, Sergey documented the pulse of the country—the people, the grit, and the beauty found between destinations. His travels eventually led him to Portland, Oregon, where his creative journey took root. There, among engines and ink, Sergey built a new home, a circle of artists, and a collection of tattoo works known as the Rugged Ramblers—an ode to movement, rebellion, and the human stories that unfold when you chase the road instead of the map.

We filmed Sergey at the Toutle Race Track in Toutle, Washington, deep in the woods under the heavy August heat. Engines roared through the pines, dust rose off the track, and the spirit of the road—the same one that shaped his art—was alive all around him.

The Rugged Ramblers Story (by Sergey Fedotov)

Once upon a time in a world full of untamed adventures and open roads there was a man named Sergey. He felt life so deeply he couldn’t keep Rugged Ramblers’ story bottled up. Gathered around a campfire, he would share it again. A story that reminds us life’s messy, beautiful, and worth every mile.

By day with pockets full of hard earned cash, their tanks filled full to the brim with gasoline, and ol’ trusty revolver hanging from their belts—Rugged Ramblers riding open roads, the wind in their hair, and wild horses that ran alongside them, chasing that darn elusive freedom, leaving scars of fight, kicking up dust in the world that seems too clean. And by night gathered around a campfire, Rugged Ramblers sing songs of love and loss, of whisky nights and dusty roads, of dreams chased and lost. They’ve bucked the system, challenged norms, and sung from hearts.

Rugged Ramblers with their calloused hands and weathered faces are embodiment of the outlaw spirit. They’ve worked the fields, driven long haul trucks, stood under the open sky contemplating life decisions. Even spending 90 days at a hard rock jail they knew that true freedom came at a price. They’ve walked the hard roads and paid the price, but they’ve never lost sight of who they are. Rugged Ramblers within them burning desire to live life on their own terms. These folks who carve their stories into the heart of land with every step they take.

Rugged Ramblers’ story echo the struggles and triumphs of the common man, resonating with anyone who’s ever faced hard times and come out the other side, a little wiser and a little tougher. Let this story of Rugged Ramblers inspire you to walk your own path no matter where it leads and stand so tall, sing loud and never back down. A reminder of the untamed Rugged Rambler spirit that lives in each of us.

The Murray Brothers: Tattoos for the Grim Hearted

Ryan and Matthew Murray are identical twin brothers who have become icons in Salem, Massachusetts, a city forever marked by the infamous witch trials of 1692. Co-owners of Black Veil Studio, these tattoo artists have built their careers and their art around the dark history and supernatural atmosphere that defines their hometown.

The Murray brothers' family roots trace back to Salem Village in the mid-1600s, connecting them directly to the area's history. Growing up in this environment shaped everything about their artistic vision. Since childhood, they've been drawn to the darker side of things: grim fairy tales, Victorian-era death and mourning etiquette, New England folklore, and the macabre energy that permeates Salem's streets.

Specializing exclusively in black and gray work, the brothers describe their style as "for the grim hearted." Their artwork is steeped in the history of Salem, blending the city's witch trial legacy with Victorian aesthetics and supernatural imagery. Every piece they create carries the weight of New England's haunted past, and their signature (a black widow spider) appears in every tattoo, symbolizing the inseparable bond between the brothers.

Ryan began tattooing in 2009, while Matthew initially pursued film at Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. But the pull of working together was too strong. Matthew apprenticed with Ryan while still in school, and in April 2012, they opened Black Veil Studio. Since then, they've become fixtures in Salem's creative community, hosting the annual Salem Night Faire at Pioneer Village and running their metaphysical shop, the Black Veil Shoppe of Drear & Wonder.

Salem, Massachusetts is one of America's most haunted cities. In 1692, mass hysteria swept through the community, resulting in over 200 people being accused of witchcraft and 20 innocent people being executed. The witch trials remain a defining example of injustice in American history, and the city's dark past has never been forgotten. Today, Salem embraces its haunted heritage while honoring the victims of that tragic chapter.

For the Murray brothers, Salem isn't just their home. It's their muse, their history, and the foundation of everything they create.

Life Beyond Ink takes you inside their world. Watch as Dakota Weik and Michael Corman spend time with Ryan and Matthew in Salem, exploring how the city's dark history shaped their art, their philosophy, and their bond as twin brothers working side by side every day.

This is their story. This is Salem. This is Life Beyond Ink.

We hope you enjoy!