Katrina "Kat Tat" Collins is a multi-talented artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and reality TV star. She made history as the first African American woman to own a Beverly Hills tattoo studio, Enigma Tattoo. Kat rose to fame on VH1's "Black Ink Crew: Chicago," showcasing her remarkable skills. Specializing in black and grey tattoos, her versatile style spans from full color to photorealism. Celebrities and clients worldwide flock to her beautiful Beverly Hills studio for her sought-after work.

NYC raised, Draya Penzo is an award winning, highly sought after Tattoo artist currently located in Virginia Beach. A natural born creative, besides tattooing, she is also an experienced painter, fashion designer/seamstress and digital designer. Her talents landed her a spot as a lead cast member on VH1's ''Black Ink Crew'' Season 6 and 7 in Chicago, as well as season 10 in NYC. She is well known for her ability to create realism tattoos that have a three dimensional feel as well as portraits that are seemingly life like. Her 15+ years in the tattoo Industry has made her a well rounded artist, comfortable in taking on many tattoo styles. 

Peace one and all, Ace here, originally from Belize, been living in Chicago since a teenager. Studied architecture and industrial design then transitioned into tattooing. Had a traditional tattoo apprenticeship. I’ve had 10yrs of experience tattooing realism and detail dense designs in melanated skin , perfecting the longevity of healed work and no keloid infections. Been on Black Ink Crew “Chicago” on special occasions. Also apart of the creatives community of Chicago. Let’s have some fun and make art, thanks for reading and doing your research. 

hey guys my name is inkbypnut. If you haven't heard of me I've been tattooing almost 2 decades. I specialize in anime tattoos and putting vibrant color on melanated skin. I don't all forms of pop culture including color realism and Black and gray ink the pop culture realm of course

Self Taught artist out of Los Angeles California. Specialize in Black & grey, anime as well as color.

 I’m TJ Brown, a self-taught tattoo artist with nearly two decades of experience. Based in Chicago, I specialize in anime, pop culture, and portrait tattoos in both color and black & grey. I take pride in creating high-quality tattoos that look amazing on all skin tones, ensuring every piece is as bold and unique as the person wearing it. My goal is to build a community that values creativity, representation, and excellence in ink both in Chicago and beyond.

I love color and a good cover-up challenge! I go by “the witchdoctor” since my art is a form of alternative healing! You can see me tattoo on Netflix - “Tattoo Redo” and I specialize in color on melanated skin. Follow more of my iconic tattoo moments on my IG @miryamlumpini ❤️

Rich always knew art would be the ship he would sail on but he had to find a way to get to the boat. As an accomplished athlete, Rich used sports to further his education and build his business. He attended Wagner College on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts. He got to the boat. 
Sitting with clients for hours while he tattoos them has helped fuel Rich’s curiosity about the social impact his artwork has on people; noting that tattoo sessions in a sense have become therapeutic for many. ‘So many people experience similar problems and hardships, the only thing that differentiates them is how they express themselves.” Says Rich. No matter the medium, Rich’s creative approach is to generalize common issues and concerns that frequent his tattoo sessions. Drawing what seems fit from reality.

From prison garage to downtown LA, my tattoo journey is one of relentless perseverance. Fresh out of incarceration, lost and directionless, I found purpose in tattooing. Working from my mom's garage, I was far from the artist I envisioned. Homeless and struggling, I committed to my craft, quitting my day job. The early days were brutal: long hours, Top Ramen, and the realization that ambition wasn't enough. Failure, a constant in my past, became the enemy. I vowed to succeed.
I immersed myself in the art, drawing constantly, networking, and absorbing every lesson. The grind was relentless, often 15-18 hour days. This led to my first studio, ultimately cut short by another incarceration. Disappointment gnawed at me, but the fire remained.
Moving to downtown LA was a turning point. Armed with hard-won wisdom, I was ready. I opened Sacred Art Studio, reflecting the profound connection between artist and client. Each piece carries a fragment of my journey, a testament to struggles and triumphs. I pour intention into every stroke, pushing creative boundaries, constantly striving for improvement. Tattooing is no longer a job; it's my lifeblood.
Now, after twenty years, I've opened a rebranded Sacred Art Studio in downtown LA. I'm in my prime, and the future burns with possibility. I'm ready to collaborate, creating lasting pieces as meaningful as the journey that brought me here.


My name is Brian Dancy. I've  been tattooing over 10 years. I’m located downtown Wayne Michigan 30 mins away from Detroit. I’ve done everything across the board with tattooing but found a love with doing pop culture and anime tattoos. 

My name is Kayo, a professional tattoo artist with over a decade of experience in the industry. Born in Macon, Georgia, and raised in Fort Valley, my passion for art led me to the world of tattooing in 2010.
I specialize in realism and illustrative styles, as well as cover-ups that transform and elevate my clients expectations.
One of my greatest strengths is working with all skin types, including melanated skin, ensuring that every piece I create is rich in detail, vibrancy, and longevity. My mission is to push artistic boundaries and provide every client with a custom, high-quality tattoo that stands the test of time.
Whether you're looking for a bold new piece, a seamless cover-up, or an intricate design that enhances your natural canvas, I'm here to bring your vision to life. Let's create something unforgettable.


Versatile tattoo artist specializing in Black & Grey realism. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, bringing a creative and dynamic approach to every piece creating one of a kind tattoos. 

Dallas native, Kevin Laroy, is an award-winning celebrity tattoo artist, TV Personality and fashion forerunner who is widely-known for his appearance on Season 8 of VH1's Ink Master, seasons 5 & 6 break-out star for Black Ink Crew NYC and MTV's 'Just Tattoo Of Us' (USA).
Notorious for his photo-realistic portraits and pop-culture inspired pieces, Kevin has almost two decades of tattoo experience under his belt. He's rapidly emerging as a prominent personality & figure of the Black and LGBT community. Kevin's latest project includes him as cast of the very first season of ‘Black Ink Los Angeles’ 2023.

I’ve had a very unconventional way of starting my tattoo career and getting to where I’m at now. With no formal apprenticeship, I’ve taught myself how to tattoo by studying professionals on YouTube and surrounding myself around talented artists that I can continue to learn from. I’m never satisfied and always trying to find ways to level up in the industry.

My beginning days started with me tattooing in my dorm room, mostly tattooing my college basketball teammates that seen my artwork from my classes. My major was business until switching to art my sophomore year. Always loved art, but I also wanted to open some sort of business. When I came home from school after graduating college, I started to take tattooing more seriously. Although I was working in my parent’s basement, I was saving up for a private studio which I got in February 2016. From there I expanded to a large private studio and now I have a multilevel tattoo shop, Gremlins Tattoo Lounge, that houses about 10-12 artists.

I love how tattooing has taken me around the world to show case my talent. Puts me in the same room as some of the most talented artists in the world! I also love how much clients embrace me and give me artistic freedom on their tattoos. They tell me all the time how many compliments they receive on the daily. Brings me joy. 

I love to do tattoo conventions with a travel group I put together with my fellow tattoo artist Jordan. Always competing for the tattoo contests and networking. I’m truly grateful and can’t wait to see what the future has in store.


Adriana (she/her) is an Award Winning Tattoo Artist known for her vibrant color work and highly detailed whimsical pieces on all skin tones. She developped a unique style incorporating realism and illustrative elements to create one of a kind tattoos, custom made to fit each client’s body and tailored to every skin tone. 

As a Queer and Body Positive Female Tattoo Artist, she loves how tattoos help people feel beautiful and reclaim their bodies after trauma which is why she particularly enjoys doing scar cover ups. 

Adriana and her wife Anna opened Evening Star Tattoo in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY where she currently tattoos full time. Please sign up for her Mailing List through her website for all travel updates and last minute availability. 


Lorri “Lady L” Thomas is a fine artist who started her journey into tattooing in 2005. Her favorite styles of tattooing include tribal, watercolor and black/ grey realism but she specializes in cover ups. She has been voted "Detroit's Best Tattoo Artist" for three consecutive years (Michigan Chronicle 2016/2017/2018) and also has been honored by the Detroit Pistons and Crown Royal as Detroit’s Creative “Culture Creator” (2021) and GoDaddy Icons of Detroit (2021).

Lorri is currently based in Detroit, MI at one of the best tattoo shops in the city, Detroit Inkspot. She does travel around the U.S. often tattooing and speaking at tattoo conferences.

World renowned for his unparalleled use of not only color, but also black and grey, in which he creates captivating images that immerse the mind, soul, and body in a fusion of unparalleled realism. His keen eye for detail and refusal to accept anything but the best creates an unsurpassed visual presentation that takes hold of the imagination and leaves the viewer
demanding more. 

Nessie is a tattoo artist and visual artist dedicated to creating beautiful and powerful designs that celebrate individuality. Specializing in portrait work, Nessie expertly works with diverse skin tones, ensuring each piece complements and enhances the natural beauty of the wearer. With a focus on precision and vibrancy, Nessie’s tattoos and artwork are designed to be timeless, making a bold statement while honoring the uniqueness of each client.

var _virtual_index=state.title;return _virtual_index

Text

A carefully curated list of top artists specializing in melanated skin, selected by Kevin Laroy, an accomplished artist and trusted expert in the tattoo industry.

Top Artists Specializing in Melanated Skin

About the List

About Kevin Laroy

Artist Application

About the List

About Kevin Laroy

Kat Tat

Draya Penzo

Ace Of Zenith

Pnut No EA

Deshay Jones

TJ Brown

Miryam Lumpini

Richard "Made Rich" Parker

Adrian Lee

Brian Dancy

Kayo “Kaytovenn” Hall

Kilo Grams

Artist Application

How To Find the Right Tattoo Artist In 6 Easy Steps

From Fine Lines to Bold Statements: Tattooing Today

10 Artists Bringing Anime Tattoos to Life

Representation in Tattooing—Kevin Laroy and the Artists Leading the Way

The Beauty of Floral and Botanical Tattoos

10 3D Tattoo Artists You Should Know

The Roots and Aesthetics of Cybersigilism Tattoos

8 Cybersigilism Tattoo Artists You Should Know

The Aesthetics and Themes of Traditional Tattoos

Contemporary Hyperrealism: 3D Tattoos