For years, the tattoo industry overlooked the specific needs of Black clients. Today, these nine Black tattoo artists are addressing that gap with designs tailored for deeper skin tones, showing that melanin-rich skin is not a barrier to quality tattoo art.
Miya Bailey
Miya Bailey is a veteran tattoo artist based in Atlanta with more than 30 years of experience. He co-founded City of Ink and Peters Street Station, where he merges tattooing with visual arts, mentoring, and exhibitions. Bailey is recognized for his early and continued focus on applying color tattoos to darker skin. His work supports the next generation of Black artists and documents Black tattoo history, including through his 2012 film Color Outside the Lines.
Doreen Garner
Philadelphia-based Doreen Garner brings together tattooing, sculpture, and performance art. Her private sessions and pop-up events often incorporate hyperrealism and cultural themes. Garner’s ability to bridge fine art and tattooing makes her a trusted name among Black clients seeking both technical skill and cultural relevance.
Kevin Laroy
Kevin Laroy, based in Los Angeles, focuses on hyper-realistic portraits and fine-line tattoos. Known for his detailed shading and lifelike textures, Laroy’s work enhances the richness of melanin-rich skin and reflects his dedication to custom design in private studio settings.
Sherod Davis
Sherod Davis runs Misfit Tattoo Society in Richmond, Virginia—the city’s only Black-owned tattoo shop. His black and gray tattoos often incorporate cultural symbolism and storytelling. Davis promotes visibility and representation through both his art and business presence in a historically limited industry.
Quinten Harper
Operating from Bloodline Dynasty in Detroit, Quinten Harper brings over 16 years of experience to his craft. He creates large black and gray tattoos, adding color where needed. Harper’s thick lines and precise contrast techniques are well-suited for deeper skin tones.
Nychelle Elise Grant
In Lewisville, Texas, Nychelle Elise Grant owns a studio that integrates realism with floral and geometric motifs. As one of the few Black women studio owners in North Dallas, she brings depth and individuality to her work through layered patterns and attention to detail.
Quan
Quan is a self-taught tattoo artist in Portland, Oregon, practicing traditional blackwork at Anatomy Tattoo. His style features bold lines and clean drafting that pair effectively with darker complexions, creating work that balances contrast with clarity.
Lesly StClou
With over two decades in tattooing, Lesly StClou is based in Tampa and frequently works in cities like Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans. He specializes in scar cover-ups and design transformations. His approach helps clients reshape older tattoos or integrate scars into new artwork.
Byron Lofton
Houston’s Byron Lofton founded 290Ink, where he focuses on high-contrast blackwork and detailed memorial and portrait tattoos. His consistent attention to shading and meaning ensures that each design remains visually strong and culturally grounded over time.
