He works in an private tattoo studio in Aston (Pennsylvania) and, when he draws, prefers to touch physical surfaces with his hands. Welcome to Michael’s dark and intriguing world…
Michael, how have these years in the world of tattoo art been so far?
I’ve been tattooing for thirteen years now. I started at a shop outside of Philadelphia that gave me a lot of life experience in a short time. Dealing with some quirky coworkers and crazy vagrants off the street meant there was never a dull moment! (laughs) But I’m grateful for it. I moved on to better shops, eventually moving to New York and San Diego before settling back near my hometown in Aston, Pennsylvania.
The last few years have been great for me. I’ve grown artistically and explored a lot in my work.
I had an art show last September with my good friend and fellow tattooer Joe Martin where we displayed about 50 paintings spanning the last five years.
When did the Black-n-Grey style enter your artistic sphere so intensely?
I’ve always felt more comfortable drawing with graphite than with color, but the Black and Grey tattooing happened accidentally (or without my trying). In the beginning of my career, I tried every style. Realism, Biomech, Japanese, etc. I worked with colors a lot, but I always felt more comfortable and confident with Black and Grey. In 2016, when I moved to New York, I worked at ‘Three Kings Tattoo’ in the East Village. I didn’t have a clientele, so I painted flash sheets to show people. It was all the imagery that I wanted to tattoo done in Black and Grey. After about a year, I had tattooed most of the designs and had a lot of new work for my portfolio. This is when it really gained momentum…
Black, disturbing, tending to face the dark side of things, fascinated by death. Would you like to be defined like this when we talk about the dominant subjects of your work?
I don’t aim for any particular look or style. I just draw what I’m interested in or intrigued by, to the best of my ability. Growing up, my dad would draw and paint in front of me and it always looked like magic. He was always drawing dragons, warriors, demons, witches, heavy metal stuff. And he kept comic books around like Batman and Conan the Barbarian. As well as books filled with Frank Frazetta, Gerald Brom and Barry Windsor Smith. I’m sure these influences made a meaningful impact on the work I make today, but I think I would have found my way to the “dark” imagery regardless.
Do you listen to music to get into the creative mood?
Before I look at my phone, the internet, or listen to anything, I draw in silence for an hour or two every morning.
This is when my mind is the clearest and most creative.
Lately, while tattooing, I’ll open my liked songs on Spotify and choose “atmospheric”. It will play Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Air, Public Memory, True Widow and Massive Attack. It’s the perfect energy for a long session.
You can have a time machine and travel to any era and ask a question to a historical figure in the field of tattoo art or an artist in general. Who would you visit and what would you ask them?
I would visit the year 1900. Alphonse Mucha, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, J.C. Leyendecker, John Singer Sargent were all making history. Something must have been in the water. I would probably ask J. C. Leyendecker if I could shadow him for as long as he would let me. Watching him work would be priceless.
Tell me about your workplace located in Pennsylvania. Is yours a private studio?
Yeah, I have a private studio (IG: @michaeljtattoos) located in Aston, Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia. It’s in a stone building that was originally a school house. I’m guessing it’s over 100 years old. It’s a beautiful space full of natural light and plants. It’s a perfect creative space for me and a comfortable environment for my clients.
When will we see you in Europe?
I don’t have any tattoo trips planned at the moment, but I’d love to visit. While I love conventions, they can be a bit taxing, so a guest spot would be preferable. Hopefully next year!
What does the artistic future hold for Michael J. Kelly?
At the moment, I’m the most excited about tattooing that I’ve ever been. I feel that there’s so much untapped potential in our craft. I just want to improve my skills and open myself to exploration and new influences. And have fun doing so.
What goals have you set for 2025 onwards?
At the start of this year, I started drawing more on paper and less on the iPad. The iPad is a great tool and has its place, but I feel that my work has more soul when it’s made with physical tools on a physical surface. This usually necessitates simplifying my work which is something that challenges me but also motivates me. I’d like to do some more large scale work on folks. Big sprawling flowers, crashing waves, large swaths of black.
Is there anything else on the horizon?
Other than that, I’m happy doing what I’m doing now, making tattoos on cool people. Outside of art and tattooing, I focus a lot on wellness. Taking care of my body and mind has been powerful for maintaining enthusiasm for working and growing. I also play drums in a band which is a nice sort of cross-training for art.
And your last famous words are… ?
“The world owes you nothing, but offers you everything.” .It’s a beautiful quote by Ms. Bucci, my high school art teacher.
