Chel Mattson is an artist, tattooist, and storyteller with a passion for blending the beautiful and the eerie. Their work is rooted in illustrative blackwork with slight abstractions and a sketchy style, bringing a distinct, bold energy to every piece they create. Drawing inspiration from movies, nature, and animals, Chel’s designs often contrast pretty, delicate elements with creepy, unsettling undertones.

Custom Tattoos

Custom pieces are at the heart of Chel’s work. Every design begins as a collaboration, starting with a conversation—either in person or over text—to understand the client’s vision. Chel provides sketches to refine and narrow down concepts, ensuring the final design captures the client’s ideas. They view custom tattoos as the client’s artwork, not their own, and are dedicated to guiding and supporting clients through the creative process until they are completely satisfied.

Primarily working with graphite, Chel translates the raw energy of pencil sketches into stunning tattoo designs. Their ultimate goal is to make the experience stress-free, simple, and safe—a collaborative journey that leaves clients with art they’ll love for a lifetime.

Murals and Transformative Spaces

In addition to tattooing, Chel offers mural services that can completely transform any space. With experience working on a variety of surfaces and substrates, they create large-scale designs that bring walls to life. Chel’s mural work often features human or animal-oriented themes, blending bold visuals with imaginative storytelling. For 2.5 years, they owned a painting company called Painting the Great Lakes, where they honed their skills in large-scale art and spatial design. Whether it’s a personal space, a business, or a community project, Chel excels at turning visions into reality.

Artistic Journey

Chel studied sculpture at MCAD, gaining hands-on experience in steel fabrication, mold making, casting, woodworking, and plaster work. After MCAD, their focus shifted to 3D art, working with Blender and Unreal Engine. This period sparked the creation of Dreadful Wake, an ongoing worldbuilding project that continues to influence their artistic direction. Over time, elements of this surreal universe have begun to seep into their tattoo work, with its influence expected to grow further in the future.

Beyond Tattooing

Outside of designing tattoos and murals, Chel explores other creative pursuits. Currently teaching themselves guitar, they are diving into the rhythms and melodies that inspire another facet of their artistic life. These varied interests enrich their creative work, adding depth and dimension to every project they undertake.

Collaboration and Creation

Whether seeking a custom tattoo, a transformative mural, insight into Chel’s work on Dreadful Wake, or a connection through shared artistic passions, Chel Mattson is dedicated to sharing their journey and crafting extraordinary art. Together, clients and Chel can create something truly unique and inspiring.