Expert Tattoo Artist in Jenison, MI
Tyler Shackelford: Black & Grey Realism Specialist
Meet Tyler, a dedicated artist with over 15 years of experience perfecting a wide range of styles. He brings unparalleled detail and emotional depth to every custom tattoo, from intricate portraits to expansive sleeves. Schedule a consultation to transform your idea into a lasting masterpiece.
"Every tattoo is a unique narrative, and my goal is to craft it with precision, passion, and permanence."
Tattoo Styles & Expertise
Signature Styles: Black & Grey Realism
Tyler’s extensive 15+ years in tattooing is best showcased by his versatile portfolio. He meticulously crafts lifelike portraits, intricate nature scenes, and dark art by employing a mastery of shading, contrast, and texture to create tattoos that truly come alive on the skin.
The Custom Tattoo Process
Expert Guidance and Care From Idea to Art
Tyler believes a truly exceptional tattoo begins with a deep understanding of your ideas. His personalized consultation process ensures every detail, from concept to placement, is perfectly aligned with your expectations, resulting in a unique piece of art that tells your story with unmatched precision.
Tyler's Portfolio
A Showcase of Tyler's Masterpieces
Browse a selection of Tyler's favorite custom projects, highlighting his precision in black and grey realism, portraits, and intricate designs.
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Tattoo Artist Working on Script Lettering | In-Progress Fine Line Tattoo
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
The artistic process in action! Watch as our professional tattoo artist applies the finishing touches to a custom fine line script tattoo on the client's inner arm.
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Realistic Knife and Skull Tattoo | Black and Grey Knives
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A striking piece of black and grey realism, featuring three overlapping chef's knives with skulls reflected in the blades. This design is popular among professionals in the culinary arts or those who appreciate bold dark art tattoos. The highly detailed shading creates an impressive, realistic effect.
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Vertical Gladiolus Flower Spine Tattoo | Outline Botanical Backpiece
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
This striking outline botanical tattoo features the strong, beautiful Gladiolus flower running vertically down the client's spine. Symbolic of strength and grace, this design utilizes clean line work for a dramatic yet elegant backpiece.
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Realistic Black and Grey Skull and Rose Forearm Tattoo | Memento Mori Sleeve
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A breathtaking piece of black and grey realism featuring a detailed human skull seamlessly intertwined with flowing roses. This classic design, symbolizing Memento Mori or the contrast between life and death, uses smooth blending and strong contrast for an unforgettable effect.
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Dark Fairy on Tree Stump Tattoo | Illustrative Black and Grey Nature Spirit
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A deep and evocative black and grey illustrative tattoo featuring a winged nature spirit or fairy resting on a detailed tree stump. This piece uses beautiful shading and strong line work to capture a dark, mystical woodland aesthetic.
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Black and Grey Anchor Tattoo with Quote | Stability and Strength Forearm Ink
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
This impactful black and grey anchor tattoo symbolizes unwavering stability and strength. The design features detailed waves and lightning, surrounding the powerful script: "the Anchor Holds in Spite of the Storm."
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Vibrant Color Flower Bouquet Tattoo | Neo-Traditional Red Floral Forearm
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A bright and cheerful color illustrative bouquet tattoo featuring vibrant reds, pinks, and crisp greens. This piece includes daisies and poppies, making it a perfect birth flower or memorial tattoo. The Neo-Traditional soft color style keeps the design both bold and beautiful.
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Black and Grey Contrasting Trees Landscape Tattoo | Realistic Forest Scene
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A stunning black and grey landscape tattoo showcasing striking contrast: a dense evergreen forest stands next to a detailed, bare deciduous tree. This realistic piece symbolizes the natural cycles and balance in nature, making a powerful statement on the forearm.
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Black and Grey Steer Skull and Floral Vine Tattoo | Illustrative Western Art
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A beautifully detailed black and grey steer skull tattoo adorned with soft, flowing botanical vines and flowers. This illustrative design offers a natural twist on a classic Western or Southwestern aesthetic.
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Purple Watercolor Fairy Silhouette Tattoo | Ethereal Cherry Blossom Ink
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
An enchanting color illustrative tattoo featuring a delicate fairy silhouette perched on a branch of cherry blossoms. The wings and tail pop with vibrant, blended purple and pink watercolor effects, giving the piece a truly ethereal glow.
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Realistic Black and Grey Dog Portrait Tattoo | Mastiff Pet Memorial Forearm
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
An incredibly lifelike black and grey realism pet portrait featuring a beloved dog (Captain) with its name in beautiful cursive script. The smooth, detailed black and grey shading captures the soul and expression, leaving a beautiful, long-lasting memorial honoring their time together.
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Realistic Black and Grey Rose Pocket Watch Memorial Tattoo | Forearm Name and Date
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A classic and heartfelt black and grey realism tattoo featuring a detailed pocket watch adorned with a realistic rose. This piece is personalized with the name "Colson" and the date "01-13-20" on a winding banner.
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Neo-Traditional Skull Gun and Red Rose Tattoo | Black and Grey Filigree Sleeve
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A dynamic Neo-Traditional tattoo blending a realistic skull and an ornate revolver with flowing filigree and waves. The vivid red rose provides a striking color pop to this powerful black and grey design.
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Blackwork Geometric Mountain and Forest Tattoo | Diamond Nature Scene
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
Capture the spirit of adventure with this stunning blackwork geometric tattoo. A detailed mountain landscape featuring craggy peaks, pine trees, and a crescent moon is perfectly framed within a sharp diamond shape.
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Fine Line Floral Clasping Hands Matching Couple Tattoos | Botanical Partnership Ink
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
Celebrate your bond with this beautiful set of fine line matching tattoos. Each design features clasping hands intertwined with delicate botanical flowers and vines, symbolizing support and shared growth.
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Detailed Black and Grey Pine Tree Tattoo | Realistic Evergreen Forearm Ink
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
This striking black and grey realistic pine tree tattoo captures the strength and solitude of the forest. The fine line work and detailed shading bring the texture of the evergreen needles to life.
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Realistic Wolf Portrait Tattoo with Blue Eyes | Black and Grey Forest Half-Sleeve
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A powerful black and grey realism wolf portrait set against a detailed forest and mountain landscape. The piercing, vibrant blue eyes provide a dramatic color pop, creating an intense focal point. This large design symbolizes wilderness, loyalty, and strength.
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Vibrant Color Flamingo Tattoo with Purple Hibiscus | Tropical Neo-Traditional Forearm
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
Bring the tropics to life with this vibrant color Neo-Traditional tattoo! It features a striking pink flamingo paired with a beautiful purple hibiscus flower and lush foliage. The rich colors and soft watercolor accents make this a fun, eye-catching tropical forearm piece.
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Fine Line Cherry Blossom Branch Shoulder Tattoo | Botanical Floral Flow
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
An elegant fine line botanical tattoo featuring a flowing cherry blossom branch. The design uses delicate black outlines and light shading to emphasize the beauty of the flowers as they curve perfectly over the shoulder and clavicle. This piece is a beautiful symbol of renewal and transient beauty.
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Graphic Stitched Smile Tattoo with Heart and Dollar Sign | New School Symbolism
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A bold, high-impact New School graphic tattoo featuring a menacing stitched smile with vibrant symbolic accents: a red heart and a green dollar sign. This graphic style is perfect for those who love bold color block and street art tattoos with strong symbolic meaning (love vs. money, duality).
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Black and Grey Skull Hourglass Tattoo with Crow | Dark Art Memento Mori Bicep
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A powerful piece of dark art featuring a skull hourglass tattoo with a watchful crow perched atop. This intricate black and grey illustrative design symbolizes the passage of time (Memento Mori) and mortality. The skull key adds an element of mystery and depth.
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Minimalist Fine Line Tulip Flower Tattoo | Outline Botanical Forearm Ink
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
This elegant and simple minimalist tattoo features two delicate tulip flowers rendered in clean fine line outlines. The flowing stems create a graceful, vertical look, making it a perfect forearm piece for those who prefer subtle, nature-inspired botanical tattoos.
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Color Squid Ink Splatter Tattoo with Roman Numeral IX | Pop Culture Gaming Ink
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
A fun and vibrant color illustrative tattoo featuring a cartoon squid releasing a splash of purple ink onto the green Roman numeral "IX". This bold, graphic piece is perfect for pop culture and video game fans (especially those familiar with the Splatoon aesthetic).
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Realistic Black and Grey Rose Tattoo with Dew Drops | Smooth Shading Forearm
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
An exquisite black and grey realism rose tattoo that captures the texture and velvety appearance of a flower in full bloom. The design includes highly realistic water droplets (dew drops) created with subtle white ink highlights, giving the piece incredible depth and dimension. This striking forearm realism piece is a timeless symbol of love and beauty.
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Black and Grey Castle Turtle Tattoo | Dark Fantasy World-Bearer Hybrid
Artist: Tyler Shackelford
An intricate black and grey illustrative tattoo featuring a realistic sea turtle carrying a detailed dark fantasy castle on its shell. This unique World-Bearer concept blends natural realism with architectural detail, making a powerful statement on the thigh.
Meet Tyler
The Art of Tattoos: Tyler's Journey & Philosophy
Tyler's journey of over 15 years has seen him evolve into a highly sought-after artist, renowned for his dedication to the intricate demands of realism. His commitment extends beyond just the ink; it’s about a collaborative process that respects the client's vision while delivering a technically superior, emotionally resonant piece of art that will stand the test of time.