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Clay Given Tattoos
[ ARCHIVE_CG / 001 ]BOS · 42.3601° N

Boston · Custom tattooing

White ornamental linework emblem over a dark forest backgroundREF_IMG.000

Clay Given

Boston based blackwork tattoo artist.

Clay Given — 7 years tattooing. Custom ornamental, blackwork, black and grey realism, and fine line work drawn for the body in Boston.

Discuss your tattooArchive [→]

Selected work

Recent tattoos

Full portfolio
  • Black and grey chest tattoo of a haloed Madonna portrait with radiating linework.REF_001

    Madonna chest piece

    Ornamental Realism · Centre chest

    A centred portrait with paired graphic motifs on either collarbone, balanced across the chest.

  • Fineline tattoo of a veiled figure above an ornamental diamond motif, running down the inner forearm.REF_002

    Veiled figure with ornamental drop

    Ornamental Realism · Inner forearm

    A softly rendered figure framed by a fine ornamental column, drawn to run with the length of the forearm.

  • Black and grey realism tattoo of a doberman holding a pistol, tattooed on the ribs.REF_003

    Doberman with pistol

    Ornamental Realism · Ribs

    High-contrast black and grey rendering placed to sit with the curve of the ribs.

  • Black and grey tattoo of a seated figure balanced on the blade of a scythe, on the upper arm.REF_004

    Figure on a scythe

    Ornamental Realism · Upper arm

    Smooth grey shading against a solid black scythe — a composition built around the shape of the bicep.

  • Black and grey realism tattoo of a classical Medusa bust with serpents, on the lower leg.REF_005

    Medusa bust

    Ornamental Realism · Lower leg

    Classical statuary translated into finely stippled black and grey.

  • Tattoo of a realistic crying eye held open by a black mechanical clamp, on the forearm.REF_006

    Boltcutters

    Ornamental Realism · BLACK & GREY REALISM · FOREARM

    A surreal object study — realistic rendering paired with hard graphic blacks.

  • Full arm of high contrast ornamental blackwork tattoos spaced along the forearm and bicep.REF_007

    Ornamental blackwork sleeve

    Ornamental Realism · Full arm

    Separate pieces mapped and spaced across the arm so they read as one collection rather than a crowd.

  • Large black and grey back tattoo of a dense figurative scene with banners and lettering.REF_008

    Large-scale back piece

    Ornamental Realism · Full back

    A multi-session composition designed around the shoulders and spine. Letting and cross done by another artist.

  • Tattoo of realistically shaded fanged lips with solid black ink dripping downward, on the leg.REF_009

    Fanged lips, dripping black

    Ornamental Realism · Leg

    Soft grey rendering interrupted by a heavy pour of solid black.

Three directions

What I focus on

Blackwork

Large scale, high contrast abstract and ornamental designs in solid black — built to sit with the shape of the body rather than sit on top of it.

Blackwork tattoos →

Ornamental realism

Blackwork realism and black and grey realism — saturated black ink worked into ornamental pattern, geometric structure and finely rendered figures.

Ornamental realism →

Fineline

Fine line work executed with close attention to detail and technique. Work that ornaments the body without overpowering it — floral, ornamental, script.

Fineline tattoos →

Approach

Quality craftsmanship

Precise, timeless, elegant and contemporary tattooing.

I call what I do blackwork as an umbrella term. My interests in tattooing are multifaceted and wide ranging — from deconstructed, high contrast blackwork through to exceptionally smooth and finely rendered black and grey realism.

I like designing directly on the body, and I'm most interested in substantial custom projects where the composition is planned for the person wearing it.

Read more about my approach →

Booking

How it works

  1. 01

    Send an inquiry with your idea, placement and approximate size.

  2. 02

    We talk through the direction, and I recommend the appointment format and an estimate based on the design, size, placement and complexity.

  3. 03

    Once we've agreed the direction, we book the session and I design for it.

Rates are $200 / hour and $1,200 / full day. See booking and pricing.

Location

Boston

I tattoo in Boston and work with clients from across Greater Boston. The exact address and arrival details are shared privately once your appointment is confirmed.

[ TRANSMISSION_REQUEST ]

Let's talk about your tattoo.

Tell me the idea, the placement and roughly how much room you have. I'll come back with a direction, a format and an estimate.

Discuss your tattooDM @93cicatrix