Senior Artist

Sam Kessler

Working since 2015
Signature Bold blackwork · Hip & thigh compositions
Home shop Bang Bang NYC
Waitlist 8-10 weeks
Would Rebook
92%

The percentage of verified clients who said they'd sit for Sam again.

174 Verified reviews
4.8 Line integrity @ 5y
4.6 Color retention @ 5y
Selected Work

Ten years, healed and holding.

Every image below is a real client, taken at least six months post-sitting. No fresh wipes.

Bold blackwork mandala · thigh 6 Months Healed
Blackwork detail 1 Year Healed
Blackwork aged 5+ Years Healed
Bold blackwork detail 3 Years Healed
Full blackwork composition 5 Years Healed
Ornamental blackwork 1 Year Healed · Client: L. Marsh
The Heal Timeline

The same tattoo, five years apart.

Every artist looks great fresh. The ones you want to book are the ones whose work holds up.

1 Month
6 Months
3 Years
5+ Years

Sam's pieces are about negative space as much as ink. Hips and thighs are the placement where black density has to be perfect — over-packed and it blows out, under-packed and it fades. He hits the middle.

A Verified Client
The mandala took two sittings and I bruised for a week. But five years in the density is exactly what he promised, and the negative space still reads. He was right about everything he warned me about.
R. Halvard · 5 years healed · Blackwork mandala
Booking is by consult only

Ready to sit for Sam?