Sean Shea

Hello, Portland! My name is Sean Shea, and I come to Portland via Cape Cod, where I was born and raised—another sea fairing land filled with familiar characters. After high school, I attended Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Illustration. A few years after graduating, I returned to the Cape and started a traditional tattoo apprenticeship at Mooncusser Tattoo in Provincetown. Seven years later it was time for me to change it up a bit—what better place to take the next steps in my career than beautiful Portland?

So, why get tattooed by me? I enjoy making all types of tattoos, from a traditional style to realistic black and grey. In the last few years I have started leaning towards what I like to call, an illustrative black and grey based in realism. There is proper shading and a light source, keeping everything in perspective. The tattoos below are a brief introduction to the style and direction I have recently been headed, but I pride myself on being able to tattoo in most styles, and in color, too. I enjoy getting to build a narrative in a design, and like the combination of working to create an image both you and I am pleased with. So let’s get together, discuss your ideas, and make some tattoos!