The artist
Rory Somerville
Image coming soon
@rorystats / San Diego
Rory is a San Diego-based tattoo artist focused on gothic blackwork, dark realism, horror, gothic lettering, and large-scale custom work. He works from Sanctum Tattoo Co. and regularly opens guest dates in Los Angeles and New York City.
Draft — pending approval
This bio is a draft written from Rory's public profile. Rory needs to confirm or rewrite it, along with his studio details, before launch. Nothing about training, years active, awards, or clients has been added.
Approach
- Placement first
- Scale, flow, and the shape of the body decide the composition before any detail is drawn.
- Built by hand
- Much of the blackwork and lettering is drawn freehand on the skin so it moves with the muscle.
- Contrast with discipline
- Heavy black and open skin are used deliberately, so the piece still reads from across a room.
- One project at a time
- Large work is planned as a whole, then built over as many sessions as it needs.
Studio
Rory tattoos out of Sanctum Tattoo Co. in San Diego. The full address and arrival instructions are shared directly once an appointment is confirmed.