Inked Society

Inked Studios is the partnership and brainchild of Sean Dowdell and Mario Barth — two powerhouses in the tattoo industry. Last fall, the duo opened their third Inked Studios, adding Las Vegas to the mix with their existing Miami and New York City shops.

“Vegas has been so good to both Mario and I for many years,” Dowdell says. “There was a great amount of shared pride that went into the studio. I feel like the industry as a whole has been extremely supportive of what we are trying to accomplish as we scale.”

When Barth and Dowdell purchased the studios, the brand’s creative director had already carefully curated the artists, but that didn’t stop interested artists and piercers from flooding the inboxes of Barth and Dowdell when they announced the opening of their Las Vegas studio.

The brand’s current artists hail from around the world, from Greece to Venezuela, and each shines in their own way. Whether it’s the longevity of their career thus far or the style they offer, the artists at Inked Studios give clients a personalized, high-end, almost-luxury tattooing experience. That “uniform, elevated customer experience,” as Dowdell describes it, can only go so far. It’s the individuals wielding the tattoo machines and piercing instruments that really make a studio stand apart. These are just a few of the tattoo artists at Inked Studios New York City, Miami, and now, Las Vegas.

Tony Vilella

New York City

How does your background come into play in your work?
I was a pupil of Verani Tattoo, a very respected Brazilian artist known for his Japanese/Oriental work. That time gave me a very strong technical base in structure, line discipline, and durability. Later, I moved to São Paulo to study classical art with Paulo Frede, one of the leading names in classical painting in Brazil. Today, that classical background is present in every tattoo I design. I treat the skin like a canvas: I organize the values first, decide where the light is coming from, and build depth and focus just like in a painting. Combined with the technical discipline I learned in Japanese-style tattooing, it allows me to create realism that is not only visually rich but also clear and strong enough to age well over time.

How do you describe your style of realism?
I’m always thinking about how the piece reads from far away as a single image, not just as a collection of details. I design everything with healing and aging in mind, so the tattoo looks powerful not only when it’s fresh, but also years later.

What’s your favorite thing about being a tattoo artist?
Tattooing has given me a lot over the years. Through this craft, I’ve been able to travel, come to the United States, be recognized within the industry, and, most importantly, make a living from art. The best part is still that direct connection between me, the ink, and the skin — being present with the client in that moment and creating something meaningful together. All the recognition is great, but the real joy is in doing the tattoo itself, day after day.

Specialization: Realism, cover-ups, and large-scale projects
Instagram: @thetony_v
Booking contact information: tonyvtattoos.com/bookings

Lena Diamanti

New York City

Your story begins in Greece. Tell us about your mentor and how he helped you realize your potential as a tattoo artist.
George, my husband, saw something in me that I couldn’t see yet. He didn’t know how to tattoo, but he became my mentor in the purest way. He stayed up all night studying techniques, then he translated everything into Greek and taught me. He was the one who pushed me to risk everything for art. He gave me permission to believe in my potential before the world did.

We read that you were the first woman from Greece to receive a U.S. Extraordinary Ability green card due to your tattooing. How did that recognition feel?
It was one of the most intense chapters of my life! To be, as far as I know, the first woman from Greece to receive this recognition for tattooing felt bigger than me. It felt like a win for every artist who was told, “This is not a real job.”

You describe your work as “turning emotions into art.” What does that mean for you and for your clients?
One day, George asked one of my clients in New York, “Why did you choose Lena?” The client answered: “Because she turns emotions into art.” We thought it was beautiful, but then it happened again in Greece and then in another country. Different people, different stories, different backgrounds, but the same sentence. That’s when I realized this is exactly what I do.

What’s the relationship like between you and your clients? How do you approach your sessions?
My clients are partners in a very personal journey. Most of the clients I work with now are big projects that need multiple sessions. This is a gift because the kind of person who is ready for this level of commitment usually doesn’t stay “just a client.” Very often, they become someone I deeply care about and feel connected to.

Specialization: Custom-color realism
Instagram: @lena_diamanti
Booking contact information: lenadiamanti.com/booking

Leo Montanes

Las Vegas

You have been a tattoo artist for almost 30 years. What’s been one of your most memorable sessions or pieces?
I wouldn’t be able to choose one particular piece/session. I would say I have the most fun creating large-scale pieces that include faces and hands, which I find the most expressive.

How would you describe your style of tattooing?
After 20 years of tattooing, I would consider myself a well-rounded artist, but I particularly enjoy tattooing illustrative realism.

What do you enjoy the most about being a tattoo artist?
The interactions with my clients, and I get to do what I love every day.

What does it mean to you to be an Inked Studios artist?
When talking about tattoo studios, it feels great to be part of the most – if not the best – recognized and established name in the industry.

Specialization: Illustrative realism
Instagram: @lmt_customink
Booking contact information: inkedstudios.com/las-vegas/book-now/

Raven

Las Vegas

What was your journey to becoming a tattoo artist?
As a child, I always painted my skin with pens. After graduating from art school and getting a tattoo myself, my interest for the tattoo craft just grew bigger.

What inspired you to be the type of artist you are today?
The interactions with my clients really push me to grow and be better technically and as a person.

Can you tell us about a particular tattoo session that held special meaning for you?
When I got tattooed for the first time.

What do tattoos mean to you?
They’re a very good way to remember or respect anything that has importance.

Specialization: Color realism and black and gray
Instagram: @raven_wood_tattoo
Booking contact information: inkedstudios.com/las-vegas/book-now/

Melanie Borjas

Miami

Tell us about your artistic journey — from Venezuela to Miami.
I was born in Venezuela, where my love for art started very young. The journey to Miami transformed my life. The city gave me new opportunities, new perspectives, and the space to grow creatively. I originally began my career in fashion. Somewhere along the way, tattooing found me, and when it did, everything clicked.

What does being a tattoo artist mean or signify to you?
Tattooing is connection. It’s trust. It’s the moment when someone sits in my chair and opens a little piece of their world so I can turn it into something meaningful. It also represents growth. Tattooing pushed me to evolve, to be patient, to be present, and to truly understand the responsibility that comes with marking someone’s skin.

You describe tattoos as “reflections of memory, identity, and transformation,” and also as “connection, healing, and truth made visible.” Tell us more about that.
Tattoos are pieces of who we are. Every tattoo carries a story. For many people, getting tattooed becomes a moment of connection and healing. It’s a way of bringing something internal into the physical world. They show growth, resilience, and the parts of ourselves we choose to carry forever.

If you’re not in the studio, what are you doing?
I’m usually drawing, designing, or developing ideas for new projects. I love finding ways to translate the energy and storytelling of my tattoos into wearable art. When I’m not creating, I’m recharging — anything that helps me stay grounded and inspired.

Specialization: American traditional, neo-traditional, micro-realism
Instagram: @melanina.ink
Booking contact information: inkedstudios.com/miami/book-now/

Alexander “Axel” Lopez

Miami

What was it like tattooing in Venezuela?
Beginning in Venezuela taught me discipline and resilience. Tattooing there means creating with intention and adaptability. The people I met along the way shaped my vision and helped me grow. Moving to the U.S. refined that path, but Venezuela is where the foundation was forged.

You’ve judged upward of 30 conventions. How has that shaped your perspective as an artist?
Judging so many conventions changed everything. You start noticing nuances — intention, rhythm, cleanliness, technical flow, consistency. It elevates your standards and makes you more responsible about what you reward because that can influence other artists. It made me grow and be even more demanding with myself.

What’s been a particularly memorable session or piece, and why?
Every tattoo leaves something in me. People come and go through my life because of tattooing. Some stay, some move on, but all of them leave a mark. With each person, I learn, reflect, and grow. What makes a session memorable isn’t just the piece, but the story, the moment, the conversation, the energy we share. The human connection is what truly makes a tattoo unforgettable for me.

A lot of your work is done freehand. Why do you prefer that method?
Freehand gives me true freedom and connection. Designing directly on the person allows the tattoo to adapt perfectly to their body’s forms and movement. It’s almost like sculpting on skin. It keeps the art alive, spontaneous, precise, and deeply personal.

Specialization: Black and gray, color, cover-up, realism, restoration
Instagram: @axellopez
Booking contact information: inkedstudios.com/miami/book-now/