Meet Kelson: Specializing in Anime, Pokemon, and Floral Designs

Anyone who has been to Terrarium Tattoo can instantly recognize Kelson's station... and if you haven't been to Terrarium here's a hint: it's the station adorned with Pokemon characters of all shapes and sizes! Anime and gaming have been major influences in his art style and favorite subject matters to tattoo. But his skills don't end there, he enjoys tattooing just about anything form characters to flowers, and of course.. Pokemon! Kelson has been tattooing for almost 9 years, and with us at Terrarium for the past 2 years. So naturally.. it's time for an interview to showcase him and his work. Meet Kelson!

How long have you been tattooing?

I will be Tattooing for 9 years in this coming December 2025.

How did you get into the tattoo industry and become a professional tattooer?

After working in restaurants for about a decade I knew I needed to figure out what I wanted to do with my life outside the food business. I've always drawn and wanted to do something creative, I used to think I would work in Film. (I did a couple of shitty tattoos on my friends ((that 100% shouldn't of let me tattoo them but I'm thankful they let me so I could be where I am now.)) I went around to some of the studios in town asking what it would take to become a tattooer and I was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship at studio called the "Civilized Gypsy", now known as "Dark Matter Collective" in Champaign Illinois.

I had my first professional job tattooing for 2.5 years at "No Regrets" tattoo studio also in Champaign IL. After Covid, I started working at New Life Studios downtown location, this allowed me to have more time and freedom to work with my clients. After another 2.5 years I moved (with my now wife) to Colorado to work at Linden Street Tattoo Co for a year. The walk-in style shop was perfect since I was new to town, but I missed the private, by appointment, atmosphere. That is when I found Terrarium Tattoo and all the wonderful people here! I've had the pleasure to work with them for the last 2 years.

What/who are your biggest influences? What inspires your art style?

I think its obvious but I love Anime and Gaming and it has been a big influence on my tattooing.

Some of my biggest tattoo influences since the beginning of tattooing are @mikedorseytattoo @deadmeat @mikendazzoart @kike.esteras and many many more but these are some of my favorites since the start of my career.   

What are your favorite subject matters to tattoo?

You guessed it Anime and gaming Characters! I also love tattooing Traditional/Japanese and Floral designs My favorite flower to tattoo being Chrysanthemums!!   

What are your favorite/least favorite parts of being a tattoo artist?

My favorite part of being a tattooer is my connection to the community. There are not many things that you can do that can stick with someone for their entire life. Tattoos can help one get over a hard time, celebrate a new milestone or just to make and help you feel like a badass.

One of my least favorite things is people never finishing a design that you poured your heart into, that can be really crushing. I understand life can be hard, its not always easy to finish a design because tattoos are not cheap. Social media is also the bane of my existence! Instagram used to be awesome for tattooing, but now I feel I have to make videos to keep up. It requires so much extra time but it's something I need to put more time into.

Can you share 3 fun facts about you?

• I used to think I would become an actor or work in film.

• I love watching and talking about conspiracy theories (no matter how silly some might seem).

• I just had my fist child, a wonderful baby boy, that is the sweetest most prefect being in the entire world (well right behind my amazing wife that cooked him up for me).

Coffee or tea?

Actually love both of them, I might lean towards tea only because I feel I can drink more of it at a time. 

Usually my rule is coffee in the morning time and maybe hot tea at night.

Cats or dogs?

I actually have 4 dogs and 1 cat in my house (my wife is a vet) but I would have to lean towards dogs. My next dog will be a Pomeranian (but that will be a while). I do think cats are awesome, especially for traveling since they are self sufficient. 4 dogs is always hard to plan for when going anywhere over a day.

No company or bad company?

Definitely no company, time is precious and I would always rather spend it with those I love. I can always work on drawing (or playing games alone) rather then being with people I do not like.

Summer or winter?

Summer wins every time, I don't do any winter activities so I would much rather be out in the sun or on a boat with friends at Horsetooth Reservoir. 

Sweet or savory?

Easy answer, Sushi! The best of all the flavors sweet savory umami! I used to work a sushi restaurant and learned how to make it if you ever need a private sushi chief ;)

Be sure to checkout Kelsons work on his Instagram! To book an appointment you submit a CONTACT FORM through the website OR shoot him a DM through his Intagram. He is now booking custom requests or swing by the studio and pick a design from his flash book!