Russell Kelley
About Russell
Russell Kelley has spent more than 20 years building a reputation for bold, timeless tattooing rooted in American Traditional and Neo-Traditional design. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Russell combines formal fine arts training with decades of professional tattoo experience, creating work that is built to hold its strength, readability, and impact for years to come. His tattoos are known for their confident linework, rich color palettes, dynamic composition, and classic imagery that respects tradition while embracing a modern edge.
Whether he's designing a classic rose, a custom sleeve, or a large-scale Neo-Traditional piece, Russell approaches every tattoo with the same attention to craftsmanship and artistic integrity that has made him one of Bergen County's most recognizable artists.
Russell is also certified in medical reconstructive tattooing, specializing in restorative areola work. He completed his Advanced Areola Tattooing Certification through the Sauler Institute at Penn Medicine, a leading program recognized for its clinical standards, patient‑centered methodology, and realism‑based techniques.
His approach mirrors the best practices used by top medical‑tattoo specialists: natural color theory, soft‑gradient shading, and anatomical accuracy designed to restore confidence and create lifelike results. Russell’s reconstructive work is performed with the same level of care, privacy, and professionalism found in medical‑aesthetic environments.
Medical tattooing is offered by appointment only to ensure a private, comfortable, and fully dedicated session. Please contact the studio to set up a consultation and schedule private hours for reconstructive or paramedical tattoo services.