Delano Yepes

Delano’s journey into body art began on canvas. Originally working as a traditional painter, he found himself searching for a more sustainable way to earn a living while keeping his devotion to creating art completely intact. When a close connection suggested he give tattooing a shot, he decided to take the leap, and he has simply never looked back.

While he briefly stepped into a formal apprenticeship back in 2013, he ultimately took an unconventional path and did not complete it. Instead, he forged his own way forward, honing his craft independently. He has been tattooing professionally since 2014, but he truly accelerated his commitment to the craft over the last eight years, treating every project as an intentional investment in his client's personal narrative.

Delano prides himself on ultimate versatility, refusing to be boxed into a single genre. His absolute strong suits span across vibrant color, cartoon and anime designs, solid black and gray, and intricate illustrative work. Heavily inspired by his upbringing and creative roots in New York, he constantly channels that raw urban vibe and street art flare into his custom designs whenever possible. He also heavily specializes in dynamic paint-splash work, which beautifully mirrors a free-flowing watercolor aesthetic.

At the very core of Delano's artistic philosophy are intention and deep understanding. He approaches every piece by putting himself entirely in his clients' shoes, seamlessly blending different influences and technical styles to craft something that feels intensely personal, fresh, and elevated. His creative drive is deeply inspired by his roots and, above all, by his daughter. His artistic eye has also been shaped by an eclectic mix of global talent, counting creators like Andreas Rahbek, Mashkow, Fekete Dorina, and Almendra Bertoni among his many influences.

Innovation often requires stepping into the unknown, and Delano points to a specific giraffe tattoo as a major milestone in his career. It was the first time he truly challenged himself to step far outside of his comfort zone, resulting in a project he remains incredibly proud of. Over the years, his craft has granted him some unforgettable experiences, including a memorable opportunity to hang out with his favorite member of the legendary hip-hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. When it comes to the industry's moving parts, he stays open-minded; while he doesn't outright dislike any particular style, cyber sigilism sits at the top of his list of least favorite trends if he has to choose.

When he isn’t in the studio pushing the boundaries of custom body art, Delano is deeply dedicated to his personal lifestyle. He has been a committed vegan for the last ten years—a fact that catches most people by surprise. Outside of work, you will almost always find him painting, developing new art projects, immersing himself in nature, or enjoying quality time with his family.