From Guest Artist to Resident: Welcome Brian French to Ink & Dagger!

After two successful guest spots, we're excited to announce that Brian French is officially joining the Ink & Dagger team as a full time resident artist this December!

If you've been following along with our guest artist visits this year, Brian French might already be a familiar face. Known for his bold color realism, detailed black-and-grey work, and larger than life compositions, Brian has spent more than two decades refining his craft and bringing his clients' ideas to life.

After visiting Ink & Dagger twice in 2026, Brian is making Roswell his permanent tattooing home, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the team.

A Familiar Face Finds a Permanent Home

Brian first joined us as a guest artist in May 2026, bringing his signature realism and illustrative approach to Ink & Dagger for a week of custom tattoos, new clients, and creative collaboration.

During his visit, Brian worked on a variety of projects, including a large scale color realism piece that showcased his ability to bring depth, dimension, and vibrant detail to the skin.

He returned in September for another guest spot, giving clients another opportunity to experience his work firsthand.

But Brian's connection to Ink & Dagger goes beyond his time in the studio.

Throughout his career, Brian has admired Ink & Dagger founder Russ Abbott, both for his artistry and for the creative environment he's built within the tattoo industry. That respect, combined with Brian's experiences working alongside our artists, made Ink & Dagger a natural fit for the next chapter of his career.

Now, what started as a couple of guest appearances is turning into something much bigger.

Beginning in December, Brian will officially join Ink & Dagger as a full time resident artist.

Over Two Decades of Artistry and Experience

With more than 20 years of tattooing experience, Brian has developed an artistic approach rooted in realism, technical precision, and creative expression.

His work is recognizable for its strong compositions, smooth shading, dimensional details, and ability to capture the personality of a subject. Whether he's creating a vibrant full color portrait or a dramatic black and grey piece, Brian approaches each tattoo with an eye for both artistic impact and longevity.

While realism is at the heart of his work, Brian isn't limited to one subject or style. He enjoys exploring different imagery, combining techniques, and finding creative ways to turn an idea into a tattoo that feels entirely personal.

His inspiration comes from a variety of places, including nature, photography, fine art, and the work of fellow tattoo artists. Even after two decades in the industry, Brian continues to find new ways to challenge himself and grow as an artist.

Exploring Brian's Tattoo Styles

One of the things that makes Brian such an exciting addition to Ink & Dagger is his versatility. His portfolio spans several styles, giving clients plenty of opportunities to collaborate on something unique.

Color Realism

Bold, vibrant, and packed with detail, Brian's color realism tattoos bring subjects to life through rich saturation, smooth blending, and carefully constructed depth.

From realistic portraits and animals to imaginative compositions, his color work combines lifelike details with an artistic approach that makes each piece stand out.

Black & Grey Realism

For clients drawn to a more dramatic or timeless aesthetic, Brian's black and grey realism work uses contrast, shading, and subtle tonal transitions to create dimension without color.

His attention to light, shadow, and texture allows him to capture everything from realistic portraits to detailed natural imagery.

Illustrative Tattoos

Brian's illustrative work brings together the technical foundations of realism with more stylized artistic elements.

These tattoos allow him to experiment with composition, movement, and creative interpretation while maintaining the bold details that define his work.

Pop Culture Tattoos

For collectors looking to celebrate their favorite characters, movies, television shows, or video games, Brian also enjoys bringing pop culture imagery to life.

His combination of realism and illustrative techniques makes him a great fit for character portraits, recognizable scenes, and custom designs inspired by the stories clients love.

Creating Tattoos That Tell a Story

Beyond his technical skills, Brian values the collaborative side of tattooing.

Some of his favorite projects involve large scale custom designs, portraits, nature inspired imagery, and pieces that carry personal meaning for the client.

Rather than simply recreating an image, Brian enjoys working with clients to develop a concept, explore possibilities, and create artwork that reflects their vision.

Whether someone arrives with a fully developed idea or just a few reference images, the creative process is an opportunity to build something together.

For Brian, a great tattoo is more than a technically impressive piece of artwork. It's something that connects with the person wearing it.

That commitment to collaboration and individuality is exactly the kind of approach we value at Ink & Dagger.

A New Chapter at Ink & Dagger

We're always excited to bring artists into the studio who offer something unique, both creatively and personally.

After getting to know Brian during his guest appearances, we're thrilled that he'll be joining us on a permanent basis.

His experience, versatility, and passion for tattooing make him a fantastic addition to our growing team of artists, and we can't wait to see the projects he takes on in the months ahead.

For clients who missed their chance to book with Brian during his guest spots, there's even better news: You won't have to wait for another visit.

Starting this December, Brian will be creating custom tattoos right here at Ink & Dagger in Roswell, Georgia.

Book Your Next Tattoo With Brian French

Have an idea for a bold color realism tattoo, a detailed black and grey portrait, or a custom piece inspired by your favorite character? Brian is ready to help bring it to life.

Booking is now open for Brian's upcoming residency beginning in December 2026.

Explore his portfolio, get inspired, and submit your booking request to start planning your next tattoo.

We're excited to welcome Brian to the Ink & Dagger family, and we can't wait to see what he creates next!

Book Your Tattoo With Brian French