Dustin Messer

@tattoos_by_dustin · Tattoo artist

Dustin Messer is a tattoo artist in Arlington, Va whose work centres on realism. Of the 86 pieces on Perspectiv, 45 are realism, and no other style appears often enough to count. Roughly 60% of the work is black and grey and the remainder is in colour, most often coral, burgundy and olive. Recurring subjects include wolf, rose, skull and staircase. Most pieces sit on the forearm or the upper arm. 66 of the pieces are shown healed rather than fresh. Portfolio last updated August 2026.

Styles

Colour

Mostly black and grey, colour in 40% of pieces, measured across 86 segmented pieces.

Recurring colours: coral, burgundy and olive.

What they tattoo

Subjects: wolf, rose, skull, staircase, mountains and flowers.

Usually on the forearm, the upper arm and the back.

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Work

Floral arrangement black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserRose and floral arrangement realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserFloral bouquet black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserWindmill black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserBird and banner American traditional tattoo on the neck by Dustin MesserFrog and lotus realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserWanted poster black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserForest scene realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserWolf realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserAlien creature American traditional tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserFloral arrangement black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserAngry bear realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserStaircase and gate realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserInsect smoking hookah new school tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserRose and cross realism tattoo on the hand by Dustin MesserAnchor American traditional tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserStaircase and clouds black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserStatue realism tattoo on the shoulder by Dustin MesserForest scene realism tattoo on the back by Dustin MesserForest wildlife realism tattoo on the back by Dustin MesserStar black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserCowboy skeleton black and grey tattoo on the forearm by Dustin MesserGod-like figure realism tattoo on the upper arm by Dustin MesserForest scene realism tattoo on the forearm by Dustin Messer