I didn’t come to tattooing through a straight line… and I think that matters.
As early as I was old enough to pick up a paintbrush and hit a canvas, I never put it down. Creating has always been a constant in my life, long before I ever imagined tattooing as a profession. Art wasn’t a phase; it was a language I learned early and carried with me.
Before becoming a tattoo artist, my background was in welding and machining. Working with metal taught me precision, patience, and respect for permanent materials. It trained my eye for structure, flow, and how small decisions compound into lasting results. Those lessons became the backbone of how I approach tattooing today.
I was also raised believing tattoos were something to avoid… that they were “bad,” or that they defined poor choices. Life had other plans. The moment I received my first tattoo, something clicked instantly. It wasn’t rebellion; it was recognition. I knew, without hesitation, that this was my path.
I’ve been tattooing for 14 years, though I’m the first to say I’ve only been doing it well for about the last 8. Those early years were spent learning the hard way… refining technique, unlearning shortcuts, studying composition, skin, aging, and restraint. Experience taught me that mastery doesn’t come from time alone, but from humility, curiosity, and the willingness to evolve.
Alongside my tattoo career, I’ve spent over 15 years studying under multiple healing practitioners, learning different modalities focused on self-healing, awareness, and how to hold space for others with intention. That education deeply informs my practice. Tattooing isn’t just about putting ink into skin… it’s about presence, trust, and understanding that every person carries a story, whether they speak it or not.
My approach blends technical discipline with emotional intelligence. I care deeply about how a tattoo fits the body, how it will age, and how it reflects the person wearing it. I see the body as something to collaborate with, not dominate. Placement, flow, contrast, and negative space matter just as much as meaning.
At the heart of my work is honesty… in process, in communication, and in execution. I’m not interested in trends or shortcuts. I care about creating tattoos that feel considered, that fit the body naturally, and that hold up over time. Tattooing didn’t replace who I was before; it brought together everything I had already been learning through art, discipline, and experience.
Hello! I’m Chris Wylie… entrepreneur, husband, father, and craftsman. My work today centers around precision engraving and facial and body piercing, where technical accuracy meets personal expression.
Before stepping fully into creative and studio work, I spent over 20 years in manufacturing and skilled trades, much of that time in leadership roles. That environment built my foundation…discipline, attention to detail, respect for process, and accountability for quality and timelines. Those standards didn’t stay behind when I changed direction…they became the backbone of how I approach both engraving and piercing.
On the engraving side, I specialize in custom work across a wide range of materials and products. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind piece, branded items, or meaningful keepsakes, I work directly with clients to bring their ideas into a clean, well-executed final result. Precision matters, communication matters, and finished quality always comes first.
In piercing, I take a professionalism-first approach focused on proper technique, safe practices, and continued education. I’m proud to provide piercing services as part of True U Tattoo and continually invest time into improving my skill, knowledge, and client experience. Every client is treated with respect, patience, and clear guidance before and after their appointment.
At the core, I’m a builder by nature… of skills, businesses, and relationships. My goal is to create meaningful work, provide reliable service, and grow a studio environment built on trust, craftsmanship, and constant improvement.
Where passion meets precision.