Mike McWilliams is a tattoo artist at Black Oak Tattoo in Fort Collins who primarily focuses on Neo-Traditional tattooing, in both black & grey and color, along with illustrative work. His work is known for smooth shading, seamless color blends, and interesting linework using a mix of line weights to create depth and detail.

Mike especially enjoys tattooing animals, florals, foliage, and other organic subject matter. Animals are his favorite subject to tattoo, and he enjoys the creative freedom that comes with organic imagery. These elements can be drawn and adapted in different ways to fit the body, allowing each tattoo to flow naturally with its placement while still feeling unique.

He especially enjoys larger projects, including full thigh pieces, sleeves, and back pieces, but is just as happy taking on smaller, palm-sized designs. Mike prefers creating custom tattoos and his own pre-drawn flash, where he can take a creative and detail-oriented approach to the design.

His goal is to create tattoos that are interesting and appealing from the first look while including enough thoughtful detail that the person wearing the piece can continue noticing new things in it years later.

Art has been a major part of Mike’s life for as long as he can remember, whether drawing with his brother growing up or playing in a band. Tattooing gives him another way to continue creating art while doing something he loves: bringing his clients’ ideas to life.