Meet Shelby Chesterton | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelby Chesterton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I didn’t have any real plans to be in a creative field. I always had an interest in the arts. I was an artsy kid in school, and enjoyed painting, drawing, ceramics; whatever creative elective I could take, I was into. Realism drawings of people and beloved furry friends was sort of my wheelhouse in my teenage days. Art was always just a hobby for me, though. My real drive was in academics and sports (because being a starving artist wasn’t a real option, duh). I had to choose a real future. So as I got closer to that postsecondary education age, my focus was on the sciences. Biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry were my favorites, and my chosen sport of softball was how I was going to get the scholarships I needed to pursue my college education. Fast forward four years, and I’ve completed my athletic career and gotten that golden ticket that says “Bachelor of Science.”

After my undergrad years, I found myself working in the world of clinical research trials as a research coordinator. I never planned on working in research, and was trying to narrow down a niche in the sciences that matched my passions. I eventually came across a field known as “medical illustration.” Bells rang and light bulbs went off as I learned about this career path that would be a perfect combination of my love for biology and anatomy, with the realism style of life drawing that I was once passionate about as a teenager. To become a medical illustrator I would need to have some science education (check that one off) and a fine art portfolio to submit in an application to the handful of master’s programs that were available. So for two years or so, I worked as a research coordinator and got back to drawing, slowly putting a portfolio together to apply for grad school.

The plot changed after working in healthcare for a couple of years, and I decided that I wasn’t happy with working for other people. I was craving freedom and autonomy, and a break from the tedious 9-5 life. I had started getting tattooed when I was 18, and was always interested in the process behind the art of tattooing. After a frustrating experience with my research job, I finally made that decision to try and make a new life for myself. I took my fine art portfolio that I was curating for grad school and walked across the street to my local tattoo shop, looking for an apprenticeship. Thankfully, I was taken into that shop and my new career and life as a tattoo artist began in 2021. I haven’t looked back since.

What should our readers know about your business?
I take a lot of pride in my efforts to create a welcoming, relaxed environment for my clients. I’ve found that the process of tattooing is quite intimidating for a lot of people. It’s a painful and vulnerable experience that required oodles of trust in someone who’s a total stranger (that’s me, I’m the stranger). I’ve never felt like the old-school shop experience with loud, heavy music and tons of people coming in and out was an environment conducive to easing any anxieties the client may have coming into the experience.

I’ve found that my clients appreciate the calm, quiet space I’ve made for them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved out to Apache Junction in 2023, and have absolutely loved the area and smaller town feel. I moved the the area because I love the Superstition Mountains, so I would be sure to take my besties to some of my favorite trails: Massacre Falls and Peralta Trail are a couple. I haven’t worked up the courage to do the Flatiron trail just yet. My husband is a dirt bike guy, so we’d be sure to go do some trail riding in the desert wells HOV area. Some local eats would be on the list like the Hitching Post and the Handlebar Pub for dinner, and Toast Gio’s for brunch. An absolute must, though, would be Uncle Bear’s for a Debo’s sour double IPA. Good food and fun outdoor activities are my go-to.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe my whole career to the guys over at Permanent Record Ink in Mesa. They took me in as an apprentice and showed me the ropes of tattooing, and have continued to be supportive in my endeavors even after I’ve moved on from that shop. Phil, the shop owner, gave me a place to learn and grow. And Tau, who was who I’d consider my main “mentor” was always kind and encouraging during the start of my career. Even though we have different artistic eyes (he’s mainly a color guy, and I’m a black & gray artist), he was always a helping hand when I needed it. Huge shout out to PRI.

Website: https://sites.google.com/shrefutattoo.com/shrefutattoo/home

Instagram: @shrefu.tattoo