David Staniforth: Black & Gray Storytelling
When you see one of David “Stani” Staniforth’s tattoos, it’s like stepping into a still frame from a story. His black and gray work blends the drama of Renaissance paintings with the depth of a personal memory. It’s rich with detail, layered in meaning, and built to stand the test of time. Stani brings a sculptor’s eye and a storyteller’s heart to Ink & Dagger’s strong lineup of artists.
A Local Artist’s Homecoming
A Georgia native through and through, Stani grew up in the suburbs of Alpharetta and Roswell. In fact, the house he grew up in is just minutes from Ink & Dagger, making his arrival here feel like a homecoming.
His journey into tattooing began in 2014 with an apprenticeship, and by January 2016, he was taking clients as a full-time artist.
Mastery in Black & Gray
Stani’s mastery of black and gray comes from a decade of refining both technique and artistic vision. Using a carefully balanced approach, he blends smooth gradients with bold contrasts, creating work that reads clearly from across the room but is an endless show of intricate details upon close inspection.
From soft, velvety shading that gives skin a luminous quality to crisp, opaque blacks that anchor a design, Stani knows how to control value to make his subjects feel alive.
He adapts his application style to suit the subject—employing traditional, timeless shading techniques for pieces that need a classic feel, or incorporating ultra-fine linework and high-contrast rendering for projects that call for a modern, illustrative touch. His portfolio moves effortlessly between illustrative realism and photorealism, proving that his artistry isn’t confined to one formula.
Influences That Span Centuries
Stani’s inspiration draw heavily from art history—he’s into the Renaissance, Romanesque, and Neoclassical periods, with a bookshelf full of biographies about the great masters: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Jan van Eyck, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt, just to name a few.
Caravaggio, with his moody lighting and unapologetic realism, holds the top spot for favorite painter, while the flowing, intricate sculptures of Gian Lorenzo Bernini are a constant muse. His influences also include Vincent van Gogh, Alphonse Mucha, Norman Rockwell, and contemporary favorites like Aaron Horkey.
Clients Who Value the Process
When it comes to clients, Stani thrives when he’s trusted with the creative process from start to finish. His ideal projects are collaborative in spirit but leave room for his own vision—especially when they involve subjects he loves, like the human form, natural landscapes, animals, or sculptural elements like roses, skulls, and classical statuary.
Life Beyond the Studio
Outside of the studio, Stani’s world revolves around his family—his wife, Ari, and their three kids, Greyson, Iris, and Sofia. Whether he’s spending time with them or diving into art history books, it’s clear his life and his work are both grounded in devotion, craft, and an appreciation for the beauty of lasting things.
Work With Stani
If you’re ready for a tattoo that feels timeless—something as personal as it is masterful—browse Stani’s portfolio and submit a booking request form for a free consultation. Your next piece could be the beginning of your own visual storybook.
