Tattoos and Fine Art | Pittsburgh & Beyond

Welcome to the official website of Jake Steele, an American tattoo artist specializing in black and grey realism, neo-traditional, and anime-inspired tattoos. Jake is the owner and lead artist at Steel City Tattoo Shop, a custom tattoo studio south of Pittsburgh, located in Monessen, PA, proudly serving the Mon Valley and surrounding areas including Belle Vernon, Charleroi, Donora, and Rostraver.

With over a decade of experience tattooing across the United States in top-tier studios, Jake brings a passion for artistic excellence, bold design, and personalized tattooing to his clients. Known for his unique style and attention to detail, Jake has built a nationwide following, attracting clients from across the country to Steel City Tattoo Shop for high-quality, custom tattoo work.

Whether you’re a local looking for your next piece or traveling for a one-of-a-kind tattoo experience, Jake offers a relaxed, professional environment with walk-in availability and appointments seven days a week.

Explore Jake’s portfolio, get inspired by his fine art, and learn more about what makes him one of the most respected tattoo artists in Pennsylvania.

• [Book with Me at Steel City Tattoo Shop] (link to steelcitytattoos.com/book-now)

Meet Jake Steele

My name is Jake Steele — I’m an American tattoo artist, painter, and entrepreneur, born and raised in the working-class town of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. I didn’t come from a big city, an art school scholarship, or a family of creatives. I came from a small corner of the Mon Valley, with nothing but grit, a beat-up sketchbook, and a dream.

After graduating from Belle Vernon Area High School in Rostraver Township, I enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, aiming for a future in medicine. I dove into organic chemistry, trying to fit into a box that never felt right. Eventually, my instincts took over. I walked away from science and leaned fully into my creative passions — music, painting, visual art, and storytelling.

It all shifted the day I got my first tattoo. I didn’t just fall in love with the art — I became obsessed with the culture. Shows like Miami Ink and LA Ink lit a fire in me. I studied every frame, not just for technique but for the spirit behind the needle. In 2011, I knew this was the life I wanted.

I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2014, after grinding through five tough years — scraping by, working manual labor jobs, and creating every chance I could. That same year, I began building my career as a tattoo artist, starting from scratch. No rich clients. No big-name mentors. Just hustle and raw determination.

By early 2016, I had made a name for myself in the Pittsburgh tattoo scene. But I wanted more than a local reputation — I wanted to understand the heart of the global tattoo industry. That hunger eventually led me to the Golden State Tattoo Expo and New York State Tattoo Expo — two monumental events that opened my eyes to the vast world of professional tattooing. They didn’t just inspire me — they changed my life.

In the summer of 2016, I packed my gear and moved to Los Angeles, where I worked at Hidden in LA in Simi Valley, shoulder to shoulder with gifted artists like Brett Herman and Gunnar. It was here I began deeply studying West Coast realism — especially the groundbreaking work of Nikko Hurtado, who remains one of my biggest artistic influences.

It was during this time that I connected with Wade Titus, a phenomenal artist from Southern California. Our paths aligned, and together we began traveling coast to coast — collaborating at major conventions like the Evergreen Tattoo Invitational, Pittsburgh Tattoo Expo, and Bleed Black and Gold. Working alongside Wade and soaking up knowledge from some of the most talented artists in the world shaped my perspective and elevated my craft.

Over the course of a 10-year professional career, I’ve participated in over 30 national and international tattoo conventions, collecting awards, expanding my vision, and pushing the boundaries of what I thought was possible.

Through all of it — every expo, every booth, every challenge — I’ve remained a student of the game. I continue to learn, evolve, and strive to perfect my craft every single day.

After LA, I moved to South Florida, where I continued to evolve my craft in vibrant studios like Aces High Tattoo Shop with countless talent and endless potential and Sunshine State Tattoo with the high work ethic of the Nolan Brothers and friends, I really navigated theThe South Florida scene, with its rich neo-traditional and Asian-inspired artistry, pushed me further. I refined my favorite styles — black and grey realism, anime and cartoon neotraditional, and Japanese-inspired compositions — and brought them to life in my own unique way.

Eventually, I opened my own tattoo studio in Florida — but when COVID hit and zoning issues caused by a shady property group shut it down, I lost everything. I was forced to start over again. I opened a private studio in Delray Beach on Atlantic Avenue, rebuilding from the ground up once more.

In 2024, I came home to Pennsylvania, determined to create something lasting. I opened Steel City Tattoo Shop in Monessen, a studio built not just from ambition — but from years of trials, setbacks, comebacks, and personal growth. It’s not just a tattoo shop — it’s the symbol of my journey.

I’ve gained everything. I’ve lost it. And I’ve rebuilt it with my own two hands — again and again.

I’m driven by gratitude. By love for the craft. And by a mission to become better than I was yesterday. Whether I’m tattooing a local walk-in or a client who’s flown in from across the country, every piece I create is part of something bigger.

Thank you for being part of this story. Let’s create something unforgettable together.