Melissa Martell - Tattoo Artist and Owner

I’m Melissa Martell, a queer woman tattooer. I own The Glass Cat, an appointment only tattoo shop in the heart of Cleveland, Ohio at the historic Tiffany Glass Building.

The name, The Glass Cat, is inspired by my fondness for collecting vintage ceramic cat figurines and my appreciation for kitschy things. This aesthetic not only shapes my tattoo style but also resonates in my studio decor.

With a background in graphic design and fine art, along with 10 years of experience in the tattooing industry, I offer a combination of creativity and technical skill in every tattoo I make.

Tattoo Style and Influences

My tattoo style embodies a blend of cuteness, boldness, whimsy, anthropomorphic and geometric elements. I also love making mid-century style tattoos.

Drawing inspiration from 1950s - 70s vintage illustrations, Mexican folk art, and artists such as Mary Blair, I make tattoos with a fusion of vintage aesthetics and contemporary tattooing techniques.

Some subjects I enjoy tattooing include cute creatures, vintage themes, pop culture references, mid-century art, and cats! Lately I’ve also been interested in mixing painterly florals with bold, graphic or abstract elements.

Beyond Tattooing

When I'm not at the studio, you can find me crafting, selling art prints and paintings at local markets.

In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my partner, my cat and my dog. A few of my current interests are thrifting, crafting, weird 80s horror movies (especially on VHS) and the tv show Dragula.

I also try my best to be politically involved, advocating for social justice, the rights of Immigrants, trans, queer people and other marginalized communities.

Find the best tattoo artist for you

To find the ideal tattoo artist who best resonates with your distinctive style, start a conversation and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Visit my contact page.

I tattoo by appointment only at The Glass Cat Tattoo Studio in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and you can occasionally find me at Show Pigeon Tattoo in the City of Orange, CA. I also travel to various cities across the country, most often Orange and Long Beach, CA, Minneapolis and Philadelphia.