HARRIS TRAN

Black & Grey and Realism

@harris.recycle

Recent Award | OC Tattoo Convention
2nd Place Best Realism

Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my teachers and professors encouraged me to develop my skills, and during my time at university, I really focused on fine art. At first, I thought I’d end up as a traditional fine artist, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t the right fit. I wanted to create art that felt dark, powerful, and raw—heavily inspired by dark fantasy manga and video games. That’s when it clicked: tattooing was the path I needed to follow.

My tattoo journey started when a friend introduced me to the craft. From the beginning, I put my own spin on every design I worked on. But after a while, I realized I wanted to grow even more and take my skills to the next level. That’s when I found the Recycle Tattoo team.

Being part of this team isn’t just about work—it’s about collaboration, shared passion, and building respect within the tattoo community. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who push me to improve every day. I’m so excited to keep growing, learning, and seeing where this journey takes me next.

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Gallery

Custom Blackwork Tiger and Sword tattoo on the side torso. This dark illustrative piece features stylized Japanese-inspired clouds and bold line work. Expertly crafted at Recycle Tattoo in Garden Grove, CA, specializing in high-contrast black ink des
Detailed black and gray angel sleeve by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This custom piece features a praying angel with a hummingbird accent. Explore Harris’s illustrative portfolio at our Garden Grove studio.
Versatile black and gray tattoo collage by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This selection showcases Harris's range from anime style characters to realistic portraiture of Jesus and detailed fine line woman and dog portraits.
"Professional black and gray tattoo sleeves by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This collection features a tiger and clock design, a Spartan helmet with a wolf, and a fine line woman and bird portrait. High-detail illustrative work in Garden Grove."
Realistic black and gray praying Virgin Marry tattoo on the upper arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This piece features a detailed portrait with a rosary and fine shading, showcasing Harris's expertise in religious realism and custom gray wash in Gard
Realistic black and gray portrait of a woman with three Doberman Pinschers by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This high-detail chest and shoulder piece showcases fine line realism and custom dog portraiture in Garden Grove.
Realistic black and gray Jesus Christ tattoo featuring a crown of thorns and decorative religious background patterns by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. Expertly shaded portraiture and sacred iconography crafted in Garden Grove.
Custom black and gray Ninja Turtles tattoo sleeve on arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This detailed piece features classic action poses of Donatello with a staff, Michelangelo, and Raphael with a sword. High-contrast illustrative work in Garden Grove
Detailed black and gray religious forearm tattoo by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This custom composition features praying hands with prayer beads, a soaring dove, and a realistic rose. High-contrast fine line work and gray wash shading in Garden Grove.
Powerful black and gray biblical scene tattoo on the upper arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This high-detail piece features a muscular guardian angel protecting a distressed child, showcasing dramatic shading and realism in Garden Grove.
Detailed black and gray coiled snake tattoo on the forearm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This custom design features realistic scales and a twisting movement that flows around the arm, showcasing precision line work and shading in Garden Grove.
Realistic black and gray Medusa tattoo on the upper arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This custom piece features a detailed face and flowing hair, showcasing intricate shading and illustrative realism in Garden Grove.
Powerful black and gray roaring lion tattoo with a detailed crown on the upper arm and shoulder by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This high-detail piece features realistic fur textures and dramatic shading, showcasing custom animal realism in Garden Grove
Custom black and gray Spartan helmet and snarling wolf tattoo on the forearm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This high-contrast piece blends warrior iconography with animal realism, featuring detailed textures and bold shading in Garden Grove.
Intricate black and gray ancient warrior helmets tattoo on the upper arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This custom design features two detailed masks with feathered crests and ornamental patterns, highlighting expert shading and historical illustrativ
Custom black and gray tattoo sleeve by Harris at Recycle Tattoo, depicting a realistic woman’s face, a dove in flight, an angel with large wings, and a sailboat carrying an angelic figure. A detailed composition showcasing dramatic shading and illust
Dramatic black and gray fallen angel tattoo by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This detailed piece features an angel in a classic pose of despair with large, intricate wings and heavy shading, showcasing custom illustrative realism in Garden Grove.
Realistic black and gray portrait of Jesus Christ with a crown of thorns on the arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. The design features meaningful Arabic or Persian script calligraphy above the portrait, blending sacred iconography with custom lettering
Custom black and gray Dragon Ball Z tattoo on the thigh by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This detailed piece captures Goku and Vegeta in dynamic fighting poses, showcasing fine line work and shading in Garden Grove.
Intricate black and gray mythological warrior tattoo by Harris at Recycle Tattoo, featuring a classical helmet and a detailed horse's head. This custom composition showcases high-contrast shading and fine illustrative detail, expertly crafted in Gard
Detailed black and gray eagle tattoo with a large full moon in the background, spanning the upper arm and shoulder by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This piece features realistic feather textures and high-contrast shading, showcasing custom wildlife reali
Realistic black and gray forearm tattoo by Harris at Recycle Tattoo, featuring a fierce tiger's face, a detailed pocket watch with exposed gears, and a soft rose. This custom composition blends animal realism with mechanical and floral elements, show
Powerful black and gray dragon tattoo winding across the upper arm and shoulder by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This custom piece features intricate scale work, flowing movement, and dramatic shading, showcasing high-contrast illustrative realism in Gar
Graceful black and gray classical statue tattoo on the forearm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. The design depicts a draped female figure with her head bowed in a contemplative pose, featuring smooth stone-like textures and soft shading in Garden Grove.
Dynamic black and gray tattoo on the arm by Harris at Recycle Tattoo, featuring an angelic warrior in mid-battle against a fierce dragon. This high-detail piece captures the warrior wielding a sword and shield with intricate wing textures and dramati
Classical black and gray angel tattoo on chest by Harris at Recycle Tattoo. This powerful design features an angel with detailed wings, holding a sword and a broken chain to symbolize freedom. Custom religious and fine line work in Garden Grove.
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What Clients Love about Harris

Master of Fine Line Work & Custom Realism

"I’ve been getting tattooed by Harris for about three years now, and I honestly can’t say enough good things about him or the shop. His realism and line work are incredible, and every piece he’s done for me has exceeded my expectations."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

— Reviewer on Google

Growth as a High-Quality Custom Artist

"Watching him grow and evolve as an artist over the years has been really exciting, and it genuinely makes me look forward to getting more work done by him in the future. If you’re looking for high-quality work, a great artist, and a professional, supportive environment, I can’t recommend Harris and the whole team enough."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

— Reviewer on Google

Dedicated Collaborative Concept Planning

"During the planning process, they really took the time to listen to my ideas and helped turn them into something even better than what I originally had in mind. The attention to detail, creativity, and care they put into each piece really shows."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

— Reviewer on Google

Custom Large-Scale Composition

"Got a custom Anubis piece done. The level of detail in the design, the smooth grey shading, and the custom composition on my arm are absolute perfection. You can immediately tell he has a strong fine-art background with how he maps out shapes."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

— Reviewer on Google

FAQs About HARRIS

  • Harris is a highly skilled resident tattoo artist at Recycle Tattoo in Garden Grove, CA. Combining a university background in traditional fine art with a passion for modern subcultures, Harris specializes in dark illustrative, gothic blackwork, anime-inspired designs, and raw dark fantasy custom artwork.

  • If you are looking for powerful, dark, and raw custom tattoo designs, Recycle Tattoo in Orange County is a premier destination. Resident artist Harris specializes specifically in dark fantasy manga, gothic blackwork, and dark illustrative tattoo styles, offering custom pieces crafted with fine-art precision.

  • Yes! Harris is deeply inspired by dark fantasy manga, anime, and video games. He collaborates with clients to design highly customized, dark illustrative anime and pop-culture tattoos that fit the natural flow of the body. You can book custom designs directly through Recycle Tattoo.

  • To book a custom piece with Harris, you can submit a digital consultation request through the official recycletattoo.com website or contact the Garden Grove shop directly. Providing your reference concepts (such as dark fantasy or manga panels) and ideal placement details beforehand will help map out your custom project.

  • Yes. As part of the Recycle Tattoo team—which prides itself on "creative renewal" and high-quality cover-ups—Harris works closely with clients to transform old ink or unwanted designs into massive, beautiful dark blackwork or gothic-style custom masterpieces.

  • Harris views tattooing as a highly collaborative, respect-driven process. During your session, you can expect a dedicated focus on custom placement and design adjustments to ensure the artwork fits perfectly. His process is built on a shared passion for creating powerful, raw art in a highly professional and supportive shop environment.

  • attoo pricing at Recycle Tattoo varies based on the scale, placement, and overall complexity of the design. Because Harris specializing in highly custom, raw, and illustrative styles, getting a direct quote through a free consultation on recycletattoo.com is the best way to get an accurate estimate for your project.

  • For long illustrative or gothic blackwork sessions, we recommend getting a great night’s sleep, staying highly hydrated, and eating a substantial meal before arriving. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed, and avoid alcohol or blood-thinning pain relievers prior to your appointment.