ABOUT

Chely is a talented tattoo artist at Guru Tattoo, known for her expertise in Black and Gray, Blackwork, Illustrative styles, as well as micro-realism and realism. Growing up, she drew immense inspiration from comics and the surreal works of Salvador Dali, which fueled her artistic passion from a young age.

Her journey began in Ensenada, Mexico, at Black Gold MX, where she encountered incredible mentors who encouraged her to push beyond her comfort zone and strive for excellence every day. A pivotal moment in her career came when she had the opportunity to be a guest artist at the Vatican Studio, where meeting the legendary Freddy Negrete deeply influenced her commitment to mastering Black and Gray tattooing.

Chely's admiration for Guru Tattoo dates back to 2013, when she attended the Vol One art show in Little Italy while living in San Diego. It was there she realized that tattoos held a significant place in her life, igniting her desire to be part of the tattoo community. Her dream became a reality when she was invited for a guest spot at Guru Tattoo, where she immediately felt at home among the talented artists and vibrant atmosphere.

When she’s not tattooing, Chely enjoys spending time at home drawing, reading comics, and traveling. She expresses heartfelt gratitude to her wife for inspiring her to pursue her dreams and to her dear friend Enrique, who always believed in her journey. Rest in peace, Enrique.

Chely Villalva is currently taking appointments at our Pacific Beach location. Fill out our booking link or email her directly at chely@gurutattoo.com