ANATHEMAStart booking

Private studio · Lubbock, Texas

Dark fantasy.
Painterly realism.

Custom black-and-grey and color tattooing by Michael, designed one project at a time.

Start booking Explore the work

Appointments seven days a week

Color realism skull and stained glass tattoo by MichaelPainterly realism
Illustrative Black Phillip valentine tattoo by MichaelIllustrative color
Portrait of Michael, the artist behind Anathema Tattoo
Michael · Anathema Tattoo

The artist

I’m Michael.

I specialize in dark fantasy and painterly realism—black and grey or full color, with the strongest work usually given room to breathe. Every piece begins with your idea and becomes something built specifically for your body.

I work from a private studio in Lubbock, Texas. You’ll work directly with me, from the first conversation to your tattoo session.

Tell me about your idea

Selected work

Made to haunt
the right person.

A mix of dark fantasy, painterly realism, pop culture, and illustrative color—each designed and tattooed by Michael.

Painterly dark fantasy witch tattoo
Color realism skull and stained glass tattoo
Dark fantasy demon portrait tattoo
Black Phillip valentine tattoo
Doom Slayer color realism tattoo
Koi and cherry blossom tattoo
Painterly horror portrait tattoo
Red realism rose tattoo
Oni dark fantasy tattoo
Biomechanical dark portrait tattoo

Session options

Give the idea
enough time.

Day sessions make pricing clear and let us focus on the piece rather than watching the clock. Exact session needs are confirmed after your request is reviewed.

Half day

$700

Up to 4 hours
  • Ideal for focused medium pieces
  • Original custom design
  • $200 deposit toward total
Book a half day

Full day

$1,400

Up to 8 hours
  • Best for immersive large-scale work
  • Original custom design
  • $200 deposit toward total
Book a full day

Hourly

$200/hr

When a day session isn’t the fit
  • Project minimums may apply
  • Time estimate approved first
  • $200 deposit toward total
Plan an hourly session

How booking works

Your idea.
Your session.

Share the details, choose the time you have in mind, and review your payment. I handle every project and booking personally.

Choose your date and pay securely here. Regular sessions require a $200 deposit; prepay specials are paid in full. Michael personally reviews and confirms each project.

  1. 01

    Describe your tattoo

    Share the subject, placement, size, style, and references. You don’t need a fully formed design.

  2. 02

    Choose your session

    Select the session length, day, and start time. Times are shown in Lubbock’s Central time zone.

  3. 03

    Review your payment

    Regular sessions use a $200 deposit; prepay specials are paid in full upfront. Pay securely on this website to hold your selected time.

  4. 04

    Connect with Michael

    I’ll work through the details with you and personally confirm your project and appointment.

Private studio · Lubbock

Quiet room.
Undivided attention.

An appointment-only setting for custom work—without the noise and traffic of a walk-in shop. Exact studio details are shared with confirmed clients.

Tell me what you’re imagining
Detailed color tattoo by Anathema Tattoo

Before you ask

Good questions.
Straight answers.

When is my appointment confirmed?+

The new flow lets you choose a session and preferred time, then pay a deposit—or the full price of a prepay special—to begin booking. Michael personally confirms the project and date. Your selected time is held after payment succeeds.

How does the deposit work?+

Regular sessions use a $200 deposit applied to your tattoo total. Any enabled prepay specials require their full flat price upfront. Deposits are non-refundable and cancellations do not receive a deposit refund. With advance notice, your deposit transfers for up to two free reschedules; further rescheduling requires a new deposit. There is no expiration on the replacement date, subject to availability.

Do you work with clients traveling to Lubbock?+

Absolutely. Include where you’re traveling from and your available date range. Larger pieces can be planned around one or more focused sessions.

Can I send reference images?+

Yes—references help communicate mood, subject, and placement. Your final tattoo will be designed as an original piece rather than a copy of another artist’s work.

Start your booking

Let’s plan
your next tattoo.

Share your idea, choose a session and preferred time, and review your deposit—all in one place. I handle your booking personally, with no team or assistant.

Start your booking

Use this form for your tattoo idea, placement, approximate size, style, and scheduling preferences. Keep it focused on the project—no introduction or personal backstory needed.

Once we connect by email, we can get acquainted and talk through the details.

Choose a day and time

Weekdays · 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Weekends · 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
All times are Lubbock / Central time.

September 2026

OpenUnavailableHoliday

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Unavailable dates include existing appointments and holiday closures. Open dates still need final confirmation.

Closed every year: February 14, October 31, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, December 31, January 1, and January 2. Other holidays are working days. Existing appointments and reservations made through this website are blocked.

Michael personally handles your booking. Your references are not displayed publicly.

Before you book

A few answers to help you feel ready. Open any question below.

Does my idea have to be dark fantasy?

No. Dark fantasy and painterly realism are my main focus, but I also work in other styles, including illustrative color and pop culture. Describe what you have in mind and include references so we can talk about the right approach.

What if I don’t know exactly what I want?

A rough idea is enough to start. Tell me the subject, placement, approximate size, and anything you definitely want or want to avoid. Leave the color direction open if you’d like my recommendation. If you’re unsure how much time your project needs, we’ll need to establish that before reserving a session.

How do references and custom designs work?

Send images to show the mood, style, or details you like, and explain what appeals to you. Your tattoo will be designed for your body rather than copied from another artist. We’ll discuss the design direction and practical limits together.

What should I include—or leave out?

Focus on the tattoo: subject, placement, size, color, budget, and availability. Specific preferences and things you dislike are helpful. You don’t need a formal introduction or personal backstory. Please leave out payment details, identification documents, and sensitive personal information.

What if it’s a cover-up or a tricky placement?

Cover-ups are one of my specialties. Mention any existing tattoo in the area, whether you want a cover-up or rework, and the exact placement. Include a clear photo of the existing tattoo if you can. Those details can change the design, size, and session time. We’ll talk through what’s realistic before confirming the project.

What days can I book?

I take appointments seven days a week, year-round, except Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and January 2. Holidays like MLK Day and Labor Day are working days for me. Weekdays run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends run from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., all in Lubbock time. Sessions must end by closing. The calendar below includes imported booked days and recurring holiday closures. Appointments booked here reserve time in this website’s calendar.

Who can see my request and reference photos?

I run Anathema personally. I’m the only person on my side reviewing your request and reference photos—there’s no booking team or assistant. Your submission is stored in a protected inbox and is not displayed in the public portfolio. The services used to host this site and process bookings handle data needed to provide those services. Include only photos relevant to the tattoo, and crop out identifying or intimate details that aren’t needed.

Am I booked or charged when I send this?

The new booking process starts with your project details, your chosen session and time, and either a $200 deposit for a regular session or full upfront payment for a prepay special. Paying begins the booking process so we can focus our conversation on your design and session. Payment alone is not final appointment confirmation; I’ll personally confirm the project and date. Your time is held only after payment succeeds. Save the confirmation shown on this page.

Do I need to prepare anything else right now?

Just your project details, any useful references, and a realistic date range. If you’re traveling, include that too. We’ll discuss appointment preparation and any practical questions once the session is arranged.