Meet the team behind Monumental Tattoo Academy
Aaron Clarke
Founder, CVO & Lead Trainer
Aaron's journey into tattooing is the foundation on which Monumental Tattoo Academy was built.
A self-taught artist, Aaron was determined to build a career in tattooing despite being turned away by every studio he approached for an apprenticeship—even after offering to work for free. Rather than giving up, he committed himself to learning, developing his craft and proving that passion, resilience and relentless hard work could open doors that others had closed.
Today, Aaron is an accomplished black and grey realism artist, the owner of two successful tattoo studios, and the driving force behind Monumental Tattoo Academy.
His experience shapes the academy's philosophy: there are no shortcuts to becoming a great tattoo artist, but with dedication, the right guidance and a willingness to learn, extraordinary things are possible.
Aaron's goal isn't simply to teach people how to tattoo—it's to help aspiring artists build the skills, confidence and professional mindset needed to begin a successful career in the industry.
Steve McGeary
Tattoo Artist & Academy Trainer
Steve's journey proves that it's never too late to follow a new passion.
After spending more than 20 years as a Software Test Manager, Steve made the decision to pursue a career in tattooing. He joined Monumental Tattoo Academy as a student and, through dedication, hard work and a commitment to continuous improvement, developed into a professional tattoo artist and valued member of the Monumental team.
Today, Steve tattoos from our Colchester studio, creating work across a wide range of styles. While his clean, consistent linework remains his signature, he has a real passion for black and grey realism and is constantly pushing himself to develop as an artist.
Steve teaches on our Tattoo Taster Day, Fine Line Intensive and 3-Day Tattoo Training Intensive. Known for his calm, patient nature and genuine willingness to help, he creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and growing in confidence.
Steve's philosophy is simple:
"Anyone can do this if they're prepared to put the work in. Tattooing is a journey filled with highs and lows, but with the right mindset, determination and a commitment to improving every day, incredible things are possible."
Favourite Styles
- Lettering
- Black & Grey Realism
Best Advice
"Stay humble and focus on your own journey, not someone else's.”
Mia Layzell
Tattoo Artist & Academy Trainer
Mia's creative journey began long before tattooing.
After graduating with a degree in Fashion & Textiles, specialising in Knitwear Design, she launched her own sustainable womenswear brand and gained invaluable industry experience through an internship with Marc Jacobs in New York. These experiences shaped not only her creativity but also her understanding of design, craftsmanship and the importance of putting the client at the centre of every creative process.
Today, Mia brings that same approach to tattooing. She believes every tattoo should be a collaboration—listening carefully to each client's vision while using her artistic experience to guide them towards the strongest possible design. Her work is known for being creative, playful and thoughtfully considered, with a style that reflects both technical precision and artistic expression.
Based in our Colchester studio, Mia enjoys tattooing a wide range of styles, with a particular passion for clean linework and micro-realism. She also loves creating bold blackwork pieces and enjoys the opportunity to work with colour whenever she can.
As an Academy trainer, Mia is passionate about helping students understand not just how to tattoo, but why certain techniques work. Her favourite moments are the ones where a student suddenly has a breakthrough—the small tip or change in approach that turns frustration into confidence.
Mia encourages every aspiring artist to be patient with themselves.
"Don't expect to be amazing straight away. Every artist starts somewhere. Practice consistently, draw whenever you can, and always practise with intention. The biggest improvements come when you take the time to understand what went well, what didn't, and why."
Favourite Styles
- Clean Linework
- Micro-Realism
- Bold Blackwork
- Colour
Best Advice
"Your tattoos will only ever be as good as your drawing ability. Keep drawing, keep analysing your work and trust the process.”
Silv
Tattoo Artist & Academy Trainer
Silv's journey into tattooing began after working in the construction industry, where he developed the work ethic, resilience and determination that continue to define his approach as an artist today.
Specialising in black and grey tattooing, Silv is passionate about creating pieces that feel alive—work that captures emotion, depth and atmosphere. He is constantly refining his technique, with a particular focus on producing tattoos that heal exactly as intended: rich, dark and beautifully saturated.
As an Academy trainer, Silv enjoys helping students overcome the small technical details that can make the biggest difference. Many of the lessons he shares were things that took him months to discover through experience, and he takes great satisfaction in helping others progress more quickly by passing on that knowledge.
For Silv, tattooing is about more than technical ability—it's about dedication, patience and a genuine desire to keep improving.
His philosophy is simple:
"Art has always been a way for me to express ambition and emotion. My goal is to create tattoos that feel alive, and to help others understand the small details that bring their work to life too."
Favourite Style
- Black & Grey
Biggest Achievement
Creating tattoos that consistently heal the way they were intended—dark, saturated and true to the original design.
Best Advice
"Always show up, even on the hardest days. Stay humble, keep learning and never stop improving."