Matt D’Ariano, also known as “Kai,” was born in the Bronx, New York. He played Division I collegiate baseball before fully pursuing his lifelong passion for art. His interest in tattooing began after receiving his first tattoo at the now-closed Invisible NYC, where the Japanese tattoo artwork covering the shop’s walls—along with large-scale sleeves and back pieces—left a lasting impression.
Kai began his apprenticeship in the fall of 2021 under shop owner Bruce Kaplan, completing it in 2023. He specializes in Japanese-style and American Traditional tattooing, including both traditional and neo-traditional work, and is always pushing to explore new styles within that realm. What draws Kai most to Japanese tattooing is its timeless aesthetic and rich historical significance within Asian culture. He focuses on designing tattoos that flow naturally with the body’s lines and contours to create balanced, timeless pieces rooted in tradition.
