Battle Born Artists
Archie Wood
Meet Archie, owner and artist of Battle Born Tattoo!
Archie is a versatile tattoo artist with 20 years of experience, excelling in every style from realism to Japanese, fine line to bold, color, and everything in between.
Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, Archie attended high school in Gabbs, Nevada. After moving to Reno, he opened Battle Born Tattoo in 2005.
Archie’s dedication to his shop means you’ll find him there most days, but when he’s not at the shop, Archie enjoys riding his motorcycle, spending time with friends and family, and keeping up with the latest movie releases!
Jordan “The Mule” Mueller
Meet “The Mule”!
Born in Santa Rosa, California, he moved to Reno with his family in 1990 at the age of five. Growing up in Northern Nevada, he draws inspiration from the neon lights of the city of Reno, as well as the surrounding desert and mountain landscapes.
As an experienced walk-in artist, Jordan is versatile in his craft, creating tattoos for everyone—whether it’s black and grey or color, fine line or bold, big or small.
Jordan has a deep appreciation for the history of tattooing. His station has an extensive library of reference books and flash from tattoo legends like Sailor Jerry, Bert Grimm, Pat Martinuik, and Tony Polito, as well as modern artists such as Paul Dobleman, Bert Krak, Tyler Harrington and Horitomo.
Keeping with tradition, Jordan offers a “Get What You Get” machine featuring Sailor Jerry flash!
Outside the shop, he loves spending time with his three daughters, Zoey, Penelope, and Elsie. He also enjoys attending live music events from all genres, from country to hip hop.
Zac Niles
Meet Zac!
Born and raised in Reno, Zac has a deep love for this city and community. With over 10 years tattooing here, he loves to bring art and happiness to everyone he meets.
His art style ranges from realism and neo-traditional, to bold colors and black and grey. Zac brings inspiration from all types of art into his tattoos. Historical art, street arts, and modern art are a few influences that he has built his work from.
As a father of four, family is the most important in life. When he is not tattooing, you'll find him out hiking and camping with his wife and kids.
Dillon Delano
Meet Dillon!
Born in Sonoma, California, Dillon’s travels took him through Texas, Washington, Delaware, and eventually Miami, Florida, where he lived for a decade. In Miami, he embraced his love for skating and surfing, working with a skate/surf company while nurturing his passion for drawing, which led to his own clothing line.
Growing up in a Catholic household where art was viewed as a hobby and tattooing as taboo, Dillon watched his friends, including a coworker named Nicky, pursue careers in tattooing. Eventually, his passion for the craft overcame familial apprehensions, leading him to follow Nicky into his first tattoo shop where he completed a two-year apprenticeship. He then spent another year tattooing in Miami before relocating to Reno, Nevada—the birthplace of the legendary tattoo artist, Norman Collins.
Dillon’s love for traditional tattooing is extremely prevalent in his work, drawing inspiration from American Traditional pioneers while striving to cultivate his own unique style. Outside the shop, Dillon enjoys being a plant-dad, exploring fantasy and sci-fi literature, Japanese manga, gaming, skating, riding his Harley, attending shows, and experiencing all that Reno’s vibrant nightlife has to offer.
Dillon accepts direct bookings and walk-ins daily!
James
Meet James, the newest addition to Battle Born Tattoo!
James brings 11 years of tattooing experience, mastering styles from folk ornamental to fine line traditional, black and grey, and Asian influence.
Originally from South San Francisco, he grew up in Hailey, Idaho, and San Juan Island, before moving to Europe at 22 to pursue his passion for tattooing. After apprenticing at L.T.W. in Barcelona, James embarked on a traveling tattoo career, gaining heaps of knowledge and inspiration from Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Now based in Reno since 2023, James loves meeting new people and using different techniques to create unique, fun, and visually stunning tattoo designs. Influenced by underground culture, Asian temples, and various music styles like punk, hip hop, metal, surf, and goth rock, James brings a vibrant energy to our shop. When he’s not tattooing, you’ll find him painting, playing guitar, cooking, gardening, and enjoying esoteric wizardry, skateboarding, and photography.
James is stoked to bring your tattoo ideas to life, whether it’s a custom piece or pre-drawn flash.
Ceci Gomez
Meet Ceci!
Ceci Gomez is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends boldness, energy, and emotional depth. Born in Killeen, Texas, and now based in Reno, Nevada, Ceci began creating art at 14, drawing inspiration from the movies, music, and peers that shaped her understanding of life. She often uses vibrant, energetic visuals to capture raw emotions from both personal experiences and broader cultural themes. Her work remains grounded in the exploration of what it means to be human.
Having spent time living in Seattle and Los Angeles, Ceci’s work is shaped by a rich mix of cultural influences that deepen her storytelling. She is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with different clients, and embraces every project as a chance to bring unique visions to life.
Ceci has shown her art with Of The Sol, an artist collective in Reno, and continues to evolve as a creator. She remains committed to exploring the imagery of beauty and pain that come with human nature. With every piece, Ceci strives to connect with others and offer a space for shared reflection through the power of visual storytelling.
“Your tattoo is more than just the perfect placement of ink on skin—it's a personal expression, and I take pride in creating work that you’ll carry with you forever.”
Jackie Verling
Meet Jackie!
A born and raised Reno native with a deep love for art and nature. Specializing in nature-inspired designs, Jackie loves drawing plants, flowers, animals, and even whimsical cartoons with a touch of glitter. Her love for colors—whether bright or muted—shines through in every piece she creates.
Jackie’s goal is to make every client feel comfortable and involved in the tattoo process. From the initial drawing stages to selecting the perfect colors, she encourages her clients to share their ideas and opinions, ensuring that each tattoo is a collaborative effort and a true reflection of their vision.
When she’s not at the shop, Jackie enjoys spending quality time with her son and exploring the great outdoors. She loves camping, discovering new spots to swim, and running in various scenic areas around town.
