Ethereal Tattoo Gallery
About Ethereal Tattoo Gallery
“It’s hard to express how it makes you feel that people are choosing you to document these things that mean so much to them.”
A pet portrait tattoo is a way to keep them with you, forever. Brian Parrillo is a black and grey realism tattoo artist at Ethereal Tattoo Gallery in Durham, North Carolina, and pet portraits are at the center of his work. He has been tattooing for more than 12 years and is also an academically trained fine artist and portrait oil painter, so every portrait is built on an understanding of light, anatomy, and expression. The goal is not just a dog or a cat. It is your dog or your cat: the gray around the muzzle, the ear that never quite stood up, the look they gave only you.
See Brian’s pet portrait tattoos: https://www.brianparrillo.com/pet-portrait-tattoos
Families travel from across North Carolina and from other states to work with Brian. Many come after a loss. Others come while their pet is still by their side, to honor the bond they share now. Either way, you will be met with patience and care, and there is never any pressure to rush.
How it works: start by submitting a request through Brian’s booking form at https://www.brianparrillo.com/booking. Free virtual consultations are available if you are traveling in, and free in-person consultations are available in Durham. Brian works from several photos and can help you choose the strongest ones. A signature 3 to 4 inch pet portrait usually takes 4 to 5 hours in a single session, depending on skin and placement. After your appointment, you can text the shop with any healing questions. Answers to common questions are here: https://www.brianparrillo.com/faq
If you are planning ahead: the best thing you can do for a future portrait is take photos now. Natural light, eye level, sharp focus on the eyes, and a few different angles make an enormous difference.
Giving back: Brian’s pet portrait fundraiser for Hope Animal Rescue raised $3,200 in 2025 (https://www.brianparrillo.com/charitypetportraits), and his 2026 tiger tattoo fundraiser raised $2,800 for Carolina Tiger Rescue (https://www.brianparrillo.com/tiger-rescue).
Visit the studio: https://etherealtattoogallery.com
Services
- Memorial Products & KeepsakesIn person
Service area
Hours & payments
- By appointment
- By appointment, typically Wednesday-Sunday.
Reviews
Write a reviewNo reviews yet. Worked with Ethereal Tattoo Gallery? Be the first to share.