The Murder Art Collective
The Murder Art Collective (859) 687-0226
A large black and grey back piece of an eagle over a city skyline, covering the shoulders and spine.
Tattoo & Piercing · Est. 2019 · Lexington, Kentucky

Life changing body art. Period.

Let our tattoos & piercings express your truth. Custom work, drawn for one person only, at 525 South Upper Street.

Studio
525 S Upper St Downtown Lexington, KY 40508
Call or text
(859) 687-0226Text is fastest
Hours
Tue–Sat 11–8Closed Sunday & Monday
Recommended by
98% of 422 reviewsAcross Facebook & Yelp

A collective of artists challenging the boundaries of fine art and tattoos.

Founded in 2019 by Salt Lake City native Justin Hadlock, The Murder is a tattoo and piercing studio built around family — so you can expect to feel comfortable and relaxed while getting your choice of permanent body modification.

In 2021 we moved from Morehead to the heart of downtown Lexington. Nothing here comes off a wall: every piece is drawn for the person wearing it.

  • 2019Founded by Justin Hadlock, in Morehead, Kentucky
  • 2021Moved to 525 S Upper St, downtown Lexington
  • 21KPeople following the shop's work
  • 98%Of 422 reviewers recommend The Murder
Portfolio

Selected work

Healed & fresh · Click to enlarge
More on Instagram More on Facebook
The bench

The artists

Four · One room

Justin Hadlock

aka FaceTats McGee · Owner

The owner and the mind behind The Murder. It is literally written on his face how much he loves tattoos. After 20 years, freehand is the name of the game — stencils seem more like training wheels for him. Justin thrives on large-scale, head-turning work and the kind of detail that leaves you asking how he did it. Tattooing is simple. Put the black where the black goes, and not where it doesn't.

  • Freehand
  • Large scale
  • Cover-ups
  • 20 years

Lacey

Body piercer

Lacey is a Lexington O.G. We swear she knows everyone, and if she doesn't, you will soon. Her top priorities are respect for the craft and a one-of-a-kind experience for the client. We ain't gonna lie either — she is 100% the mom of the shop. They say she has the hands of an angel, but you will have to come in to find out.

  • Ears & curated lobes
  • Facial
  • Body
  • Jewellery

Brandon

Tattoo artist

A former medic in the United States Marine Corps, and it shows in how methodically he works. Hailing from California, Brandon picked up a love for slick, clean west-coast lettering and buttery smooth black and grey. His real superpower is mind-bending geometric patterns — given the size of this man's hands, the accuracy is genuinely hard to explain.

  • Geometric
  • Lettering
  • Black & grey

Jason

Tattoo artist

Born and raised in Kentucky, Jason is the man with a plan when it comes to building your dream tattoo. Specialising in black and grey, he is your own personal human printer — translating art from reference to skin without losing anything on the way.

  • Black & grey
  • Realism
  • Fine line
Lacey's room

Piercing

Ears · Facial · Body
A healed navel piercing with a jewelled barbell.

Ears and curated lobes, facial, navel and body — fitted, placed and talked through properly, with jewellery that suits the anatomy rather than whatever is in the tray.

Healing happens on the inside too. The outside of a piercing closes long before the tissue inside has finished strengthening, which is why changing jewellery early is the fastest way to set yourself back. Give it the time it deserves.

Text about a piercing
How it works

Booking

Consult first · Always

Every tattoo here starts with a conversation, not a price list. Bring the idea, the placement, and any reference you love. The rest gets drawn for you.

  1. Call or text the shop

    (859) 687-0226 — text is usually fastest. Tell us the idea, rough size and placement.

  2. Consult with your artist

    You are matched with the artist whose style fits the piece. Pricing is quoted only after that consult.

  3. Sign the waiver before you sit

    Paperwork is done online ahead of time, so the appointment is all needle and no clipboard.

  4. Sit down, then heal it properly

    Follow the aftercare to the letter. A healed tattoo is half your work and half ours.

10%

Student discount. Bring your student ID for 10% off all tattoos and piercings. We are four blocks from the University of Kentucky campus — mention it when you book.

Come see us

Visit

525 S Upper St

Address

525 S Upper St
Lexington, KY 40508

Hours

  • Tuesday – Saturday11:00 – 20:00
  • Sunday & MondayClosed

Contact