Justin A. Rafter, also known as Grim / TattooedGodson — a tattoo artist based in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, specializing in black and grey realism and neotraditional tattoos. I’ve been tattooing professionally since 2015, but my journey into this craft is rooted much deeper than ink and skin.

 

Before I picked up a tattoo machine, I fought battles I never thought I’d overcome. Addiction, homelessness, and the weight of my own doubts once stood in my way. Through faith in God, resilience, and a relentless drive to create, I turned my struggles into fuel — transforming pain into purpose and art.

 

Every piece I create is more than just a tattoo — it’s a reflection of perseverance, belief, and the beauty that can rise out of even the darkest times. Tattooing and fine art are not just my career, but my calling, and I’m grateful every day to share that with the world.