Clay Wendel is a multi-talented creative with a strong focus on tattooing & chainstitch embroidery. He began experimenting with chainstitching in late 2022, and the following year, started pursuing it more consistently. Around that same time, Clay began apprenticing at Elizabeth Street Tattoo, under tattooer Mike McAskill. Working full-time on drawing & painting at the shop, his skills translated seamlessly into his chainstitch work noticeably elevating the embroidery he produces. 

Clay's chainstitching is known for its clean, highly detailed execution and distinctive emphasis on color blending - an approach not often seen elsewhere. Whether he is creating one-off pieces or multiple designs, large projects or small, his process is rooted in precision and care, always resulting in a polished final product that hits its intended mark. 

Though relatively new to the craft, Clay's background in chainstitch quickly earned him recognition as one of the most promising artists in the field. Around the time he started, Clay underwent a series of unexpected open-heart surgeries, with the most recent taking place in 2022. During his recovery he decided to invest in his own chainstitch machine and used his downtime to learn the craft.

Around the one year mark of his chainstitch journey, Clay was offered a traditional tattoo apprenticeship, which he eagerly accepted. The two-year apprenticeship proved invaluable - both for tattooing and for further refining his chainstitch skills. Today, Clay is full-time at the shop, spending most of his days drawing, painting, and tattooing. Outside of the tattooing, he continues to chainstitch at night and on his days when he's not at the tattoo shop. 

Clay has produced custom chainstitch work for numerous clients including prominent tattooers, brands, and recently well-known musicians. He’s always open to new projects in both tattooing and chainstitching, so don't hesitate to reach out with inquiries related to either artform.