Art. Resilience. Creativity. The story behind Inside Ink Tattoo Studio.
Inside Ink Tattoo Studio
A 30-Year Journey Turned Into Art, Tattoos, and Second Chances
The Story Behind the Ink
Inside Ink Tattoo Studio is a locally owned studio in Largo, Florida, built on art, resilience, and second chances.
Owned and operated by Dean McKee, the studio is where creativity, craftsmanship, and personal connection come together to create meaningful, custom tattoos.
This is more than a tattoo shop.
It’s a story brought to life.
Top Image: An underwater mural Dean designed and painted during his wrongful incarceration — where his journey as an artist began.
Dean’s Story
At just 16 years old, Dean McKee was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a crime he did not commit.
For the next 30 years, he fought for his freedom without giving up hope.
With the support of the Innocence Project of Florida, and after decades of legal work and DNA evidence, Dean was finally exonerated and released in 2018.
How Art carried him through
During those years inside, Dean turned to art.
What began as a way to survive became a discipline, a craft, and ultimately a purpose.
Every drawing, mural, painting, and tattoo reflects:
- Strength
- Focus
- Resilience built over decades
Image :A section of a mural Dean designed and painted during his time wrongfully imprisoned.
The Power of Art
Art gave Dean purpose when everything else was taken away.
Today, it fuels a life built on:
- Creativity
- Freedom
- Connection
From tattoos to original artwork, everything created at Inside Ink reflects the belief that it’s never too late to turn pain into purpose.
Image: "Cherubs" A Valentines Day Gift From Dean to Danie while still in prison.
The Birth of Inside Ink
The name Inside Ink reflects where Dean’s artistic path was forged.
What was learned and highly sought on the inside became the foundation for a studio built in freedom — a place where art, story, and second chances come together in every piece.
Dean didn’t just learn to tattoo.
He built his craft under pressure, with intention, and with purpose.
Image: Seth Miller (Dean's Lawyer), Dean and Danie McKee at the Grand Opening Hosted by the Innocence Project of Florida January 2020.
A studio with soul
Inside Ink is more than a place to get tattooed.
Every piece created here carries meaning.
Clients come for:
Custom tattoos with intention
Memorial and symbolic work
A deeper connection to their art
You’re not just getting a tattoo —
you’re becoming part of something real.
Whether it’s your first tattoo, a memorial piece, or something deeply personal, every design is created with intention and care.
🔥 Book with Dean
If you’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo that means something ... not just something that looks good ... you’re in the right place.
Located in Largo, FL | Trusted by locals and visitors from Indian Rocks Beach and beyond...