Meet the Owner
Manny Valerio
Manny Valerio is an award-winning tattoo artist with over 14 years of experience serving clients in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Known for his calm presence and precision, Manny specializes in black and grey realism and portraiture, creating timeless, meaningful tattoos with intention and depth.
Every piece he creates is the result of true collaboration, rooted in trust, communication, and artistic vision. Manny’s approach goes beyond technique; he’s committed to offering a thoughtful, elevated experience where clients feel understood and leave with work they’re proud to wear for life.
As the founder of Sovereign Gallery, Manny continues to set a new standard for tattooing, combining fine art, authenticity, and a space that inspires.
Thomas Bork
Born and raised in Germany, Thomas discovered his creative spirit early in life, drawn to the worlds of art, architecture, and design. At 23, he made the life-changing move to the United States, where he continues to build a life centered around creativity and connection.
Today, Thomas works as a tattoo artist, specializing in fineline realism, geometric design, botanical illustration, and delicate, detailed imagery. His passion for drawing, his love for intricate design, and his deep respect for nature flow through every piece he creates.
Outside of the studio, Thomas finds inspiration in the simple beauty of life, tending to his garden, admiring the delicate structure of flowers, and embracing the peace found in the natural world.
Above all, Thomas is a proud girl dad to three wonderful daughters, and he treasures the moments spent together, living life fully, with gratitude, joy, and heart.
Pablo Rivera
Pablo is a professional tattoo artist originally from Riobamba, Ecuador, with a lifelong passion for art and drawing. After attending tattoo conventions and connecting with inspiring artists, he began collecting tattoos from around the world, an experience that sparked his journey into tattooing.
He started by tattooing friends and family, and quickly discovered a deep love for the craft. Over time, he expanded his artistic skills through oil painting courses and a growing collection of fine art prints. His work is often influenced by his cultural heritage and explores themes of dark imagery, skulls, and portraiture, while also welcoming custom and traditional designs.
Now a proud member of Sovereign Gallery, Pablo is dedicated to providing a clean, professional, and elevated tattoo experience. He continues to build a strong, thoughtful portfolio rooted in creativity, precision, and personal connection.
When he’s not tattooing, Pablo enjoys spending time outdoors and finding new music to fuel his inspiration.
Michaela Santalucia
With over a decade of experience as a multidisciplinary artist, Michaela has built a career transforming spaces and telling stories through visual art. From large-scale murals to immersive designs for restaurants, clubs, and retail spaces, her work has always centered around emotion, detail, and impact.
In recent years, she discovered a new creative calling through tattooing, a medium that allows for deeper connection and lasting expression. Drawing from her fine art background, she now specializes in portraiture, ranging from abstract to hyper-realistic, in both full color and black-and-grey. Each tattoo is approached as a personal, meaningful piece of art that honors the wearer’s story.
As a frequent guest artist at Sovereign Gallery, Michaela brings an elevated and intentional approach to every session, creating an experience that is just as thoughtful as the work itself.
Outside of tattooing, she continues to explore new mediums, environments, and inspirations that feed back into her evolving style.