Cristopher "Sky" Skiver
U.S. Army veteran, founder of Broken Heart Tattoo, and Hillcrest's go-to artist for bold black & grey and custom large-scale work.
- Black & Grey
- American Traditional
- Color Realism
- Custom Large-Scale Work
- Cover-Ups
About Cris "Sky" Skiver
Sky founded Broken Heart Tattoo in 2010 after serving in the U.S. Army, and he has been tattooing in San Diego ever since. He built the studio on respect, resilience and raw artistic expression - a place where clients come in with an idea and leave with a piece that actually means something.
His work leans into heavy black & grey, classic American traditional, and large-scale custom pieces: full sleeves, back pieces, chest panels and cover-ups that need a real plan before the needle ever touches skin. Clients consistently describe him as fast, precise and unusually good at reading between the lines of a rough idea.
Sky books custom work at the 3704 6th Ave studio in Hillcrest. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your concept, size, placement and budget.
Background
- Founder of Broken Heart Tattoo (est. 2010)
- U.S. Army veteran
- Award-winning San Diego tattoo artist
Specialities
- Black & Grey tattoos
- American Traditional tattoos
- Color Realism tattoos
- Custom Large-Scale Work tattoos
- Cover-Ups tattoos
Book with Cris "Sky" Skiver
- StudioBroken Heart Tattoo
- Address 3704 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103 - Hours7 days · 12pm–10pm
- Phone (619) 237-0058
- Email brokenhearttattoo.CS@gmail.com
- Instagram @skycristophertattoo
- Experience15+ years
Cris "Sky" Skiver books through the studio, so the phone and email above reach the front desk rather than the artist directly.
Walk-ins
Cris "Sky" Skiver takes walk-ins at the Hillcrest studio every day between 12pm and 10pm, subject to availability. For larger pieces, book a consultation so the design can be prepared in advance.
Cris "Sky" Skiver’s work
Tap any photo to see it full size. Every piece below was tattooed at the Hillcrest studio.
Horned winged figure, full back
Japanese woman and octopus, full back
Japanese back piece in progress
Monster and skull body suit
Black and grey arm sleeve
Sleeve detail, alternate angle
Sleeve detail, upper arm
Studio work
Also working out of the Hillcrest studio
Jorge "Soda Pop" Barajas
San Diego's freehand specialist - famous for lettering, black & grey portraits and one-of-a-kind pieces drawn straight onto skin.
- Freehand Lettering
- Black & Grey
- Portraits & Pop Culture
- American Traditional
Philip Leslie
Fine line, blackwork and neo-traditional artist at Broken Heart Tattoo in Hillcrest, San Diego.
- Fine Line
- Blackwork
- Neo-Traditional
- Custom Design
Alyssa Klinshaw
Fine line, minimalist and floral tattoo artist in Hillcrest, San Diego.
- Fine Line
- Minimalist
- Floral & Botanical
- Script & Lettering
Ready to book with Cris "Sky" Skiver?
Free 15-minute consultations, walk-ins welcome 7 days a week, and a firm quote before you commit. Studio: 3704 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103.