Mathias Moretti

Mathias at Golden Child Tattoo

Mathias Moretti

I’m Mathias, a North Shore transplant with twenty years behind the machine. My happy place is drawing saturated Americana from scratch—blending 90s punk, folk art, and dry humor then tattooing it in sessions fueled by podcasts and client banter for collectors who crave color.

Mathias at Golden Child Tattoo

Meet Mathias Moretti

Bright, Bold Color Tattoos

Color has always stolen my attention glossy record sleeves, thrift-store folk paintings, the neon merch table at a punk show. Growing up on Massachusetts’ North Shore, I sketched those palettes into notebooks until tattooing found me twenty years ago. Today I’m based in San Diego, still chasing that electric contrast through bright, bold Americana pieces drawn from scratch. My paintings pull in folk-art iconography, Sailor Jerry boldness, and the raw spirit of 90s punk flyers, amplified in ink.

My best days start with interesting, funny clients who hand me a half-formed idea and say, “Go wild.” We sit, trade dry jokes and random factoids, and let the design grow on paper before it hits skin. I build every tattoo the classic way: single-pass lines, saturated color packs, smooth black fades that stand the test of gigs, road trips, and rescue-shelter dog walks.

Outside the studio you’ll catch me hiking mile after mile, pitching a tent under pine silhouettes, volunteering at local sanctuaries, or meal-prepping a week’s worth of comfort food. Podcasts are my soundtrack; pass me the aux and I’ll queue everything from true crime to basketball lore speaking of which, the Boston Celtics once saved my life, and I’ll gladly tell you over the buzz of a coil.

If you want art that feels like your favorite loud song made visible, let’s start the sketch.

- Mathias

Client Words

What People Say About Our Work

read all reviews
Carrie "Bo Berry" McIntosh — Google reviewer
Carrie "Bo Berry" McIntosh 6 days ago
★★★★★

Katelyn was great. As a tattoo newbie I didn't know what to expect. For my little tattoo I was scared of the potential pain. Katelyn was very patient and she tattooed a…

Jacob Shafer — Google reviewer
Jacob Shafer 8 days ago
★★★★★

I've had 2 tattoos from Kurt so far and plan on going back for more. His almost 30 years of experience was reassuring throughout the entire process. Zion up front is…

Angela Trunnell — Google reviewer
Angela Trunnell 22 days ago
★★★★★

Katherine Parada is the absolute best! I've had 4 sessions with her in as many months, and have brought several family and friends back with me. We all LOVE the pieces…

Ambrosia Solis — Google reviewer
Ambrosia Solis 1 day ago
★★★★★

I've gotten 2 piercings from Birdie and both experiences were fantastic. Looking forward to potentially getting a tattoo from someone here in the near future, next!

The Rest of Our tattoo Artist Crew

Nick Crawford, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Nick Crawford

IllustrativeAmerican TraditionalColor
@costlymistake

Specializing in American-Traditional tattoos, Nick keeps that classic traditional look without veering away from that timeless style.

Katherine Parada, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Katherine Parada

Fine LineBlack & GrayIllustrative
@kat_parmu

Specializing in micro-realism, fine line, graphic, and geometric styles, Katherine Parada blends technical precision with artistic flair to create meaningful, detailed tattoos.

Kristine, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Kristine

@krist.inktattoo

Escondido linework artist Kristine creates custom mandalas and graceful organic florals with eco-inks and a calm, client-first vibe.

Kurt (Tatzilla), artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Kurt (Tatzilla)

FeminineAmerican TraditionalBlack & Gray
@_tatzilla_

Specializing in Japanese and American Traditional, Kurt brings 25 years across all styles, from cover-ups to fine line custom work, with guest spots throughout California, Hawaii, and the Southwest.

Melissa, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Melissa

IllustrativeMinimalistFine Line
@linesbymelissa

Valley Center’s Melissa inks expressive linework and dainty fineline tattoos, blending bold ideas with feather light detail for collectors.

Brandon Castillo AKA Sixer, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Brandon Castillo AKA Sixer

Black & GrayIllustrativeScript & Lettering
@sixer.one

Shop owner Sixer is a versatile artist tattooing in a range of styles, with crisp, clean lines, saturated blacks and colors to create contrast throughout his work.

Sloe Rivera, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Sloe Rivera

Black & GrayMicro-Realism
@_sloejamz_

A top Escondido tattoo artist, Slo specializes in black and gray realism, portraits, and custom lettering with availability for new clients.

Stephen Carballo, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Stephen Carballo

Fine LineMicro-RealismMinimalist
@thelosangelesriver

Stephen Carballo is a traveling fine line and micro-realism tattoo artist with over 20 years of experience — tattooing at Golden Child most weekdays when not on the road.

Katelyn Alvarado, artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Katelyn Alvarado

IllustrativeBlack & GrayFine Line
@epic_avacado

Specializing in fine line, black and grey, and bold color tattoos, Katelyn Alvarado creates personalized, meaningful designs, including botanical themes, critters, and custom pet portraits.

Olivia Thompson, tattoo artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Olivia Thompson

Black & GrayFloralRealism
@artdispoo

A Southern California artist working in black and grey and color realism and surrealism, with a love for bold color and fine line. Olivia crafts portraits, florals, animals, and large-scale black and grey pieces her clients carry with purpose for life.

Trish Westbrook, tattoo artist at Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido

Trish Westbrook

ColorIllustrativeNeo-Traditional
@tattoo_trish

A versatile tattoo artist with a signature pop of color across many styles. Trish listens to the meaning behind each piece, designs it to last, and keeps every client comfortable from start to finish.

Ready to book with Mathias ?

Questions answered. Aftercare handled. All that's left is booking your appointment.

  • 4.9 Google rating
  • 849 reviews
  • Award-winning shop
Front counter inside Golden Child Tattoo and Piercing in Escondido

Find Us

So We Can Help Find The New You 🤘

Golden Child
505 W Washington Ave,
Escondido, CA 92025
get directions info@goldenchildtattoo.com @goldenchildtattoo on Instagram
Hours

We Are Currently:

 

Our Hours:

Mon - Fri 12-7
Saturday 12-8
Sunday 12-6

Stop In!

We’re at 505 W. Washington Ave in Escondido, CA, 30 minutes from downtown San Diego:

  • 4.9 Google rating
  • 849 reviews
  • Award-winning shop
Stop In

We Are Currently:

 

Stop In!

We’re at 505 W. Washington Ave in Escondido, CA, 30 minutes from downtown San Diego:

Our Hours:

Mon - Fri 12-7
Saturday 12-8
Sunday 12-6
  • 4.9 Google rating
  • 849 reviews
  • Award-winning shop
see more by