Alec De Layno Martin (Astyle Alive) Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Career, Net Worth in 2026

Alec De Layno Martin, widely known as Astyle Alive, is a Filipino-American tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and YouTube creator famous for his lifelike black-and-grey realism tattoos and viral tattoo transformation videos. Based in the United States, he has built Astyle Alive from a small custom studio into a trusted tattoo brand with millions of online views and a loyal celebrity and client following.

Alec De Layno Martin (Astyle Alive) Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Career, Net Worth in 2026

This Alec De Layno Martin biography covers his age, height, wife, family, career journey, recent activity in 2026, and net worth, with verified career highlights and personal details fans search for most.

Quick Facts

Full NameAlec De Layno Martin
Nick NameAstyle Alive, Astyle
ProfessionTattoo Artist, Entrepreneur, YouTuber, Social Media Influencer
Birth DateMarch 17, 1989
Age37 years 5 months old
Birth PlaceManila, Philippines
Current ResidenceLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
NationalityFilipino-American
Known ForAstyle Alive Tattoo Studio, black-and-grey realism, viral tattoo videos
EthnicityFilipino / Asian
Zodiac SignPisces
Height5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight176 lbs (80 kg)
Hair ColorBlack
Eye ColorDark Brown
Body ArtFull sleeves, chest piece, neck and hand tattoos
QualificationAssociate Degree in Fine Arts, Professional Tattoo Apprenticeship
ReligionChristianity
Marital StatusMarried
Wife / SpouseMarried, wife keeps a private life away from cameras
Children2 children
ParentsFather and mother of Filipino descent, supportive of art career
SiblingsHas a brother who helps with studio management
HobbiesSketching, portrait drawing, basketball, traveling, videography
Current WorkOwner of Astyle Alive Studio, full-time tattoo artist and content creator
Years Active2008 – present
Net Worth (2026)Estimated $1.5 million – $2 million

Fans of Alec De Layno Martin also follow top tattoo and reality stars with a similar profession, including Kat Von D, Ami James, Chris Nunez, Nikko Hurtado, and Keith Bang Bang McCurdy. Like Ryan Ashley Malarkey and Kyle Dunbar from Ink Master, Alec has gained attention for mixing fine art skills with reality-style storytelling and social media growth.

Early Life and Education

Alec De Layno Martin was born on March 17, 1989, in Manila, Philippines. He grew up in a working-class family where art was encouraged as a hobby but not first seen as a career. From age 7, he was known in school for sketching portraits of classmates, comic characters, and basketball players with unusual detail for his age.

As a child, Alec spent hours copying images from magazines and practicing pencil shading. Teachers often kept his drawings for classroom displays. At home, his parents noticed his focus and bought him sketchbooks, pencils, and later airbrush tools. That early support shaped his eye for light, shadow, and human faces, skills that later defined his tattoo style.

When his family moved to the United States during his teens, Alec adjusted to life in California and later Nevada. He attended high school in Southern California, where he took every art class available, including drawing, painting, and graphic design. Friends paid him for custom lettering, sneaker art, and portrait sketches.

After high school, he earned an Associate Degree in Fine Arts at a community college in California. He studied color theory, anatomy for artists, and illustration. While in college, he became fascinated by tattoo culture after watching veteran artists work at a local street shop. He started visiting conventions, asking questions, and building a small portfolio of flash designs.

Instead of pursuing a traditional design job, Alec chose a formal tattoo apprenticeship. For nearly two years he cleaned stations, set up needles, observed hygiene protocols, and practiced on synthetic skin and willing friends under supervision. That strict training taught him sterilization, machine tuning, skin types, and client care, the foundation for his later success with Astyle Alive.

Career Journey and Recent Activity in 2026

The Alec De Layno Martin career story is a steady rise from apprentice to studio owner to online educator. His profession as a tattoo artist now includes custom realism work, studio leadership, brand deals, and YouTube education that reaches beginners and collectors worldwide.

Beginnings as an Apprentice and Street Shop Artist: 2008 – 2014

Alec began tattooing professionally around 2008. His first years were spent in walk-in shops doing names, stars, tribal pieces, and cover-ups. The pay was low and the hours were long, but he treated every small tattoo as practice for portraits and shading. He built a reputation for clean lines, smooth grey wash, and respectful client service.

By 2011, he was taking on larger black-and-grey pieces, including portraits, religious imagery, and memorial tattoos. Clients praised his patience and his ability to turn blurry photos into clear stencils. He saved earnings to buy better rotary machines, quality inks, and photography gear to document healed work, a habit that later helped him grow on Instagram.

Founding Astyle Alive Studio: 2015 – 2019

In 2015, Alec launched Astyle Alive as both a studio name and personal brand. The name reflected his belief that art should look alive on skin. He started with a small private room in Las Vegas, focusing by appointment only on custom realism, portrait tattoos, and large-scale sleeves.

The move paid off. Word of mouth spread about his realistic eyes, smooth skin tones, and detailed backgrounds. He began attending major U.S. tattoo conventions in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami, where he won local awards for Best Black-and-Grey and Best Portrait. Guest spots in Texas, Florida, and California expanded his client list to include musicians, athletes, barbers, and influencers.

During this phase he also formalized Astyle Alive as a business, with proper licensing, health permits, aftercare products, and trained junior artists. His studio became known for strict hygiene, honest consultations, and refusing rushed work that would not heal well.

YouTube Fame and National Recognition: 2020 – 2023

Alec’s career changed when he started filming full tattoo processes for YouTube and Instagram Reels. Instead of short clips, he posted calm, detailed videos showing stencil prep, needle choice, shading passes, and healed results. His series on cover-ups, scar cover tattoos, and first-tattoo guides drew hundreds of thousands of views.

By 2022, Astyle Alive had become one of the most searched realism tattoo channels for viewers looking for honest pricing, pain levels, and healing tips. He passed 300,000 YouTube subscribers and over 700,000 Instagram followers during this period. Brands for aftercare, machines, and studio lighting approached him for reviews and sponsorships.

He also began mentoring beginners online, explaining machine voltage, needle groupings like 3RL, 5RS, and magnums, and how to avoid blowouts and scarring. That educator role set him apart from artists who keep techniques secret.

Watch his latest uploads above to see his realism process, client reactions, and studio vlogs.

Recent Activity in 2026 and Current Work

As of early 2026, Alec De Layno Martin remains fully active as a tattoo artist and creator. He now works by appointment at his Las Vegas studio, with bookings often filled 3 to 4 months in advance. In 2026, he expanded Astyle Alive with a second private room for large back pieces and sleeves, plus a content room for filming consultations and aftercare classes.

By mid-2026, his recent activity includes guest appearances at West Coast tattoo expos, a sold-out realism seminar in Los Angeles, and a collaboration with aftercare brands on sensitive-skin healing balms. His YouTube posting schedule in 2026 focuses on full-day sessions, healed tattoo check-ins after 1 year, and honest shop talk about pricing in the current economy.

As of September 2026, industry trackers estimate his social audience at more than 500,000 YouTube subscribers and over 900,000 Instagram followers combined across studio and personal pages. He continues to post weekly, answers fan questions about apprenticeships, and highlights healed work rather than only fresh, filtered photos.

Astyle Alive Tattoo Specialties and Career Stats

Alec is known for black-and-grey realism with soft transitions and strong contrast that holds over time. His most requested work includes:

  • Portrait tattoos – family members, children, passed loved ones, celebrities
  • Religious realism – Jesus, Virgin Mary, praying hands, crosses, angels
  • Wildlife and nature sleeves – lions, wolves, eagles, forests
  • Chicano-style lettering and memorial dates
  • Scar and stretch-mark cover-ups and reworks
  • Full sleeves, half sleeves, chest panels, and back pieces

Career stats as reported by the studio and convention profiles:

  • Years active: 16+ years, 2008 to present
  • Estimated tattoos completed: 6,000+ sessions, including large multi-session projects
  • Studio: Founder and owner of Astyle Alive, Las Vegas
  • Online education: 400+ videos on tattoo process, healing, and shop business
  • Convention awards: Multiple Best Black-and-Grey and Best Portrait placements, 2016 – 2024
  • Average session rate in 2026: $800 – $1,800 per full day, depending on size and detail

Personal Life

Alec De Layno Martin keeps his personal life mostly private despite his public career. He has said in interviews that the studio is for clients and cameras, while home is for family and rest.

Wife and Marriage

Alec is married. He rarely shows his wife on camera to protect her privacy, but he has credited her for managing bookings, supporting him during slow early years, and encouraging the YouTube channel when he doubted it. Fans searching for Alec De Layno Martin wife will find that he does not share her full name or photos publicly, a choice many respected artists make to keep family life normal.

The couple reportedly met in California before the Astyle Alive studio opened and married in the mid-2010s. She is often described as the behind-the-scenes backbone of the business.

Children and Family

Alec is a father of two children. He occasionally mentions fatherhood in vlogs, especially lessons about patience, practice, and staying away from shortcuts. He does not post his children’s faces or names regularly.

His brother assists with studio operations and videography, and his parents remain close. Family gatherings, Filipino food, and Sunday rest are important to him when he is not booked for long sessions.

Hobbies and Community Involvement

Outside tattooing, Alec enjoys pencil portrait sketching, basketball, sneakers, road trips, and trying local food spots in Las Vegas. He supports toy drives and back-to-school supply events in Nevada and has offered free small cover-ups for select clients with hateful or gang-related tattoos who want a fresh start, subject to consultation.

Awards and Achievements

  • Founder of Astyle Alive Tattoo Studio, Las Vegas – built from single room to multi-artist private studio
  • Multiple convention awards for Best Black-and-Grey Realism and Best Portrait, 2016 – 2024
  • Reached 500,000+ YouTube subscribers by 2026 for tattoo education and transformation videos
  • Recognized by clients for 6,000+ completed tattoo sessions with high healed-photo documentation
  • Featured guest artist and seminar speaker at U.S. tattoo expos and realism workshops
  • Built a trusted aftercare and healing guide used by first-time clients nationwide

Physical Statistics

Alec De Layno Martin age is 37 years old as of September 2026. He maintains an athletic build suited for long tattoo sessions that require steady hands and good posture.

  • Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
  • Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
  • Body type: Athletic, mesomorph
  • Hair color: Black, often kept short or faded
  • Eye color: Dark brown
  • Skin tone: Light brown
  • Tattoos: Full sleeves on both arms, chest piece, leg work, hand and neck accents
  • Shoe size: US 10

Quotes

‘I do not just tattoo a photo. I tattoo the memory behind it. If it does not heal well in five years, it was not done right.’

‘Realism is patience. Light skin, dark ink, slow hands. Rush it and you lose the life in the face.’

‘Astyle Alive means the art stays alive after you leave the chair. Take care of it and it will take care of your story.’

Controversies

Alec has largely avoided major scandals, but like many visible artists he has faced criticism. In 2021, some viewers questioned his pricing after a viral full-day sleeve video, saying realism should cost less. He responded with a breakdown of time, materials, rent, taxes, and years of training, which many fellow artists supported.

In 2023, a small dispute arose when another creator claimed a cover-up concept was copied. Alec showed dated sketches and consultation messages to prove original work and settled the matter privately. He now watermarks designs and films consultations with permission.

He has also spoken openly about refusing clients who request copied celebrity tattoos without changes, explaining copyright respect and the need for original art that fits the body.

Favorites

  • Favorite tattoo style: Black-and-grey realism and fine portrait work
  • Favorite machine: Rotary pen-style machines for soft shading
  • Favorite needle grouping: Curved magnum for smooth grey wash
  • Favorite food: Filipino adobo, sinigang, and Las Vegas tacos
  • Favorite color: Black, grey, and deep red accents
  • Favorite music in studio: Old-school R and B, hip-hop, and acoustic playlists
  • Favorite basketball team: Los Angeles Lakers
  • Favorite travel spot: Philippines, California coast, and Hawaii

Earnings and Net Worth in 2026

Alec De Layno Martin net worth in 2026 is estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million. The figure is based on studio revenue, daily session rates, YouTube ad income, sponsorships, seminars, and merchandise, balanced against business costs like rent, supplies, staff, and taxes.

His income sources include:

  • Custom tattoo sessions: $250 – $400 per hour, $800 – $1,800 per full day in 2026
  • Astyle Alive studio bookings and guest artist percentages
  • YouTube ad revenue from long-form tattoo videos and Shorts
  • Brand deals for machines, inks, aftercare, and studio gear
  • Realism seminars and private mentoring, $500 – $1,200 per student
  • Merchandise: aftercare kits, apparel, and print sales

Industry benchmarks show top realism artists in Las Vegas and Los Angeles charge similar day rates. With advance bookings, high retention, and healed-work referrals, Alec earns above the national average for private studio owners. He reinvests heavily in better equipment, videography, and training rather than flashy spending.

Interesting Facts

  • He practiced shading for two years before doing his first paid portrait.
  • He photographs every large tattoo after healing to study how ink settles.
  • He still draws with pencil daily, even on days off from the machine.
  • He turned down a fast-expansion franchise offer to keep quality control tight.
  • His most emotional work includes memorial portraits for parents and children.
  • He teaches clients how to say no to trends that will not age well on skin.
  • He learned videography himself to keep his YouTube style honest and unfiltered.

Did You Know Already?

Did you know Alec De Layno Martin once worked 11-hour sessions for three straight days to finish a full back piece before a convention? Did you know his Astyle Alive name started as a sketchbook tag before it became a studio? Many fans in 2026 are surprised to learn he still answers apprenticeship questions personally and reviews portfolios for free when his schedule allows.

Follow Alec De Layno Martin for healed tattoos, booking updates, and new videos in 2026:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Alec De Layno Martin?

Alec De Layno Martin is a Filipino-American tattoo artist and founder of Astyle Alive in Las Vegas. His biography is known for black-and-grey realism portraits, honest tattoo education on YouTube, and a private-studio approach focused on healed results.

What is Alec De Layno Martin age in 2026?

He was born on March 17, 1989, which makes him 37 years old as of September 2026. His zodiac sign is Pisces, often linked to creativity and patience, traits visible in his detailed shading work.

What is Astyle Alive known for?

Astyle Alive is known for lifelike portrait tattoos, cover-ups, full sleeves, and step-by-step videos that show the full process from stencil to healing. The studio is respected for hygiene, realistic expectations, and refusing designs that will not heal well.

Is Alec De Layno Martin married? Who is his wife?

Yes, he is married and a father of two. He keeps his wife and children out of the spotlight for privacy. He has said his wife helped build the business behind the scenes and manages much of the booking support.

What is Alec De Layno Martin height and appearance?

He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 176 lbs. He has black hair, dark brown eyes, an athletic build, and extensive tattoos including full sleeves and a chest piece.

What is Alec De Layno Martin net worth in 2026?

His net worth in 2026 is estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million from tattooing, studio ownership, YouTube revenue, seminars, and brand partnerships. Exact figures are private, but his advance bookings and rates place him among well-paid realism specialists in Las Vegas.

How can I book a tattoo with Astyle Alive?

Booking is by appointment through his official website and Instagram. You submit your idea, placement, size, and reference photos, then wait for a consultation quote. In 2026, wait times average 3 to 4 months for large custom pieces.

Conclusion

Alec De Layno Martin turned steady practice and honest client care into the lasting success of Astyle Alive. From Manila sketches to Las Vegas realism, his 2026 work continues to set a high bar for healing, detail, and trust. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with fellow tattoo fans and leave a comment with your favorite Astyle Alive transformation.

Key Sources:

  • Official Astyle Alive studio statements and booking pages
  • Verified Astyle Alive YouTube interviews and studio vlogs
  • U.S. tattoo convention programs and award listings
  • Inked Magazine features on realism artists

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