Artist/Co-owner
Independent Tattoo Inc.
Independent Tattoo Inc.
36666 Bluewater Run W.
Unit 3
Selbyville, DE 19975
Work experience
Feb 1997 - Present
2005 - Present
Apr 2013 - Present
Artist/Co-owner
Ancient Art Tattoo
Ancient Art Tattoo was established by Peggi Hurley in 1994. After many years tattooing in Florida, Peggi decided to return to her place of birth to continue the time honored tradition of permanently marking the skin. She has built a reputation for quality, cleanliness and caring which permeates everything that she does.
In 2013 Peggi decided to semi-retire so she sold Ancient Art Tattoo to Matthew Amey, Jason Goldberg, and Martin LaCasse.
Education
2008 - 2012
Skills
Painting
Experienced with many mediums, I am primarily an oil painter.
Photographer
I have been shooting wildlife and nature for a number of years and will continue to explore the many possibilities that photography, as an art form, has to offer.
Tattoo Artist
Tattooing professionally since 1991 and I continue to hone my skills on a daily basis. I have owned and operated Independent Tattoo Inc., located in coastal southern Delaware, since 1997.
I have published two books for the tattoo industry: Skull Reference and Skull Project
Summary
Why make art? Because sometimes ideas and opinions are difficult to express through words. As a result, I often feel compelled to translate concepts into visual statements.As a boy I was indoctrinated into the cultural paradigm that I could “do anything I set my mind to.” That’s what I strive to do - create what I imagine. I conceive an idea, then work through the challenges of its implementation and construction to take the project to its fruition.When exploring an idea I feel a compulsion towards quality craftsmanship, but I am also becoming more intrigued by underlying concepts as I expand my knowledge of the visual arts.My work is influenced by my career as a professional tattoo artist, which has stretched over two decades. The figurative and illustrative aspects of tattoo art is difficult to suppress, and my tattooing experience has led to a desire to include some form of realism into my fine art work.Much of this work is rooted in painting, although recently I have been working with traditional printmaking methods and three-dimensional sculptural pieces. Recent works include a series of portraits in oil on canvas that depict various people with whom I interact, a sculptural piece in which a glass of fresh water sits just out of reach atop a nine foot tall pedestal, and a series of screen printed images on paper that represent America’s cultural fascination with guns.The idea of using my work to inspire others to think is an exciting and fulfilling interaction for me. Starting a conversation through my art is a complicated process that begins with imagination, rises through creation, and hopefully takes life as an inspiration to others. I find myself constantly repeating this mantra: Imagine. Create. Inspire.
Various awards and accolades.
2012
Plein Air Brandywine ValleyJuried Art Competition
Uncommon Goods - wall art challenge winner
Brooklyn, New York
Not Yet Famous Artists Revealed - Juried group show - honorable mention
Wilmington, Delaware
2011
Plein Air Brandywine Valley
Juried Art Competition
Summer Research Fellowship
University of Delaware
Not Yet Famous Artists Revealed - Juried group show - May 6th
Wilmington, Delaware
2010
Dean's List - Fall Semester
University of Delaware
Juried Undergraduate Student Exhibition - April 2010 - Painting Award
University of Delaware
Dean's List - Spring Semester
University of Delaware
Not Yet Famous Artists Revealed - Juried Art Show 2010 - Painting Award
University of Delaware
2009
Dean's List - Fall Semester
University of Delaware
Dean's List - Spring Semester
University of Delaware
Undergraduate Juried Art Exhibition 2009 - Illustration award
University of Delaware
2008
Dean's List - Fall Semester
University of Delaware
Rehoboth Art League
70th Annual Members' Fine Art Exhibition
Taiwan International Tattoo Convention
Best Tattoo of the day
2006
Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention
1st place overall male
2nd International London Tattoo Convention Oct. 6-7-8
Certificate of participation
2005
1st International London Tattoo Convention
Certificate of participation
NYC Tattoo Convention
3rd place best overall tattooed person
2004
Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention
1st place best color back piece
2003
Forged in Ink
3rd Place best sleeve (arm or leg) male
2002
1st Annual Washington DC Tattoo Expo
Top three artists choice - Best Color Small
2nd Annual Tattoo Contest
Sponsored by Vertigo Tattoo & the Pit
Best overall
5th Annual NYC Tattoo Convention
2nd place best color
Tattoo the Earth
Oakland, CA
2nd place overall male
2001
Massachusetts Tattoo Festival
1st place Best Overall Male
Cleveland Rocks Tattoo Show
Most Covered
1 st place Best Male Color
3rd Annual Obbey's Tattoo Convention
1 st place Best Sleeve
1 st place Best Back Piece
2 nd best Best Portrait
4th Annual NYC Tattoo Convention
3rd place best overall tattooed person
2000
8th Annual Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
1st place best sleeve
2nd place large tattoo
3rd Annual NYC Tattoo Convention
2nd place best color tattoo
1999
Generation XPO
1st Best back piece
1st best sleeve
1st best portrait
10th Annual Tattoo Convention Berlin
2nd place most realistic tattoo
The New Extreme Millenium 2000 Tattoo Extravaganza
Best tattoo sleeve
Best of show
1998
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
1st place best black & gray
1st place large tattoo
2nd place best sleeve
Forged in Ink
1st place best black & gray male large
1997
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival November
1st place best black & white tattoo
Mardi Gras Tattoo Convention
New Orleans Louisiana
1st place color back piece male
1996
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
2nd place best sleeve
1st place most realistic
