Matthew Amey

Berlin, Maryland
302-462-5510
[email protected]

Artist/Designer

Work experience

2016Present

Artist/Designer

Wooden Octopus

Fine Art, Fine Things. Created in Berlin, MD

Feb 1997Present

Artist/Co-owner

Independent Tattoo Inc.

36666 Bluewater Run W.

Unit 8

Selbyville, DE 19975

Education

20082012

Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA)

Skills

Design

Proficient with digital sculpting platforms with an extensive knowledge of 3D printing and production.

Drawing/Painting

Experienced with many mediums, I am primarily an oil painter.

Photography

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.

Tattooing

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.

2015

2nd Place - Men's Fashion Design Contest

Pinshape.com

2013

Art Institute and Gallery - Form, Integrity and Expressive Power award

Art and History of Tattoo

Art Institute and Gallery - Best in Show

Portrait and Figure show

2012

Plein Air Brandywine Valley

Juried 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