About Pepper
Born a Wisconsinite, at the age of 14 Pepper had dreamed about becoming a tattoo artist. Once turning 16, she sought out an apprenticeship by going to different studios in the Milwaukee area showing them her high school art portfolio. No one really took this 16 year old seriously. Hell, why should they have? However Pepper was determined to get her foot in the door somehow. She had her big break when a good friend introduced her to a local artist who after seeing her work had decided to give her a shot. It wasn’t immediate though. That chance came a few months after her 17th birthday. A senior in high school, Pepper would go to school half the day and then leave early to take her apprenticeship the other half on a high school work program. Upon her 18th birthday, which fell around graduation, she had achieved her goal of becoming a full time tattoo artist.
This accomplishment was great but still wasn’t enough for Pepper. She also dreamed of creating photorealistic tattoos and yearned to learn more. After a couple of years tattooing in Wisconsin she had an offer she couldn’t refuse. Hardly believing it was true, she jumped at the chance to work in Indiana with Monte and Joshua Carlton who taught her the base of what she knows now. From there she sought more knowledge and was offered other wonderful opportunities in Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. Throughout the course of her now 20 + year career, she had decided to pursue them all and has come out the better for it. By taking these opportunities she has not only learned a lot about her craft, but herself as well.
Always the ambitious one, Pepper enjoys traveling to conventions not only to be around her peers and attend seminars, but to compete as well. Since the start of her career Pepper has won numerous awards from across the US and hopes to eventually make her way overseas. Also she has been featured in multiple publications ranging from newspapers, magazines, and even radio. Currently Pepper is married to Bart Andrews, and together they own and operate Unify Tattoo Company located in St. Augustine and Palatka, FL. In addition to this Pepper is also a former host of the Cape Fear Tattoo & Arts Expo formerly held in Wilmington, NC. And a former host of the Imperial Tattoo & Art Festival formerly held in Jacksonville, FL.
When not at a show or in the studio Pepper enjoys spending her time with good friends, family, and the outdoors. Being a ‘backyard tourist’ is one of her favorite things for whatever location she has found herself in. Her natural curiosity of the world around her coupled with her passion for travel only fuel her wanderlust. Be on the lookout for Pepper as you just might see her around your hometown.
If you would like to purchase digital or physical prints of Pepper's artwork, please check out her website, Designs By Pepper Art by clicking HERE.
To make a tattoo appointment with Pepper it is best to send an e-mail expressing the ideas that you have along with photo reference. Please know that Pepper will not replicate another person's tattoo, as she believes each person is an individual, and their tattoo should be designed directly for them. Due to increasing popularity and demand, Pepper has limited availability and is selective with tattoo ideas proposed from potential clients. Currently her wait time is four months.
If interested in booking with Pepper, please know she selects pieces that go along best with her style and interests. She believes that there is the right artist for each tattoo, therefore she prefers to be paired with clients who are like minded which she feels yeilds the best tattoo experience all around.
Some guidelines and requirements for tattoo appointments are:
- Pepper absolutely does not do Japanese, Biomechanical, and American Traditional. She enjoys and respects these styles, but for something like this she suggests checking out Bart or another artist's work at the studio.
- Pepper does not do large/advanced cover-ups. Smaller pieces she is willing to cover, but this needs to be determined by a consultaton or photos of the existing tattoo first. For large/advanced cover-ups, please check out her husband, Bart's work.
- Pepper works best with clients who are willng to award her full creative reign over any image or concept. She prefers the freedom to create and believes through this the best obtainable design is achievable.
- Pepper is currently only focusing on black and gray tattoos with a preference for portraiture, realism, trash polka, abstract, and floral/feminine designs. She mainly does large-scale work and has a minimum tattoo time of three hours.
- Pepper requires a consultation before any actual tattoo appointment is made. In person is best, but when traveling from a long distance (1.5 hrs or greater) e-mail is acceptable. That way she can get a feeling for who you are, what you are looking for, what is achievable, and if you both are a good fit for one another as artist/client. From there an actual tattoo appointment will be set. Please know that if Pepper feels a different artist will be more suitable for your piece, she will express this as her primary goal is to give the best tattoo possible. Even if this means guiding someone toward the right artist or the option of removal.
Thank you for your interest and support, we hope to see you soon!
Facebook: facebook.com/pepperspicytattoos
Instagram: Pepperspicy
About Bart Andrews
Hailing from North Carolina, Bart Andrews spends his days pumping out a seemingly endless stream of quality tattoo work. Bart began his career in Jacksonville over ten years ago and like many artists, struggled to find the apprenticeship that would get him on the inside of the industry. Though some time would pass before he found himself in the seat he dreamt of, he was already on the way to becoming one of the region’s most successful tattooists. Bart would continue to hone his craft through repetition and as time passed he consistently narrowed the gap of skill between himself and local artists he had grown to respect.
With 20 + years of experience under his belt, Bart’s work has all the qualities that one looks for in a refined, professional tattoo.. His interests include everything to color realism, black and gray, to traditional Americana and Japanese. Bart’s natural desire to be a versatile artist has only been strengthened by his proximity to the Marine base. With people coming from all over the world, Bart has the ability to give every client exactly what they are looking for without hesitation.
Bart is also traveling more frequently these days. He finds time in his schedule to guest spot and attend a number of tattoo conventions from which the walls of his workspace are reflecting. Having won numerous awards for a variety of tattoo styles from across the US, he is not stopping there. Bart is also the creator of the Cape Fear Tattoo & Arts Expo which had occurred annually every April in Wilmington, North Carolina. And a partner in the former Imperial Tattoo & Art Festival (2018 - 2019) which was held in downtown Jacksonville, FL. Now married to Pepper, they currently own/operate Unify Tattoo Company, located in St. Augustine, FL and Palatka, FL.
Be on the lookout for Bart whether it be in North Carolina, California, or anywhere in between. With his dedication, motivated personality, and his passion for the industry he surely can’t be missed and he has no plans of stopping here. Keep your eye on Bart to stay on top of travel and future events!
About Whitney Schiller
About Rob Jeff
Born and raised in New England, Rob spent most of his cold winter days indoors with a pencil and sketchbook learning to draw. After majoring in Art in school, he attended college where he earned a degree in graphic design from the New England Institute of Technology. After college Rob got interested in learning to tattoo, and with a few years of practice on friends and family, he got an apprenticeship. In 2008 Rob earned his tattoo license and, in 2012 he attended his first tattoo convention and quickly became thirsty for information. Rob soon took up oil painting as a way to practice composition and style outside of tattooing. After taking dozens of seminars and working with some of the best in the industry, Rob has combined the knowledge from his art background, and his tattoo career to bring a unique style of black and grey, and color tattooing. With his New England upbringing Rob enjoys tattooing wildlife portraits and nature scenes as well as skulls, flowers and other organic imagery.
About Jessica Johnson
Jessica started as an apprentice at Unify Tattoo Co. in March of 2022. She is a self-taught artist excited to learn the trade of tattooing and to grow in general as a working artist.
Always interested in painting and creating art, Jessica decided to make a change and switch career paths after graduating with a BA in Management Information Systems and spending 5 years in the corporate world. She spent her time painting and developing her artistic skills, at the same time raising her 2 sons while her husband worked to support their family. She loves drawing along with painting murals and canvases using acrylic and watercolor mediums outside of tattooing. A deep connection with the natural world alongside an interest in the surreal drives her inspiration.
Currently, Jessica enjoys tattooing designs that support her work on developing her personal style and versatility as an artist. She loves surfing, adventure, and spending time with her friends and family.
About Kenel Figueroa
Kenel Figueroa was born in Dorado, Puerto Rico. He has always showed interest in drawing, art, and has attended a few art schools and seminars in PR.
His passion for art and tattoos lead Kenel to a shop called Tradiciones where he met his now friend and mentor who alongside two other well known tattoo artist gave him the opportunity and tools to learn craft he quickly was interested in the bold style of American Traditional.
In 2022 Kenel got his tattoo license and started working at a shop where he learned many other styles in tattooing and his hunger for tattoos grew more and more he likes to work American traditional or neotraditional style tattoos.
At this time, Kenel has attended 3 tattoo conventions in PR and done guest spots in Florida He decided to move to the U.S. to face new goals, challenges ,meet other artists and expand his knowledge in tattoos.
You can check more of Kenel’s work and info on his IG: Kenel_fig