Pepper
Pepper is co-owner of Unify Tattoo Co. & Fine Art Gallery with her husband, Bart Andrews. 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 13 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 over seas. In addition to this she has been featured in multiple publications ranging from newspapers, magazines, and even radio. Pepper and Bart now cohost the Cape Fear Tattoo & Arts Expo held annually every April in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.
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.
Bart Andrews
Bart Andrews is co-owner of Unify Tattoo Co. & Fine Art Gallery with his lovely wife, Pepper. Bart began his career in Jacksonville, NC 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. Andrews 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 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 been motivation to push him to work hard. 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 occurs annually every April in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Now teamed up with Pepper as cohost, their combined knowledge and love for the industry will only make the show a must for the community.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 by checking out bartandrews.com to stay on top of travel and future events!