Meet Jack Peppiette from Scotland, who specializing in large ornamental and pattern work style tattooing.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
My names Jack Peppiette, a blackwork tattoo artist from Edinburgh, Scotland, predominantly specializing in large ornamental and patternwork style tattooing.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
I don’t exactly remember when I first became fascinated with tattoos, but from a very early age I knew I wanted to be covered in tattoo’s. Growing up with a lot of punk and metal influence as a kid, it was an easy to see my favourite bands and become interested in the artwork that went side by side with the music.
Your portfolio mostly highlights ornamental works. Could you tell us more?
I think it’s good to start trying out many different styles, I loved doing black traditional tattoos and can do a passable portrait, but ornamental and patternwork has always been a major draw for me. It is definitely the style I found the most natural and fun to draw and create with.
How and when did you start tattooing?
I was living in France as a ski bum in the Alps after I finished school. After a few years of that, I decided it was time to get a job I cared about, and tattooing was the only thing that really came to mind! I went around shops with my portfolio and was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship at Studio XIII, a street shop in the center of Edinburgh, in 2013.
Where are you based?
At Insider Studio in Edinburgh, Scotland
How would you describe the tattoo scene in your country these days?
The art scene in Scotland is incredible with many amazing artists, however the Tattoo scene has been up and down in recent years. I’ve seen a similar trend around the world recently, where the rising cost of living and oversaturation of the market has led to many talented artists not being as busy as they once were.
How would you define your tattoo style?
I usually describe my style under the general umbrella of “ornamental”. I have had many different inspirations from other patterns and styles of tattooing around the globe such as Mehndi, Kalinga and Japanese to try to create some recognizable and unique elements in my work.
What’s the main source of inspiration for your tattoos?
My main inspiration lately has been the construction and flow of large scale Japanese tattooing. Trying to incorporate more movement in to my larger projects has been a particularly fun way of trying to progress my art to the next level.
Balancing work and home life in 2024 is always a challenge, with a wait list that is ever-growing it’s often difficult to find enough time to tattoo everyone who is looking for work while also having a real home life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?I have an amazing client base, whose trust and dedication is always astounding. I love creating large scale pieces, and the fact that I have so many people who are interested in my work and willing to travel from all over the globe is incredible!
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
My first convention, I was signed up for on the train. I was a junior tattooer and my boss at the time had fallen out with one of the artists at the shop, and fired him en route to the show. So I was given a few spare machines and told to get to work! Terrifying but a pretty successful experience, definitely a baptism of fire.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?Mostly to keep my name out there and to see my friends! It’s good to stay out in the real world and have people see your work in real life and meet people in person rather than just images on a screen.
How do you think tattoo conventions could get even better for the artists and the public?
I’ve been to one with free beer, free food and a Masseur for artists? That was pretty cool! I think conventions always benefit from good food and good music.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
I have a couple of favorites, Gods Of Ink in Frankfurt has an incredible line-up and with a lot of friendly faces and a great show. Bristol tattoo convention is always my favorite UK convention, both Miki and Fil put on great shows! I think a lot of the reason they are both so successful is they put a lot of work into building a good rapport with artists and advertising the show, so they are always busy.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Create a portfolio and get tattooed by artists you really like, make connections, it’s the best way to get an apprenticeship. Put in the hard work, and it will be worth it in the end.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
I have a many people whose work I am a huge fan of, but notably, I probably wouldn’t be doing the style I have developed today without the Influence of Thomas Hoopers work. There have been many influences and inspirations since then, but this was undoubtedly the first.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
I had always had my sights set on working the London Tattoo convention at the Tobacco Docks. The first time I was invited to this was huge for me, and working in the same room with a lot of the people I look up to in the industry definitely felt like a huge accomplishment in my career (along with the ever lurking sense of Imposter Syndrome)
How do you stay at the top of your game?
For me, I like to experiment with mixing different forms and styles, I am very lucky at Insider Tattoo that we get to collaborate together a lot on big projects. Myself and my good friends Olivia Chell and Jason Corbett regularly do large projects, mixing my ornamental work with Chells full colour floral Japanese style and Jasons abstract blackwork. It’s something we love to do, which pushes us in new directions and allows us to do things no one has tried before.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
I do paint, but apart from lockdown during Covid-19, I rarely have the time anymore!
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
My goals are to complete some large bodysuits and projects I have going at the moment, seeing a lot of the big ideas come to fruition is always a very rewarding part of the job.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
I hope this has been an interesting glimpse into me, my work and my process, and that hopefully there may be one little piece in here that might inspire or help in some way.
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