The Independence Tattoo

Virginia Beaches newest tattoo parlor. Over 50 years of combined artist experience specializing in classic, bold, tattoos that last a lifetime! Jon Sillyman – With 9 years in this industry I have figured out that I enjoy tattooing the bubbly, super bright, girlie side of things along with American traditional, neotraditional, and anything to do with typography/letters! If you look threw my portfolio you will see that I can do black and grey and a lot of things outside those 4 styles, photo realism being the exception. I firmly believe that as a tattoo artist, my job is to give you “whatever” piece of art you want on “your” body, and to make sure the experience is clean, safe, professional, and most importantly enjoyable. Come check me out at The Independence Tattoo for your next one!
Patrick Loud - I am an imagination interpreter or custom tattoo artist. I don’t try to limit my artistic boundaries by specializing in one particular style. I prefer to do any kind of style the customer or the design might call for. I love pushing my own envelope with each project I take on. I am constantly trying to find new challenges in both art and life to keep me ambitious, hungry and forever seeking knowledge. I started my tattoo career in the Virginia Beach area and learned under David Heydn at an all custom studio called I AM Tattoos. After serving my apprenticeship I worked at I AM for 3 more years then decided it was time to spread my wings. Got a great opportunity to tattoo in Hollywood CA in a really cool shop ran by some great people. I stayed out west building a serious client base in LA and beyond with lots of international collectors as well. I learned a ton out west from a bunch of amazing artists that came thru Ink Kandy. I picked up a bunch of awesome west coast black and grey techniques and continued to build my portfolio to become a more well rounded artist. After the whirlwind of Hollywood had died down a bit, I decided to head back east to slow my life down and concentrate on my art more than I had been. I have made Independence Tattoo my home, and plan on it being so for a very long time to come!
Jeff Malota - Jeff has been tattooing for almost a decade, and in that time has grown to love fine line, detailed work. He is truly an all around tattooer, he loves black and grey but also enjoys doing color pieces. He can give you
the cartoon-iest cartoon and turn around and do a portrait of your pup! A real family man, when Jeff isn’t tattooing you can usually find him with his lovely wife and kids!
Scott Kingman - Scott is a Virginia Beach native that has been tattooing since 2009. I started my tattoo apprenticeship in Portsmouth, VA and shortly after made my way to Norfolk, VA. You can now find me planting my roots at Independence Tattoo in Virginia Beach,VA. I am extremely confident in BOLD line work and bright colors but I enjoy getting into more detailed black and grey tattooing as well. I also enjoy tattooing horror character portraits. I believe your experience should be enjoyable and professional and I aim to keep it that way.
Justin Britt - I am a Norfolk Native, 30 year old, fourth year tattooer. Coming up in Norfolk VA has given me a strong knowledge and respect for traditional tattoo. I personally prefer to tattoo in a color bombed animated new school style. But have always prided myself in being able to bend my style to fit what anyone walking in might request (with the exception of hyper realism). I believe in treating every client as good as possible and act as if they are doing me a favor and not the other way around. I have worked in Norfolk exclusively for the past four years but am excited to see what the beach has to offer. My favorite mediums outside of tattoo include but are not limited to acrylics and markers if I’m at home you can generally find me behind my drafting table or with a pencil, marker, or paint brush behind my ear.