Artists

JOHN RIPPEY

Born and raised in Frederick County, John was interested in art from a young age. Like many tattooers of John's generation, he was influenced by skateboard graphics, Album art, and graffiti.
In 2005 John began apprenticing a classic Electric Tattoo. Working in a street shop helped round out his skill set, leading to proficiency in multiple styles. Branching out through conventions and guest spots invoked a desire to relocate and learn from other artists.
Coinciding with the birth of his first son in 2011, John and his family decided to move to Akron Ohio. His time in Ohio was inspirational and provided a renewed sense of purpose. John eventually decided to return to Frederick and in 2013 welcome his second son.
After years of honing his craft, John has developed an appreciation for multiple styles, specifically designs of a traditional vernacular, both Eastern and Western. With an eye for old-school aesthetics- bold lines, black shading, bright colors, he enjoys doing anything from walkin style tattoos, to large scale custom pieces.

Gary Gerhardt

Gary Gerhardt started tattooing in 2006 after completing a 2 year apprenticeship at Little Vinnies Tatttoos in Baltimore, Md. He worked at Little Vinnies Westside location (a high volume walk in / street shop) , where he learned multiple styles of tattooing. Gary enjoys anything from the simplest walk - in style tattoo to large scale custom work. He also enjoys script lettering, black and gray and american traditional. Gary tries to be able to do whatever walks in the door.
After Vinnies, Gary worked in San Diego, California and then eventually moved back to Maryland, where in 2014 he got the opportunity to work along side some of his favorite tattooers at Classic Electric Tattoo. Now in 2017 He has partnered with fellow artist and good friend John Rippey to bring you Key City Tattoo!!

NATE SPRENKLE

Nate Sprenkle was born and raised in York Pennsylvania. With an artistic eye from an early age Nate soaked up inspiration from movies and sports. Moving to Philadelphia after high school Nate graduated from Tyler School of Art with a BFA degree in Printmaking and Painting.

Apprenticing under Drew Rash at Glenside just outside of Philadelphia. Drawn to bold traditional tattoos and anything pop culture related Nate continues to grow as an artist and tattooer. Enjoying custom tattoos as well as any walk-in.

TIM HUCK

Tim Learned to tattoo from John Rippey and Gary Gerhardt, the owners of Key City Tattoo. He enjoys the traditional american style of tattooing, as well as more illustrative black and grey work inspired by D.I.Y and punk show fliers. Outside of the shop, Tim enjoys Jiu-Jitsu, skateboarding, taking photos, making zines, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

John Glessner

John Glessner grew up in rural Pennsylvania, which is where he started his career in tattooing through an apprenticeship at age 17. Being a country boy he always dreamed of moving to the big city, and as soon as the opportunity presented itself, off he went. Tattooing was the ticket that brought him all over our beautiful nation, and Europe, through guest spots and conventions, until he finally landed in sunny California where he met his wife-to-be. After a couple of years in Los Angeles they moved back to Baltimore to welcome their firstborn son, whose arrival was followed by the family moving over seas, to Sweden, for a couple of years to be closer to his wife’s family. Being in Sweden also opened up for further opportunities to travel and work in other European countries. They eventually came back to Maryland in 2017, welcomed their second son to the family, and John joined the crew at Key City Tattoo in 2018.

In his 20 years in tattooing John has had the opportunity to work with many talented artists, and different shops, which has all helped to shape him in to the well rounded artist he is today. John enjoys anything from traditional designs to tricked out custom pieces. “Your designs or mine”.

Liv estep

Liv joins Key City after piercing in Carroll County MD since 2014. During her pre KCT days she specialized in oral and below the neck piercings, and now brings her focus to curated ear piercings and high end jewelry! Liv strives to provide personalized service to give each customer the jewelry and placement they are truly searching for! In her free time Liv enjoys times with her mini dachshund, 6 cats and 3 children!

matty goldstein

Matty Goldstein hails from the deep woods of Easton Connecticut where he early on developed a love of painting, mixed-media, sculpture, and art history. He completed his formal education at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 2005. Over the years he traveled the country while working odd jobs and operating as a freelance artist. In 2010, he settled in Georgia with his wife and beloved dogs. It was while in Athens, GA that Matty decided to utilize his artistic talents by apprenticing as a tattoo artist. He has been tattooing professionally since 2011 and has worked at various shops in Athens. He credits most of his knowledge to fellow artist and mentor, Chris Parry, who he worked closely with at one of Athens’ most popular studios.
Matty moved with his family to Maryland in 2019 and worked in Rockville until 2021. As a Frederick resident, Matty appreciates that he now works close to home and can be a part of his community. He is versatile in various styles, but prefers American Traditional designs, or anything “weird”. He is very enthusiastic about rock n’ roll, heavy metal, and macabre-themed tattoos. In his spare time, he paints, enjoys woodworking, and collecting strange objects. Ask him about his dogs.

jenna harris

Jenna Harris was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia and has since lived all over the east coast. She found most of her inspiration to be an artist from growing up in Richmond, Virginia. While homeschooled she picked up various art mediums, and wanted to become a tattoo artist from a young age.
At 21 she started apprenticing at a shop in New Bern, North Carolina. She has since relocated to Maryland with her husband, her two sons and her two dogs.
She enjoys tattooing black and grey traditional mostly, but is well versed in color traditional as well.