PJ Ferrante [aka Poop Jr.] PJ was born and raised in Southern New Jersey right outside of Philadelphia, PA. PJ attended Rutgers University and graduated with a degree in Psychology Magna Cum Laude. In 1996 during his college years he was introduced to tattooing and met up with some friends who owned a local tattoo shop. After receiving another tattoo he was hooked and began hanging out and apprenticing. He apprenticed under these award-winning artists in NJ for about three years. While he was learning the tattoo & body piercing trade he worked in a separate full time position that used his Psychology degree. He was assisting people who had been injured and were now living with Brain Trauma. PJs love for people and helping others motivated him to spend the next several years working full time to help those injured move forward with their lives and regain some of their skills. Even though PJs time is currently limited, these amazing people are still a big part of PJs life. In 1999 PJ headed west and landed in Santa Barbara, California. Upon his arrival he searched for employment in the local Tattoo Shops and found nothing that fit his needs. A few weeks later he met another local artist looking for a new place to thrive and they decided to open a new shop in Santa Barbara. Energy Tattoo opened its doors on April 15, 2000. Energy is now owned and operated as a "Mom & Pop" shop by PJ and his wife Nic. Currently Energy is thriving in its downtown Santa Barbara location. Most recently PJ Ferrante was featured in Savage Tattoo magazine. Over the summer he was awarded "Tattoo of the Day" by Tattoo Magazine at their 2003 tattoo convention Artistry in Ink . This "Tattoo of the Day" award was won by PJ both days of this event and is considered an esteemed award by peers in his industry. Nic Ferrante Nic traveled out west to California from New Jersey 1999. Tired of cold winters and ready for a change, Nic hit the road with PJ in search for a new challenge. She brings a traditional fine arts education to Energy and its patrons with her degree in Painting and Art History from Tyler School of Art (at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA). Nic has been with Energy Tattoo since its birth and has worked hard to learn the tattoo and body piercing industry. Currently she is apprenticing full time under PJ Ferrante and looks forward to offering her services to the public in the next year. Check back later for her artwork and tattoos.