Coy

Born in North Charleston, SC, Coy has been an artist since childhood, but his path to a creative career took a unique route. In 2007, he joined the Marine Corps, serving within the intelligence community for the NSA before transitioning to MARSOC. He deployed multiple times on combat operations to Afghanistan and Iraq, where his experiences shaped not only his perspective but also his approach to art.

During a 2016 deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, while serving as part of 8212, 2nd Raider Battalion, Coy brought a small tattoo kit with him and began teaching himself the craft. After returning home, he pursued formal training but found the structure of a traditional apprenticeship difficult to balance with active duty. Undeterred, he continued refining his skills independently. In 2019, he and his wife opened Wet Bucket Tattoo in Sneads Ferry, NC—a subtle nod to the deployment and the teammates who first encouraged his tattooing journey.

Coy was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2021 and is now fully immersed in creating art through graphic design and tattooing. As his shop grew, so did demand for his artwork. Teams, units, and businesses sought out his designs, leading him to establish himself in the world of graphic design. Today, he and his wife own and operate two tattoo shops and a screen-printing studio, creating apparel for their own brands as well as custom designs for military teams, veteran organizations, and small businesses. His artwork has been featured in several published books, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and versatile artist.

Coy’s artistic style stems from an illustrative foundation, enhanced with a neo-traditional flare influenced by his tattooing experience. This fusion of bold, timeless aesthetics with intricate detail allows him to create work that resonates across active-duty, veteran, and civilian markets. His ability to translate powerful themes of service, camaraderie, and identity into visual art makes him a highly sought-after designer for brands looking to connect authentically with these communities.