Heart Drawn Tattoo now open in Lewes

After honing his craft in New Jersey and Maryland tattoo parlors for the better part of the last decade, tattoo artist Curtis Adams is ready for the challenge of owning his own studio.

“It was just time to branch out and open something up on my own,” Adams said in the studio of his new tattoo parlor, Heart Drawn Tattoo in Lewes.

Located on southbound Route 1 across from Bethany Blues, Adams and longtime partner Carrie Hildebrand opened the Cape Region’s newest tattoo studio May 1.

During a tour of the studio, Hildebrand said that except for spending all their extra time turning an old and tired attorney’s office into an appealing tattoo studio, it was going well.

Hildebrand, a graphic artist for 20 years, will have space for an art studio at Heart Drawn. She said the art classroom is just about complete, and classes for all ages will be offered.

Adams said he began tattooing after a career in the print industry just wasn’t working for him. He said he had always enjoyed drawing and tattoos. One day, after showing some of his artwork to a friend, he said, he decided to do an apprenticeship at a studio in Maryland, and he hasn’t looked back.

Adams was hesitant to say he prefers one style of tattoo over another. After years of working on walk-in customers who pick out of a book from a wide selection of offerings, he’s tattooed just about every style.

“I like to do it all,” he said.

Adams said he will take walk-in clients, but he prefers appointments because he hand-draws his tattoos, and it takes time to make a high-quality drawing. He said he wants to make sure he’s got enough time for each customer.

Adams said studio cleanliness is a top priority. Everything is disposable and used only one time, he said.

“It just helps ease people’s minds when they see me open a fresh pack,” he said.

For the time being, Adams and Hildebrand are the only two working out of the space, but there is room for more artists. Adams said after the space is completely refurbished, he’ll begin bringing in guest artists from across Delaware and other states.

He recognizes there are a number of tattoo studios along the Route 1 corridor, but he said the Cape Region’s population is exploding, and there’s room. “There are a lot of talented artists around here,” he said.

Adams and Hildebrand will be celebrating the grand opening of the tattoo studio at noon, Saturday, July 28. “Everybody is welcome,” said Hildebrand.

Heart Drawn Tattoo is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. Adams said there is a 10 percent discount for military and police officers.

For information on Heart Drawn Tattoo, 18354 Coastal Highway, call 302-569-8199, email tattoo@heartdrawn.com or go to heartdrawn.com.