Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Harvey-williams
Hi Travis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey!
My name is Travis, I was born to a large family of musicians and artist! I began playing music and creating music at the age of 8-9 years old when I got my first guitar. In high school I had many bands in which I would draw flyers for shows and started to create music and art for myself as well as for school classes. Then in college I started to get an art degree but realized college was not for me. After I worked many years doing construction and even tried electrical. Never thinking I could ever make money creating art I came across tattooing. I had 5 tattoos from the age 18 at this point and the rest is history! I quit electrical got a full time job that would allow me to get my apprenticeship. I also had just had my first child with my wife and we sold our house to live in a camper to make ends meet and follow my dream of tattooing. The universe provided and here I am!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, I got my apprenticeship in a shop and got licensed and it took some sacrifices of time from my family. I would go to work at 6am run a route for a soda company then when I was finished with my route I would go up to the shop to get my hours in and watch and learn as much as I could! This meant late nights coming home to my family.
Now the shop I worked in for 2ish years is closed down so I am opening a private studio. So yes the road to where I am now wasn’t the easiest, but now I am a business owner of my own shop!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Bird House Tattoo?
The Bird House Tattoo is a private studio in a record shop! I do custom designed tattoos for my clients. The Bird House was a very fitting name I thought because birds, bird watching, and drawings are my special interest. I guess they just make me feel at peace and I love all the symbolism or simplicity they represent.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
It’s all about the clients! I’ve had clients that have gotten first tattoos I’ve done and still come see me and sing my praises! It’s insane to see how much I’ve grown and they let me know! Also I have to give my wife a huge shout out because she supported me and helped me follow through on my dream of becoming a tattoo artist. She builds me up and is my foundation! Also have to thank Black arrow for taking me in and helping me get my apprenticeship and license!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebirdhouseart.net
- Instagram: @travis.hw.art
- Facebook: Travis.hw.art
