INTERVIEW WITH

TRAVIS TURPIN

Title

Hey bro, how you doin? Can you introduce yourself and what you do?

Hey man,  I'm Travis Turpin.  I tattoo at Mary Tattoo in Santa Barbara, CA.

How and when did you get into tattoos?  Were you artistic growing up?  What was the point when you realized you weren’t just into tattoos but wanted to actually be a tattooer?

I've been into tattoos since I was a kid.  I remember my older cousins having them and thinking they were so cool. Also certain bands and musicians definitely influenced me.

I've always been into art and drawing, but growing up there was never anything that really caught my eye or made me want to pursue art.

Once I discovered American traditional tattooing, I knew that I had found something that really resonated with me.  I spent a lot of time getting tattooed and collecting flash but didn't really consider tattooing as a career path.  In 2019 a good friend of mine and fellow tattooer kind of encouraged me to go for it.

Tell me about folk art and the role it plays in your style.

I really love how simplistic a lot of folk art can be which I try to incorporate into tattooing.  Very simple at times but extremely powerful.  Often you can tell that it was painted by someone who was most likely self taught, people who make art just for the sake of making art, for no real reason other than to satisfy and fulfill themselves, I really admire that.

I know you’re super into tattoo history and collecting old flash sheets. Is there anything you find more interesting about tattoo culture back in the day as opposed to now? What do you think of the current state of tattooing?

I just really love old flash and old school looking tattoos.  I like how wonky some flash was painted back then.  But I certainly appreciate all eras of tattooing. 
Title

"Often you can tell that it (folk art) was painted by someone who was most likely self taught, people who make art just for the sake of making art, for no real reason other than to satisfy and fulfill themselves, I really admire that."

Title

We met back when I was touring with Backtrack. What got you into hardcore music? Do you feel like that music and culture contributed to who you are as a person today?

My dad played a huge role in getting me into hardcore and punk music.  He was a musician and a watercolor painter; pretty much everything I like today is because of him.  I remember him showing me bands like Black Flag and The Sex Pistols and it blew my mind.  I think hardcore definitely contributed to who I am today.

Let’s shift gears - you’re big into surfing. When did you start surfing and what made you want to start? What is it about surfing that makes you want to keep doing it?

I started surfing when I was really young, probably 9 or 10.  My whole family was big into surfing. It always makes me feel better, it's a great way to clear your head and a great way to remind yourself to be in the moment and be present.  There isn't much that a surf can't fix .
Title

“There isn't much that a surf can't fix.”

Title

I know that you helped with 88 Surfboards. Can you talk about what 88 Surfboards is, what you did there and what you liked about 88?

88 is a soft top surfboard company that started in Australia.  I was introduced to them in 2017 I believe.  I met those guys when they were on a trip out here and we hit it off.  They asked if I wanted to help bring them to the states, so my friend Justin and I hopped on board and started selling them in the US.

For me 88 is just an expression of fun. Riding these boards has brought a lot of joy back into my life. 

Amongst all these things - hardcore, tattooing, surfing - do you find any common threads? Do they intersect anywhere?

They are all things that inspire expression.  They have all been huge outlets for me throughout my life.

How would you describe your style?  Has it been influenced by any of these things we discussed? What do you take into consideration when you get dressed for the day?

I just want to be comfortable haha.  Every year I get older my outfits get increasingly more comfortable.

If money/obligations weren’t a thing, what would you consider the perfect day? What would you do, what would you eat, where would you be, etc.?

Hmmm...my family has a place in the north woods of Wisconsin.  We would spend every summer there growing up, but over the past decade or so we haven't been going as often.  It's my favorite place on earth, I think.

My perfect day would be there with my family. Good breakfast foods and good coffee, swim in the lake, go for a long walk in the woods, couple cokes before dinner and a nice steak.  The perfect day.

INTERVIEW WITH

TRAVIS TURPIN

Title

Hey bro, how you doin? Can you introduce yourself and what you do?

Hey man,  I'm Travis Turpin.  I tattoo at Mary Tattoo in Santa Barbara, CA.

How and when did you get into tattoos?  Were you artistic growing up?  What was the point when you realized you weren’t just into tattoos but wanted to actually be a tattooer?

I've been into tattoos since I was a kid.  I remember my older cousins having them and thinking they were so cool. Also certain bands and musicians definitely influenced me.

I've always been into art and drawing, but growing up there was never anything that really caught my eye or made me want to pursue art.

Once I discovered American traditional tattooing, I knew that I had found something that really resonated with me.  I spent a lot of time getting tattooed and collecting flash but didn't really consider tattooing as a career path.  In 2019 a good friend of mine and fellow tattooer kind of encouraged me to go for it.

Tell me about folk art and the role it plays in your style.

I really love how simplistic a lot of folk art can be which I try to incorporate into tattooing.  Very simple at times but extremely powerful.  Often you can tell that it was painted by someone who was most likely self taught, people who make art just for the sake of making art, for no real reason other than to satisfy and fulfill themselves, I really admire that.

I know you’re super into tattoo history and collecting old flash sheets. Is there anything you find more interesting about tattoo culture back in the day as opposed to now? What do you think of the current state of tattooing?

I just really love old flash and old school looking tattoos.  I like how wonky some flash was painted back then.  But I certainly appreciate all eras of tattooing. 

Title

"Often you can tell that it (folk art) was painted by someone who was most likely self taught, people who make art just for the sake of making art, for no real reason other than to satisfy and fulfill themselves, I really admire that."

Title

We met back when I was touring with Backtrack. What got you into hardcore music? Do you feel like that music and culture contributed to who you are as a person today?

My dad played a huge role in getting me into hardcore and punk music.  He was a musician and a watercolor painter; pretty much everything I like today is because of him.  I remember him showing me bands like Black Flag and The Sex Pistols and it blew my mind.  I think hardcore definitely contributed to who I am today.

Let’s shift gears - you’re big into surfing. When did you start surfing and what made you want to start? What is it about surfing that makes you want to keep doing it?

I started surfing when I was really young, probably 9 or 10.  My whole family was big into surfing. It always makes me feel better, it's a great way to clear your head and a great way to remind yourself to be in the moment and be present.  There isn't much that a surf can't fix .

Title

"There isn't much that a surf can't fix."

Title

I know that you helped with 88 Surfboards. Can you talk about what 88 Surfboards is, what you did there and what you liked about 88?

88 is a soft top surfboard company that started in Australia.  I was introduced to them in 2017 I believe.  I met those guys when they were on a trip out here and we hit it off.  They asked if I wanted to help bring them to the states, so my friend Justin and I hopped on board and started selling them in the US.

For me 88 is just an expression of fun. Riding these boards has brought a lot of joy back into my life. 

Amongst all these things - hardcore, tattooing, surfing - do you find any common threads? Do they intersect anywhere?

They are all things that inspire expression.  They have all been huge outlets for me throughout my life.

How would you describe your style?  Has it been influenced by any of these things we discussed? What do you take into consideration when you get dressed for the day?

I just want to be comfortable haha.  Every year I get older my outfits get increasingly more comfortable.

If money/obligations weren’t a thing, what would you consider the perfect day? What would you do, what would you eat, where would you be, etc.?

Hmmm...my family has a place in the north woods of Wisconsin.  We would spend every summer there growing up, but over the past decade or so we haven't been going as often.  It's my favorite place on earth, I think.

My perfect day would be there with my family. Good breakfast foods and good coffee, swim in the lake, go for a long walk in the woods, couple cokes before dinner and a nice steak.  The perfect day.