Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Willis.
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started with art since I was a kid. Skateboarding and surfing culture, and the art was what I really gravitated towards when I was a teenager. I’ve always been a beach boy, and love the ocean. I grew up in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. that’s where I started my apprenticeship in 2012 for tattooing. I’ve always been intrigued by the art form. People walk around with your art everyday, and have stories to go with the artwork. I’ve tattooed in S.C., N.C., G.A., and now based In Orlando Florida. Tattooing on International Dr. kind of reminds me of home as it was a big tourist destination, except on
I-Drive we get people from all around the world. I’ve been at Good Vibrations Ink 2 for going on four years now, and it’s amazing to hear how other people live across the globe. Then have your art go back to where they’re from. These days I get inspiration from all types of things. I love doing character designs such as anything Disney, any old cartoons, anything from Universal. Now we have Epic Universe which will bring in Nintendo, Dark Universe (old school horror movies) and more Harry Potter. I also love doing ocean, pirate, and nature themed tattoos as well. That’s why I go by Pyrat Tattoos. Being versatile keeps me from getting bored. I do bright color work, watercolors, and black and grey. You give me an idea, and I’ll bring it to life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Tattooing definitely isn’t for the faint hearted. You have to live, eat, breathe it. It can’t be a hobby because everyday is a learning experience. The artist you work with end up being your second family. You miss a lot things with your kids, and family. Also finding the right shop for you to grow in is a big obstacle. You want to be around other artists that push you to grow mentally, and artistically.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My favorite types of tattoos to are usually bright colorful, but I also do black and grey. I love to do characters such as anything Disney, Universal Studios, video game characters, 80’s-90’s cartoon characters. The brighter the better. I also love doing sea creatures, ocean themed and nature themed tattoos as well.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was laid back, but also had wild times with my friends. In my younger days my whole neighborhood pretty much hung out younger and older. That’s where I started skateboarding, and riding bmx bikes. I also took Hapkido till my late teens where I got my black belt. In the same plaza was our local skate and surf shop where we would hangout. From there we would find whatever we could to skate on around the beach. That’s also when I started getting into graffiti art, and drawing skate/surf designs. I also got into drawing band art around that time. Music, skateboarding, and surfing have always been big inspirations for me, and still are. The beach was always my zen spot, anytime I was down or just needed to think that’s where I would go. In my mid teens I started going to a lot metal concerts either at The House of Blues or our little local venues. I love to still travel with my wife to all kinds of concerts, but more into the reggae scene these days. We also enjoy family days at the beaches, springs, and Disney.
Pricing:
- The shop minimum starts at $100 and goes from there on size, placement, and detail.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/pyrat_tattoos
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/PyratTattoos
