Meet Travis Koenig | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Travis Koenig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Travis, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The main thing that took me down this route, is having parents trapped in the corporate world. I’ve experienced layoffs, reapplying for their own job, HR nightmares, and corporate downsizing with them as a kid.
I never wanted to have my livelihood contained in the hands of somebody that had no care for me, or my family. Tattooing gives me the opportunity to truly be in charge of myself. I only have myself to blame for any failures, and I give credit to my clients for my meager successes.
Standing in this perspective lets me know and understand smaller local businesses, and know the stresses of entrepreneurship personally.
Whenever possible I shop locally, only leave positive reviews, and show patience when a business register goes down.
The long nights and early mornings, dreading of a slow month, the preparations for the week, are all worth what has been built overtime.
I may never retire, but I couldn’t say I would even want to.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since a kid, I’ve always regarded myself as a creative. But I was never interested in any of the mainstream types of art, or imagery. But as soon as I got my first Thrasher Magazine and started seeing the art that was on skateboards, my world exploded. From there I started noticing metal bands concert shirts, and so many different tattoo magazines were coming out. As soon as I realized art could be a bird skeleton on a skate deck, or a tattered mummy skull on a shirt, or a dragon swirling around an arm, I couldn’t help but be inspired.
From there I couldn’t stop drawing!
My goal was tattooing.
I had no intentions at 18 to make it a lifelong career, at that age I had no intensions of anything beyond that day. But it soon became my life. I realized that there needs to be an unhealthy obsession with the craft and the art that I can produce.
In the late 90s is when custom tattooing was getting started in Denver, and there was a new type of tattooer. I was fortunate to have a mentor that was immersed in the custom side of tattooing. So, I learned early on to draw, draw, then draw more. I learned about all the new styles that were coming out, the new equipment, and the new artists.
It was a renaissance!
The growth, and diversity of thought and art was inspiring. Crazy that it was all just before the internet. But with so many amazing artists, I had no shortage of motivation. And not wanting to get left in the dust, I was compelled to get better. Not for fame, or notoriety, but because I knew I could, and that I am my own obstacle.

Even now I can’t really say that I have a single defined style. It’s a mashup of everything I’ve loved, studied, experimented, reproduced, refined, tore down and build back up.
All art needs growth, it’s unfortunate that bands are best remembered for their first few albums. I want to keep pushing, growing and reinventing as I go. Every day I want to give the best, knowing that yesterday was a lesson, and that there is no end in sight. It’s the journey, not the destination I guess.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A whole week in the city with nothing to do but indulge, sounds expensive and fattening! Denver has a great music scene; the Colfax venues has always been my favorites. I have so many memories shared between the Ogden, Bluebird and Fillmore. So, a couple shows for sure. A bar crawl between The Lions Lair, Squire, and Mezcal all also on Colfax would be in order. Following up with late night snacks at Pete’s Kitchen. That would be a proper Colfax introduction.
The city is amazing, but the state is great. Taking the train from Union Station to Glenwood Springs has been a favorite in my family. That town has great history, and ample opportunities to leave my money in smaller towns.
Devils Head Lookout Trail is a breathtaking hike. Not the hardest or longest, but spectacular at the top.
I’m a sucker for water slides, and rollercoasters. I prefer the smaller town and county fairs, but will resort to Denver’s bigger attractions like Lakeside, Elitches and Water World.
Obviously, the trip will have to end at DIA, so a lengthy conspiratorial introduction about Blucifer, the armageddon murals, and the lizard people in the basement will be in order before I see them off.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, this answer can go in so many directions.
I’ve always tried to be surrounded by forward thinking people. I really got that from my parents early on. So, whenever I had ideas or inspirations, I was already blessed with upbeat personalities to keep my pushing even when I felt stuck in a rut.
I was persistent enough for my tattoo mentor to take me on and show me the ropes in the tattoo world.
Along with every single client I’ve worked with. Each project I work on with somebody inspires me with new ideas, directions, concepts, and images. I couldn’t be where I am at now without the trust and support of every individual I’ve worked with.
Lastly, as cliché as it is. My wife and kids have given me the support and discipline needed to be able to do what I do. They’ve pulled me out of dark spots, and were there to celebrate the summits.
The only thing I do is make pretty drawings on people. But every single person I’ve encountered along the way, good or bad, has gifted me this opportunity.
I’m truly standing on the shoulders of thousands of giants.

Website: https://traviskoenigtattoos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travisktattoos