Travis Clark

I’ve been tattooing for almost 20 years, starting around 2006 or 2007. I apprenticed under Travis Kelly and received additional mentorship from Blenner Silva on the north side of Atlanta, Georgia, at a shop called Planet Ink.

Currently, I primarily work in Black and Grey and Modern Traditional, though I often pull influences from other styles. Japanese imagery has been appearing in my sketchbooks for several years.

What draws me to tattooing is craftsmanship and time — the idea of creating work that endures and changes gracefully over time. The concept reminds me of the Shelly poem Ozymandias:

“Look upon my Works, ye Mighty, and despair.”

I like to believe that what separates my work is a depth and analytical quality shaped by my experiences and perspective. I enjoy leaving some mystery for the viewer,  a kind of artistic “black box” for people to interpret in their own way.

I’m especially fond of skulls, fascinated by their forms, textures, and symbolism. I also enjoy incorporating fantasy elements like spikes, chainmail, and high-adventure themes.

Outside tattooing, my work is influenced by philosophy and surfing. Style matters,  not just doing something well, but how it looks when you do it.

When I’m not tattooing, you’ll probably find me surfing, studying waves, reading, exploring marine life, and enjoying the beach.