Today we’d like to introduce you to Brody Williams

Hi Brody , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My journey to become a tattooer took about a decade to materialize. I originally began a traditional apprenticeship back in 2012. That lasted about 1.5 years before the shop I was at closed down and I was left without a place to continue. I pivoted to illustration and design work for companies like Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling, doing tshirt designs for their professional wrestlers. Fast track to 2022 when I linked back up with the artist I had apprenticed under all those years prior. He had opened up his own studio and told me the opportunity was there if I ever wanted to give it another go. I became a Virginia state licensed tattooist in October of 2023 and specialize in black and grey illustrative realism, black-work, American traditional and neo-traditional styles. Right now I’m currently a resident artist at Turtle Style Tattoo Company in Broadway, Virginia alongside veteran tattooers Rob Glazner and Dj “Turtle” Ownby.

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?

Anything but a smooth ride, but Ive never had much quit in me. I don’t like leaving things unfinished. There are a lot of requirements to become licensed in Va, including logging 1500 shop hours and 100 tattoos before you even qualify to take the licensure exam. Juggling an apprenticeship on top of my other business (Backwoods Beard Co.), family life as a husband and dad of a homeschooled 6 year old daughter who’s involved in dance and sports activities at times felt understandably overwhelming.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I’m still a first year licensed tattooer, so I’m still working on building up clientele and a strong portfolio of work both fresh and healed. Right now I’m really enjoying working in black and grey illustrative realism, American Traditional, and Neo-Traditional styles. I’m proud of the journey; all of it. The highs and the lows. It’s what builds character and determination to the craft. I want to keep learning and applying that knowledge to every new tattoo I do while building strong relationships with clientele on a foundation of trust.

What were you like growing up?

I was the skater kid that got along with everyone and had friends in multiple social groups. I was always drawing: in art class, in regular class in my sketchbook or on my desk. Always trying to find the good in people and be the light for others. There was some traumas in life that I’ve needed to learn how to deal with and manage and creating has always been a means of doing so. Art has always been therapeutic to me and now it feels like I get to offer that to others in some small way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BrodyWilliamsTattoos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brodywilliamstattoos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrodyWilliamsTattoos