Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Trbo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Taylor thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?
Our fairy godmother and wonderful leader, Justine Johnson (@oxalis_______ on insta) !! The woman who gave birth to the Green House Collective. The Green House is the only women owned and exclusively femme lgbtq+ tattoo studio in the state of Hawaiʻi. This studio is a safe haven for not only the artists who work out of it but also the clients that come in for ink. Justine is now living in Wellington, Aotearoa (New Zealand) smashing it at her second born tattoo shop, Orchid Studio. The most common comment we get when people walk into the space she created here in Kāneʻohe is “I feel so safe”. It is an honor to upkeep this energy. In a heavily male dominant industry, it was an answered prayer finding Justine. There is this deep trauma cycle that is upheld in tattoo shops that permeates into everyone- artists, apprentices and clients. There is a very small amount of artists that make it out of apprenticeships unscathed. Almost everyone I look up to and/or have connected with in this industry has experienced it too. She was so tired of this, she built a space knowing what she did not want in it, all by herself. Twice. !!! And on top of that magic, she welcomed us with open arms. I have absolutely found refuge in this space and my clientele has as well. I hear countless stories every week about how they have felt uncomfortable in other shops and it makes me proud to be a part of the change of that.
As I uphold and grow what Justine built, I am going to continue her legacy of inclusivity and safety for all. And I actually mean *all*, when I say all. Tattooing has always been a sacred practice and I believe the space should honor that. Depending on the intentions, tattoos have the power to be a potent vibrational medicine that can create transformative change, protection or enchantment for the wearers. I feel really grateful to be where I am, doing what I do in this point in time where things, like this industry, are progressing daily. Our mothers and grandmothers weren’t able to do this, so I’m completely humbled every day.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am an artist at heart. I really just do art, all kinds! I started drawing before I could write my name correctly; my mom has always kept markers or crayons in my hands. I paint, draw and sculpt. I also do photography and graphic design!
I have been drawing tattoo designs since I was 13 or so. Then in 2018, I got into tattooing by having wonderful people around me that were more confident in my abilities on their skin than I was (at the start). I had support from friends, and strangers, that are now some of my closest friends, that wanted art on them. And I had support from my wonderful mentors Kai and Wade. It was just divinely orchestrated, for sure. This job has brought angels to me since day 1, teaches me so much and continues to completely transform my life every day. I donʻt take tattooing lightly as it is truly a transformative practice. So being trusted with such a big thing is an honor, every single time.
In my “free time” I paint anything I can. I am continuously working on a project that was born in my apartment during 2020 for my fine art thesis project, titled “SOME CALL IT SALT WATER, WE CALL IT HOLY WATER”. I showcase womxn of all kinds in their power while surfing. What started as a school project has turned into half of my life and I have over 90 pieces now. I have expanded to printing on merchandise and working pop up shops in local hotels and farmerʻs markets almost every weekend. You can browse through all my work on my website taylortrbo.com ! I can ship anywhere ;)
I am most proud of my growth as an artist and creator. Since starting college, I have really been able to lean into trusting my intuition and creating things from my heart as opposed to making things that I think *might* resonate with others. That has echoed into all spheres of my life and it has been really fruitful. Now, everything I do, I do from my heart.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is creating the feeling of being connected to something bigger than ourselves, in as many places of Earth as I can. To be a small part in helping you awaken to your gifts and soulʻs purpose. To help the collective realize just how powerful, magical and deeply loved you are. To provide a safe space for authentic expression. To orchestrate soul deep joy in everything. To make the 5 year old Taylor beam with pride and excitement that this is our life now. To make my loved ones proud. To show my future kids that with a pure heart, we can do anything we set our minds to.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I think the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ripple effect it has. Because I do it, others believe they can too. And they truly can. Another moment thats most rewarding, every time, is seeing my clients walk up to the mirror to see their new tattoo for the first time. The way their eyes light up and how the childlike excitement explodes from their smile is absolutely priceless.
These things will undoubtedly never get old. Iʻm so deeply grateful for the gifts I was born with and the privilege to live them out, my heart is always overflowing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taylortrbo.com
- Instagram: @taytrbo @inktherapy__ @green.house.hi @taylortrboart @anglesbytaytrbo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Taylor-Trbo-Art-243396696441906/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-donohue-ab574118a
- Other: Tik tok @inktherapy___