We were lucky to catch up with Travis Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Travis, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I first wanted to pursue art in junior high.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a creative who spent ten years in the furniture business a week as a correctional officer, and a few months as a coffee barista ups delivery person. My first job was at a bookstore, I got paid $5.95 an hour. When I got laid off from the book store, one of the managers at the bookstore hired me to dig holes in her backyard. I dug a day’s worth of holes in thirty minutes. A few weeks later l was eating lunch outside of the bookstore that I had been laid-off at. and that day nobody showed up for work. The Manager who was on lead, asked me to clock in, I ended up working there for a couple of years. I spent ten years in the furniture business, and before that I toured with my family singing group for a couple of decades. Once I spent a week as a correctional officer, and a few months as a coffee barista before that. I also delivered for ups. I delivered laundry for three months , I’ve also sold vacuums for a week. I have worked on government projects. I drove for ride share companies. But today I run the Travis Johnson Studio Gallery Store.

The Travis Johnson Studio Gallery and Store is a multifaceted creative extension birthed out of my art practice as a painter sculptor, and fashion designer. I thrive on cultivating, developing, and promoting artists. My Studios showcases artists in a seasonal exhibition series. My team and I also spotlight artists monthly on our social media platforms.
My Studio is centered around cultivating the arts in Olympia WA. My focus is to amplify artists. Along with nurturing artists, I also serve as a creative coach. My methodology is to walk beside the artists and help elevate their art practice and brand.
At the Travis Johnson Studios, I have a vivacious art practice that is focused on paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and clothing. I create art for people to engage and find meaning in their daily life. All of my work is speaking to my years of growing up in the Mojave desert inside the cocoon of a black family.
I am so grateful and thrilled to think and create deeply about what it means to work, sleep, eat, and make love as an artist.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience by paying attention and telling my story to everyone who showed interest in my content. Every screenshot, picture and video is telling a story, I got really clear on my story and what I wanted to say. I only post content that is interesting to me. It is important that I only engage with things that resonate fully with who I am as a person and creative. Moving on social media with this type of intention is contagious and attracts others on the same frequency. It allows my audience to easily connect with my work through the content that I post.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society can prioritize buying work from artist, it’s what allows artist to keep doing their work. If you can’t afford their work donate what is in your budget to support them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://travisjohnsonart.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travisjohnsonstudios/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Travisjbk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erbankountry

Image Credits
photography Griffin Morse