Conversations with Adam Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Williams.

Hi Adam, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well I was raised by wolves.. in Mesa, AZ. I’ve been drawing since I can remember, but really started to focus more on pursuing art when I was a teenager. Art was an escape for me. While I was in high school, I got a hold of a janky tattoo kit and tattooed a green anchor on my buddies leg. We didn’t have any other ink and the anchor was AWFUL, but I wanted to get better. I tried to get an apprenticeship from local artists, but kept getting turned down and told to work on my portfolio. Eventually, I got into a tattoo shop in Chandler and they let me work part time as a junior artist. I didn’t know what I was doing and inevitably got fired. Back then, there were very few artists willing to share information about tattooing. There also weren’t any resources on the internet, so I put that goal on pause.

In 2012, I moved to Washington to attend art school. I studied animation, motion graphics and graphic design. During my time in Seattle, I experienced an art and tech surge around the city. I was able to work on projects for a number of leading industry giants in advertising, entertainment, and many things in between. My love for traditional media also led me to a handful of painting opportunities outside of school.
I became immersed in Seattle’s contemporary and fine art scene. That was a major turning point for me. I went from trying to find information about how to improve my art skills to building a network of fellow artists willing to collaborate and share knowledge. I was featured in a few gallery shows that really boosted my confidence to continue creating and sharing my art outside of a computer.
While in Washington, I managed a tattoo shop for a couple of years. Being in the shop environment really made me feel a sense of purpose. I figured I had accumulated enough knowledge about tattooing that if no one was going to teach me, I could learn on my own.
In 2018, I made the decision to move back to Arizona and start tattooing full time. I’ve been a student to the craft ever since.

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?
When I first started, I was discounted by other more established artists. People not believing in you is discouraging, but you have to find the power within to overcome and get better. Practice, practice, practice. I’ve sacrificed so much of myself for this craft and I still have more to give. I still have much to learn.
The best part about being a student is that you always feel like you’re just getting started.

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 specialize in black and grey realism, geometric and ornamental tattoos. My high key approach to the design process is what sets me apart from others. I really enjoy utilizing empty skin space and creating compositions that fit well with anatomy.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I welcome anyone interested in working with me to contact me through the booking form linked below.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://form.jotform.com/adamwilliamstattoos/appointment
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamwilliamsart/?hl=en
• Other: https://darkhorsetattooco.com/adam-williams/

Image Credits
Photo credit: Noah Dabreo