Travon Lee shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Travon, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was at the birth of my son. I took a break from art to focus on my family life after becoming a new father. What I thought would be a short break lasted much longer than I planned, but it made me realize that the joy I felt from starting my own family legacy would be even greater if I were creating full time throwing art shows and being out in the community as an artist again. This new chapter for me is titled “The Reinvention of Opin.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Travon Lee, but as an artist, I’m known as OPIN. I’m from Miami, live in Atlanta, and will go anywhere including Mars to tag a wall with one of my characters. My brand, Opin Creations, specializes in canvas paintings, murals, fashion, events, community work, and making everything we touch cooler one character at a time. Right now, I’m working on new pieces for my upcoming collection titled “The Reinvention of Opin.”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me all about hard work. He owned his own carpentry company, and by the time I was 13, I was spending my weekends mixing concrete with a hoe in a wheelbarrow, building scaffolding, and painting homes. He did this and more 6 days a week, and on Sundays he was at church still working in his own way, driving the church van and taking people home. That was his life until he passed away. R.I.P. Ron Lee, M.C.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I believe that giving up is apart of the process because I would’ve never realized that this is what I’m meant to do with my life. Every time I got tired of the struggles of being an artist and building a brand, I’d take a break but my mind, and whatever that thing is inside me that refuses to let go, would always pull me back. Creating is all I think about and all I want to do. In the end, it was more of a struggle to stay away.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe in being a great father, and I’m committed to continuously improving at it until I’m just a memory.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Procrastinating, not verbally expressing my love to my loved ones. And stop living in a separate state from my family I wanna see them as often as possible. Stop acting as if I and everyone I know will live forever.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @opincreatedyou
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