Startup for SwampWater Studio, LLC

I have been a tattoo artist now going on 12 years. The goal has been - for a long time now - to open my own studio in my favorite city. New Orleans has been a passion of mine since I was a kid. My husband got rushed into a medical retirement from the United States Army this year. And of course, this is the year of the pandemic. What can I say - we have great luck!



So we packed our bags and transitioned from our last duty station after being dependent on the orders of the Army since 2001. We are renting a place to keep a roof over the three of our heads (those who know me know of my pitbull son Gunner Bruce), and I am working between Hattiesburg, MS at Lady Luck Tattoos with my best good friends Robbie Wilson and Phil Higgs and also with the legend Lenny Ardoin and his apprentice Vivian at Lagniappe Tattoos in Slidell, Louisiana.

We found a perfect building for the studio.  I have been getting messages, calls and emails from loved ones and clients asking when this shop is set to open. Due to COVID, the process for approval and the communication from the VA, the Army, our family, and civilian lenders has been a nightmare. I have been asked what people can do to help us speed up the process. So we decided to give GOFUNDME a try. If we can get the money to just outright cover closing costs, renovations and setup, then we can get things up and moving a lot quicker. Our goal is to try to be open right after Mardi Gras 2021. The way that things are moving at this moment, it could get pushed out longer than that.



Closing costs would involve commercial lenders rates for down payment which are very high ordinarily, but not budging due to the pandemic. Renovations would include building out sinks for hand washing stations to meet the state specs and a few safety measure in place as my clients come first. Setup includes building out stations for future artists to work. And when I say work, it is up to my standard which is client and sanitation first and above all else.

We understand this time isn't just difficult for us. So we aren't expecting a whole lot of movement from this campaign. I'm forever the optimist and want to see it do well. If you can't donate that's fine. You know how else you can help? You can share this link. You can buy prints or t-shirts off of social media (instagram: BrandiBruce, Facebook: Brandi R. Harkness-Bruce, or email [email redacted]). Or you can come and get tattooed at one of the current shops I'm at. 


I appreciate the continued support. I wouldn't be where I am right now without being able to have worked on the best people in the world. Every shop I have worked at has helped to build my enthusiasm, my passion and my education for what I do. My husband has been a great support system. My clients have been more than what I could ever have dreamed. And I'm just trying to build a space where all three of those elements can come together in a safe, creative environment so we can continue to do some kick ass artwork on some amazing individuals.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my GoFundMe, and as always CHOOSE WISELY Squad!