We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cole Strem. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cole below.

Hi Cole, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents have always been supportive of my artistic creativity. My mother and step father are photographers and artists them selves and my father was a painting/decorating instructor and still is a taxidermist. I was exposed to many forms of art from a very young age and my folks always had me in some sort of art class. As did the public school system at that time. I took many art classes during middle school and high school that were always switching up the mediums the students could use.
Watercolor and acrylic painting, pencil and charcoal still life’s, cartooning, printmaking…. I dabbled in a little bit of everything and I still do!
Whenever my wife comes with me to the art store she’s always gotta pry me outta there without bags full of art supplies for projects I don’t have yet.

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

I’m an American tattooer and artist currently working in Long Beach, California at Port City Tattoo. I specialize in American traditional tattooing with an art deco twist. I enjoy creating art in various medias including watercolor and acrylic painting, print making and the art of bonsai. I collect skulls and taxidermy, vinyl records, antiques and oddities. When I’m not making art I’m spending time with my wife and daughter and love antiquing.

I’ve been involved in the tattooing community for the past 16 years, tattooing for 14. Although I’ve been interested in the craft since a young age, I’ve been a self proclaimed artist as far back as I can remember.

One thing I’m most proud of that sets me apart is my drive and customer service. No matter what the project is, I always strive to bring my best to the table and put the clients best interest in mind. Believe me, I just want my customers to leave the shop with a tattoo we’re both proud of and hope that they return and tell their friends.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Social media has been a great tool and has helped bring my work to a much wider audience. Someone may see my work from another city, state or country and book an appointment to get a tattoo from me. That’s pretty cool! I also enjoy the quirkiness of handing someone I just tattooed some promotional material. A sticker, business card or postcard with my contact information and some of my artwork is showcased. I believe it speaks high volumes in your potential customers reaction on how much effort you’ve put into your craft and your business.

Even if the friend you brought to your appointment didn’t get a tattoo, they’ll go home with my free promotional swag. I get so much business from word of mouth. It doesn’t hurt to be open minded and have a friendly attitude. Most people wont return if you treat them like dirt.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m a workaholic, and I really love to create things. It’s hard for me to sit still, read a book or watch television. Most of the time I’m idle I can’t stop thinking about the next thing I want to paint or a tattoo I have to draw for next week. The wheels are always turning!

However when I became a father in 2021, that all changed. Suddenly staying up until 3am grinding on a painting doesn’t happen too much anymore. I’m realizing that life is short and that my time is not only valuable to myself but also to my family. Not that I don’t make time for creating artwork, I have to plan it out a bit more strategically!

Honestly, when I do get inspiration for a new drawing or painting it’s hard to pull away from making it. I get impatient and want to see the finished product done no matter how many hours go into it.

I guess I feel the same about certain tattoo projects. Sometimes I can just sit and draw the tattoo and other times I wrestle with it and overthink every thing until it’s right.

Large scale work takes countless hours of preparation and drawing before the tattooing even begins. From conception to the layout and even placement all becomes a factor in the design.

Contact Info:

• Website: Colestrem.BIGCARTEL.com
• Instagram: @colestremtattooer

Image Credits
Travis Haight