We recently connected with David James Strain and have shared our conversation below.
David James, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
If I could go back in time, there are moments when I wish I had continued straight on to earn my Master’s in Fine Arts after finishing my Bachelor’s. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to become a gallery artist right out of college, with that academic foundation and momentum.
But instead, after graduation, I moved from Houston, Texas to Portland, Oregon, and took a job as a delivery driver for a pool and spa company. While it wasn’t directly related to art, that time was incredibly formative. The job gave me the opportunity to travel across most of Oregon and Washington, and during that same period, I began building my first body of work — black and white drawings on paper exploring themes of overpopulation and futuristic cityscapes. Those early pieces really became the foundation for the work I still create today.
Working in the “real world” also gave me something an immediate art career might not have: a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of things like sales, finances, and perseverance. Over the years, I’ve worked in sales, offshore drilling, marketing, and now as a hairstylist — and each role has taught me something different about people, discipline, and creativity.
So while part of me is curious about what might have happened if I’d pursued art full-time earlier, I honestly wouldn’t trade the path I took. Those varied experiences shaped who I am, both as a person and as an artist. They’ve given me perspective, resilience, and a sense of connection to the world that continues to influence my creative process today.
David James, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
When I graduated from The Woodlands High School, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do. I was very involved in sports and had scholarships lined up, but when I broke my ankle during my senior year in a football game, everything changed. That injury forced me to rethink my direction and my identity beyond athletics.
At first, I thought I wanted to become a dentist, so I enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio as a biology major. But that first semester — full of chemistry, biology, and physics — was a wake-up call. I quickly realized that path didn’t inspire me.
Every day, I had to walk through the arts department to get to one of my classes. I remember being completely captivated by what I saw — students painting, drawing, working in the darkroom, creating sculptures. I found myself looking forward to walking through that hallway more than to attending my actual classes. That curiosity eventually pushed me to have an honest conversation with my parents about changing majors, and with their support, I officially enrolled as an art student.
Once I made that switch, everything clicked. I felt focused and at peace. I was always the first one to arrive and the last to leave the studio — and that drive continues to this day. After earning my degree, I entered the corporate world, which taught me discipline and professionalism but also made me realize how much I valued creative freedom and personal connection.
That realization eventually led me to a new creative path — becoming a hairstylist and co-owning a salon with my wife. What I love most about it is how similar it feels to creating art. Whether I’m working with an art client or a hair client, it’s about solving a problem, shaping an aesthetic, and collaborating to bring a vision to life. The reward is immediate — seeing someone’s happiness in real time — and that’s powerful.
Today, I’m proud that I’ve built a life and career on my own terms. I get to create every day, connect with people, and live in a way that aligns with who I am. Looking back, every detour — from sports to science to art to business — played a role in shaping the person and the artist I’ve become.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I spent about five years working offshore on drilling rigs as a roughneck, and while it was a physically demanding job, it also gave me something I really valued — freedom. The schedule was typically three or four weeks on and then three or four weeks off, which meant I could work hard, save money, and then come home to decompress and refocus. It was a unique balance of structure and independence.
After several years offshore, the company offered me a position in their Houston office. I thought it would be a positive change — a chance to be home more with my wife and to build a more stable routine. But almost immediately, I realized that sitting in a cubicle, wearing a suit and tie, and attending endless meetings just wasn’t me. Around that same time, the company went through a major merger, which added a lot of uncertainty and pressure. I found myself doing the work of multiple people, feeling drained and disconnected from anything creative.
During that period, my wife — who had been a hairstylist for about 15 years and ran her own business — suggested that I consider joining her in that field. She pointed out that, as an artist, I might find hairstyling to be a natural fit. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense: it combined creativity, human connection, and independence — all the things I was missing in the corporate world.
So I made the leap. I gave my notice, enrolled in cosmetology school, and within about eight months, I earned my license. My wife and I started our salon business together, and honestly, it was the best decision I ever made. I love having control over my day-to-day life, working directly with clients, and using my creative eye in a whole new medium.
It’s also given me the space to return to my roots as an artist — to balance my work behind the chair with time in the studio. In many ways, this path has brought everything full circle: I’m creating again, connecting with people, and living life on my own terms.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
A major goal that’s been driving my creative journey is the idea of legacy. I often think about the end of my life and ask myself: What would I regret not doing? And the honest answer is that I would regret not fully pursuing my art — not taking a proactive approach to creating work that could have a lasting impact on people.
For me, that pursuit of legacy isn’t just about the artwork itself; it’s also about the way I live my life. I want to be remembered as someone who lived freely, who followed his passions, and who made choices based on meaning rather than obligation. I don’t want my legacy to be tied to how much time I spent in an office making money for someone else’s company.
I want it to reflect that I lived intentionally — that I chose creativity, independence, and purpose. That I built a life around doing what I love, and in doing so, inspired others to do the same. That’s what drives me every day: the belief that art and life should both be about authenticity and freedom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.StudioStrain.com
- Instagram: @davidjamesstrain
- Facebook: @davidjamesstrain
Image Credits
Laura Pulliam Photography