Meet Cole Strem: Tattooer and painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cole Strem and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cole, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
This is a great question. The balance within work is just as difficult for me as work and life balance. It’s challenging for me to balance out drawing for a client and drawing for myself or my own projects. It’s a good problem to have, but sometimes I’d like to set aside some time to draw or paint without any deadlines, themes or clients to work towards. Although having a deadline means I’ll actually get things accomplished on time and be forced to get it done. Over time I’ve realized I’m not super man, I can only do so much in a day and I cannot continue to kill myself for people. Balancing my home life is just as complicated. When I’m home I’d love to be hanging out with my wife but my mind is always churning. There’s too many things to create. Luckily, she understands how I am and has always been very supportive of my artwork and the time I need to dedicate to it. Sometimes she lays the law down and says to me “memories are not made by sitting in a dark studio for hours” So we get out, have a date night, go for a hike, whatever. It feels nice to have the balance. If it wasn’t for her, I’d eat only candy bars and hot pockets for each meal and get so much work done! I’m not one for tv or movies, I enjoy it too much. The entire time I’m sitting on the couch relaxing in front to the tv I can’t help but think about what I could be or should be creating. I really beat my self up sometimes about it. We are expecting our first child this month! I’m curious to see how much time I’ll still have to work on personal artwork. That’s gonna be a challenge on its own. Being a father is going to be a job in itself and I can’t wait!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s been a challenge, like it has been for anyone. I have a lot of self doubt. I’m an over thinker and an over achiever. I want each tattoo and each painting to be better than the last. As a Tattooer and artist in general, I think it’s very difficult to find your own vision or path. When you do something a certain way so much over time, you can become bored and you’ve got to figure out a way to make the work interesting to you again. I guess that’s how style becomes developed. It just becomes you. When I first started tattooing, I just couldn’t wait to tattoo. Whatever it was, whatever walked through the door. I didn’t know what I was into, I didn’t care-I’m tattooing! Now over a decade later, I’ve really gotten into the history and the tradition of the art. I’ve always loved classic images and understand what makes them so iconic. How can I use that same magic but put my own finger print on it? It’s all been done before, why change anything? I want to give back to tattooing, it’s been very good to me. A few years ago I was asked to paint a giant commission painting of an Art Deco woman for my parents home. It took me over a year to even start it, that overthinking, self doubt settled in. I wasn’t sure how to even approach this painting, I don’t draw “Art Deco style”. After buying some reference books and a shit load of google searches and studies in my sketch book, I finally found the courage to make this painting. I think that was the refresher I needed. I could blend what I’ve learned from traditional tattoos with Art Deco vibes. Ok, that’s interesting, now I’m trying to apply it wherever I can. What’s even more interesting, people have been noticing and requesting these sort of tattoos from me. I’m eager to see where it’s headed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Long Beach, California has got to be one of the coolest places in the state. So much art, culture, food and fun goes down everyday here. First and foremost, the oldest bar in Long Beach. Joe Jost’s. It’s a Long Beach staple. You can feel the history when you walk in this place. You’ve gotta order a schooner of beer and get a pickled egg. They’re the best eggs in town. If you can get me a better one I’ll buy the first and second round. The Reno Room is another watering hole that is a cool spot. We used to live down the street from there and would visit all the time. But by far one of my favorite places on earth happens to be in the heart of the city. The Queen Mary! Talk about a historical adventure. Every time I’m aboard that ship I never want to leave. Another place you’ll go and feel the history. It’s like a museum inside of a ship. Of course, the entire inside is filled with Art Deco decor. No wonder why I love it there! You can eat and drink there, shop at the gift shops and take all the tours. Hell, you can even stay for a night! I could do a whole interview about this place. Go there! Of course, my home away from home is a must on your trip to Long Beach. Port City Tattoo in the traffic circle. Stop in a take home a souvenir that will never get lost or stolen. Say hi while your there! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s a lot of people and things that inspire me on a daily basis. I’m hungry for knowledge and eager to learn. I’ve always got my eyes and ears open and listen to my friends and peers. Other artists at the shop and I are always feeding off each other. It’s a pretty cool motivational wheel that keeps spinning every day. It makes me want to push harder than ever and dig deeper artistically. Try a new pen, a different brand of ink or a new black pigment… whatever it is we’re always trying new things. My parents have played a consistent roll in being inspirational and motivational to me and are very supportive in my craft and always show me new ways to keep an open mind. My wife is my biggest supporter and my number one fan. She’s also a tough critic and I pass most of my ideas through her, even if they don’t stick I take her opinion in mind as I’m creating. If I’m working on a custom tattoo design I’ll ask her “if the client doesn’t get it will you?” If she approves, I know I’m on the right track with the design. If not, back to the drawing board.

Instagram: @colestremtattooer