Meet Cole Hooper, from a teenager sketching tattoo ideas to becoming a rising force in the world of black and grey realism tattooing. Based in Victoria, BC and with a sharp creative vision, Cole has honed a style defined by bold contrast, intricate detail, and strong visual storytelling. With the launch of his dream studio, Gallery Tattoo Collective, Cole is entering a new chapter, focused on growth, community, and taking his art to the international stage.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Cole Hooper. I am a 28-year-old tattoo artist from Victoria, BC. I have been tattooing for 8 years and specialize in black and grey realism.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
My fascination with tattoos came from a young age, when I was just a teenager. As someone who has drawn their whole life, I began to become very interested in the artwork behind tattooing, drawing and designing things I thought to be great tattoo ideas, later leading to me building a portfolio and getting my apprenticeship.
At what point in your life did you become a professional tattoo artist?
I became a tattoo artist at the age of 19. After I graduated high school, I attended a visual arts program at the college in Victoria. I was doing my apprenticeship at the same time as school, which kept me consistently drawing and improving my artwork. By the time I was 20 years old, I was tattooing people full time.
How do you balance creativity with the client’s personal vision?
Balancing creativity with the client’s personal vision can sometimes be a tricky one. While the client ultimately gives you the idea, it is important to sell an image or a concept and really prove to them they can trust you to give them the best tattoo possible. From there, you will most likely receive complete creative freedom. It is more about trust than anything else.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
My current tattoo style focuses around black and grey realism, predominantly large-scale sleeves, torsos, or backs. The goal with my work is to create visually pleasing designs from top to bottom that can be identified from a long distance and appreciated even more so when up close. I strive to create designs that reflect my personal visions, bringing intricate details and high contrast to life.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
When I start the process with a client, it always begins with an in-person consult where I can get a feel for the client as well as their idea to make sure I’m the right artist for the job. From there, we discuss ideas and work together to create a rough plan of how things are going to be with their tattoo. Once that’s complete, the design process begins. While I mostly ask for creative freedoms, I also like to work with my clients in making sure this is going to be a tattoo they want to wear for the rest of their life. Once we are both on the same page, the tattooing begins.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
Personally, I think the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist is the many jobs we have to do outside of tattooing. While the actual act of designing and tattooing takes up most of our time, we also have to be content creators, shop owners, business managers, and so on, while also managing our lives outside of tattooing.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I absolutely love conventions. Conventions for me are always amazing. It gives me a chance to see and meet artists from all over the country and the world, building up really solid relationships, sometimes leading to lifelong friendships. While also being social, I use conventions as a chance to push myself outside of my comfort zone and compete in tattoo competitions. This is my favourite thing to do at shows as it allows me to learn and grow and push my art to the next level with each and every show.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
I think conventions definitely have room for improvement in a few areas, mostly artist comfort. For the span of the weekend, we are stuck sitting in uncomfortable chairs for hours on end to complete our tattoos. I think improving the conditions we tattoo in would go a long way, maybe better chairs provided for artists or padding provided for artists to sit on.
The second thing is food. I think better food options would also go a long way healthier options instead of the fast food we have at most shows.
A lot of shows nowadays have an artist lounge, which is awesome. I think these areas should be improved with higher comfort, couches and lounge chairs just a few ideas off the top of my head.
The smallest things can make the biggest difference.
What advice would you give to first-time artists attending or working at a convention?
I think the best advice I could give new artists attending or working at a convention is to just soak it all in the best you can. Be a fly on the wall for your first one. Watch and learn and see how the best of the best in that room are doing it. Take notes and apply it to your own artwork and process.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
I stay at the top of my game by always keeping an open mind always learning every single day. The day you sit back and say you don’t have to learn anymore is the day you will lose. I make sure I am always studying the tattoo scene, both small and large scale. I study the scene in my hometown all the way to the global scene. Watching, learning, and studying the best artists out there and applying these things to my own style and work.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
My goals and dreams for the near future are to grow my shop into the vision I see it growing into. I have a complete vision I want to turn my shop into down the road, and I will continue to work towards that every single day.
I also have a goal to bring my work to an international level, doing more international conventions and getting my name out there more to that scale.
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