We had the good fortune of connecting with Cooley corey cochrane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cooley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I Pursued being a Body Piercer for a long time before i was. I knew very early in life that a desk job or 9 to 5 was not for me. I dreaded going to those jobs. I hated having a uniform or thinking this asshole is going to tell me how to dress and talk to people. I was a skateboarder and a local punk kid in Phoenix trying to survive. I found friends at the tattoo studio that shared the same interest. Art and music was very important to me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My Art is considered a little different than the average painter or sculptor. I am a Body Piercer thru and thru. Its my passion and profession. I deal with people of all walks of life. I think that’s what I still love about it after all these years. Each person/client has a story or a reason for being in my studio. They want to heal from trauma or abuse or they might just want to do something that has been taboo in their household. Some people just want to fit in and get a nostril piercing or a navel piercing. Each person has a different reason to come see me and I hope each person leaves in a better spirit. Without these people i wouldn’t have a job or be as happy as i am. I love making them smile after each time they see the new sparkle on their body. What sets me a part from other piercers? i hate ego, I love confidence and sharing of ideas and techniques. im all for sharing and learning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is easy, when my friends or family comes to town first thing we would do is go get some great coffee at Velorio Coffee or Xolo Coffee both in downtown Phoenix. Then we would get some food. Phoenix has amazing food. Taco Tote or a Vietnamese Pho spot. Id show them Grand Ave and First Friday Art Scene or take them to my favorite tattoo or Piercing studios thru out the Valley of the Sun. Like Old West or In the Streets Tattoo. 2 very different places that both have amazing artist. Then Saturday night we would cruise down Glendale Ave for the Low Riding Scene until 10 or so then Tacos. breakfast a local diner called Us Egg then off to the Swap meet in Glendale. So much culture in our city and that’s why i love Arizona so much.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow ok where to start? Mentors have always been people who i look up to and want to be close with. Some of the best mentors have been Aaron Dix Owner of Old West Tattoo in Glendale Arizona. Lloyd Parrack of Gyspy Rose Tattoo in Phoenix. Dale Orman (rip) of Crawling Squid. Mike Kruse of Shagbuilt. Torin Vaughn of HTC in Phoenix. Kevin Jump of Whole Hearted Body Piercing in Phoenix. Aaron Coleman of Immaculate Tattoo in Mesa. These people have shaped and developed my style and attitude at work and in my profession. Big Shout out to Old West and the Association of Professional Piercers. www.safepiercing.org for helping our community stay o n top of health and safety.

Website: www.oldwesttattoo.com

Instagram: @cooley132000

Facebook: Corey Cochrane

Other: www.cooleysboutique.com

Image Credits
All Photos Taken by me.

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