Check Out Keith Cromie’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Cromie.

Hi Keith, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started working at a friends shop in Clifton Park, NY, which is where I’m originally from, just helping out, cleaning, answering the phone, things like that. After a few months, I learned how to pierce and then a few months after that, my friend asked me if I wanted to learn how to tattoo. I said yes, dropped out of school and started my apprenticeship. I worked at his shop for seven years and then my wife and I moved to Sacramento, CA. I worked at a couple shops there, started painting and eventually opened my own shop with a couple of friends.

After three years, we decided to part ways and I opened another shop. A year later, Covid happened and we were shut down for several months. After the second shutdown, I came to visit my parents in TN and decided I wanted to move here. My wife and I have been here for 8 months now and love it here. I’ve been tattooing for 14 yrs now and am always trying to learn new things and expand my style, which has led to me painting more.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would not say it has been a smooth road. There has been so much to learn and a lot of struggles with that. I have no formal art training and really didn’t do any art before I started tattooing.  The move from NY to CA was hard. I had to basically start my career over in a place where I knew no one. Also, there were the typical struggles of owning and running your own business. And of course, Covid was a major struggle and ultimately led to closing my shop and moving. As tough as it has been over the years, learning, struggling to find a style and “voice” with my tattooing and painting, I wouldn’t change any of it. I think the struggles just pushed me to keep going and not give up and I have learned so much for it all.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a tattooer and painter. As far as tattooing goes, I specialize in abstract style, graphic art style, sketch art, watercolor and blackwork. My painting style is mostly abstract. I’m known for more of my abstract art than anything else I think. It’s hard to say what I’m most proud of. I tend to suffer a bit of that typical artist “nothing I do is good enough” mentality, but if I had to pick something, I’d say I’m proud of the progression of my artistic abilities and am really proud of the abstract style of tattooing I do. My abstract style of tattooing sets me apart from others, I think. I think maybe the other thing would be my approach to clients, trying to be inclusive, treating everyone with respect and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I don’t think there has been just one important lesson, I think there have been many important lessons over the last 14 years. I think it’s important to stay humble, keep working hard and to remember that not everyone’s journey is the same, that you are on your own path and to just keep moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: keithcromieart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithcromieart/