Shadow: Before ever even picking up your pencil, it's critical to me to first find out what the client is trying to reflect through his art. It becomes really personal to me so I have to really chop it up with them good. Sometimes people don't even know what they want, so it's a part of my job to pinpoint what I think reps this individual. Then once we find a general direction, the research begins. What I like to do is pinpoint certain elements, then choose a focal point, then incorporate many of the other elements as the environment. All of the time, my customers stay involved, so they have the say-so if there any changes to be made or personal touches they want to make. So by the time I begin to paint, I know without a doubt that this is something my client wants, and I always try to exceed my customer's expectations.
LRA: Is it the same when you tattoo?
Shadow: Pretty much the same.
LRA: When did you start tattooing?
Shadow: I started tattooing with a homemade hood machine in 1984.
LRA: What motivated you to tattoo?
Shadow: I had an older brother who had done some time in the California prison system. When he got out, he was tattooing, and he was sleeved down. Since I always looked up to him, I naturally wanted to tattoo as well.
LRA: There are a few airbrush artists who are making the transition to tattoo. Why do you think this is?
Shadow: I think that once you're established doing one thing, it's difficult to take the time to dedicate toward a new form of art; it's a time-consuming process. I was fortunate to have started both tattooing and airbrushing about the same time and stayed persistent with both throughout my career.
LRA: Tell us about the projects that are in the works.
Shadow: I'm presently working on new designs for my clothing line called Hustle Hard Clothing. I'm keeping it true to my roots. I'm excited about these paintings and the concepts. I think my gente are going to love them. I'm taking street elements and keeping with our hustler nature as a theme on these first images that I'm currently doing. Some I'm doing in airbrush and some in pencil to give them that traditional Chicano arte feel.
LRA: Whose work do you admire or who are some of your favorite artists?
Shadow: There are many great artists to admire. One that I've been influenced by is my homeboy Sleepy G. He helped me to step up my airbrush game. Boog would be another inspiration. He motivated me into focusing more on my pencil renderings. Tattoo Tony goes hard. I think that he's a great artist. Luis Royo is a legend in his own time.
LRA: We heard that you're opening a tattoo shop in Houston. Why in Houston?
Shadow: I asked God to open doors where I belong, so when the doors in Houston began to open, I just felt peace in that decision. Houston gente have shown me a lot of love, although Dallas will always be home.
LRA: Is the tattoo market as big in Texas as it is in Cali?
Shadow: Statistically, I'm not sure, but I do know that Texans are very proud and competitive people, so they're getting sleeved down and always looking for the best, and not afraid to pay whatever it takes to have a dope piece by any well-known artist.
LRA: Where can our readers see more of your work, book an appointment, or ask a few questions?
Shadow: They can check out my page on Myspace at www.myspace.com/hustlashadow, email me at hustlashadow@yahoo.com or they're welcome to call me at 214-830-2074.
LRA: Any last words?
Shadow: If you stay true to yourself you'll never have any regrets.