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

Hi Shawn, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Fresno, California. Growing up in that city was a combo of horrifying and entertaining obstacles for me. Well, being some weirdo looking musician back in the day didn’t really help my cause honestly. After moving to Los Angeles when I was 18 to play music, I found there would be a whole new set of obstacles to overcome. After living there and doing music related design for 20+ years, I discovered street art. I had found something that could be all me, my artistic personality without having to deal with other people. I was a new person, and I then kept my head down and went full force. I previously had quite the time growing up having emotional issues that I tried to keep hidden, they still come up but I’d like to think that those years of being true to who I was (or who I thought I was) helped me grow into someone that can stand on their own emotionally, personally or artistically.

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.
I had been making artwork for bands I played in for years, and it wasn’t til I discovered street art in 2010 that I found my own voice…or the road to trying to discover it rather. My wife and I have been hitting the streets for over 10+ years putting up illegal artwork, we started in Los Angeles where the volume and quality of artwork had to be set at a high level. There were an incredible amount of artists fighting for space and more often than not, getting ignored or worse getting covered by another artist was the norm. You had to get out there in high profile spots with good art to get noticed, and lucky for the two of us…We did it, we got noticed by certain people and worked hard to keep it up! What do I want people to know about me and my brand? Hmm, in the past I’d rarely let people get to know the real me. I’m not sure if I had a real me back then. The act of putting my artwork/message in the street without anyone asking me was super liberating, the feeling of not caring what people thought helped me break into another level of myself. I never wanted to let go of that feeling and tried to carry it from the streets into the gallery.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are all sorts of places specially made for tourists here in Las Vegas, but we tend to stay away from The Strip mostly. Although the one spot on the Strip we do love is the Pinball Hall of Fame, the smell of old machinery makes me feel like I’m being transported back in time as I walk in. The Majestic Repertory Theatre is another special spot in town with their immersive events and plays, I have even been lucky enough to have Artistic Director Tory Heard include me in several projects. The place I love the most? Our home! Sage and I have really constructed and designed the perfect home for us, with odd furniture, lighting , art room and overall vibe. We actually live, laugh and love here. But don’t tell anyone I actually said that…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d have to say the person most important to my story and career is my wife and art partner Sage. Before her, I was just a random musician without any destination whatsoever, I was just sort of floating around looking for anything. After meeting up to write and record music together, we just got along ridiculously well that we became best friends. I had never met another person remotely as weird and funny as her, we just connected on another level I hadn’t known before. She would take me to museums and art shows, her being an art history major was such a plus to me. She is so smart and has taught me so many things about art and love. She is someone that can sooth my hurt emotions, tolerate me and lead the charge in the streets.

Website: Cult33.com

Instagram: @youkilledmefirst

Other: TikTok: @youkilledmefirst

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