Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan “Sloke One” Nordstrom
Hi Nathan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my journey with graffiti in 1990 in Austin, Texas. I was inspired by the graffiti I saw in movies, magazines, album covers, and in the city. I was drawn to the bold colors and dynamic lettering styles. I started out as a young vandal and honed my skills through practice, painting walls, freight trains, and rooftops with my crew NBK.
Over time, I transitioned from the streets to the fine art world. My work has evolved to incorporate, not just lettering, but also intricate murals, abstract art on canvas, and collaborations with other artists. I began to merge traditional graffiti styles with modern influences, helping to legitimize the art form in Texas and beyond. These days I travel the world painting and connecting with the local artists in each city/country I visit.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road for me at all. There has been many ups and downs. Starting out, there was a lot of resistance from the public, the police, and politicians. The spray can was seen as a tool of vandalism and not of art. There has always been a negative image attached to graffiti. Never the less, I kept going. I always knew it was a valid art form and I enjoyed doing it. There was a lot of rejection when I transitioned into the legal world. Many people did not want anything to do with graffiti. It is very different now.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My name is Nathan Nordstrom aka “Sloke One”. I am an artist from Austin, Texas. I am known for my graffiti art and my contributions to the graffiti art movement in Texas and beyond. Key elements would include my love for graffiti letters, my murals and large scale works, community impact, my mentorship, collaboration with other artists, and painting and exhibiting graffiti art around the world. I am most proud of being able to make a living as an artist for the last 20 years and helping to lay a foundation, with many others, when it comes to the history of graffiti art in Austin, Texas.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is to never give up on yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Slokeone.com
- Instagram: @slokeone
- Facebook: Sloke One
