Meet Sharky Edwards | Artist & Designer

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

Hi Sharky, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I’d say Consistency and staying true to the Art and culture you portray is a great way to succeed

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.
Well I was raised by Artists my mother is a figurative contemporary artist, And my older brother is a Tattoo artist, So I was born into loving art and constantly around it. Grew up doing graffiti art and when I was old enough started getting tattooed by my brother and I was hooked I wanted to learn how to tattoo. I was over school I was in 11th grade at the time and ditching every other day to smoke weed and draw literally, So I dropped out and got a job well that job didn’t last long I got fired then fired from the job after that. I decided to try tattooing so now I’m in my brothers shop every day for 3 years getting tatted learning how to draw the Traditional American tattoo designs over and over on top of running errands for the shop, Cleaning the shop, and cleaning all the artists tools at the shop I eventually started tattooing I was bringing in homies to get tatted and even some of my brothers clients would bring people in to get tattooed by me it was dope I was loving it, Well as time went on things changed and my brother moved further away from me and the shop closed down so I had to figure out a way to make some money still being so new in the Tattoo world there was no way I could get a job at another shop doing that yet, So I said I’m going to make custom Jackets and shoes and try to sell those I had a good handful of followers on instagram from modeling I knew I could make it work so I did, I was doing this for a couple years While I worked a retail job my homie got me on Melrose Ave I ended up convincing the owner to let me sell my hand painted jackets in the store and I was sold that I was made for this shit. As time went on people here and there were buying my art and I started meeting a lot of people at this store so I even started getting modeling opportunities and I ran with it I was doing photoshoots for so many brands and music videos and then it even lead into me doing a lot of background acting on TV shows I even got booked for main background rolls so I got to be on set for a couple seasons in a row it was dope I got to learn so much about the industry. The whole time I knew in the back of my head to make connections so I can keep selling my artwork, And I was, I was selling canvases and murals and hand made clothing, I had always loved interior design and architecture so I even started making custom Coffee/end tables, and even custom rugs I figured you can hang my art what other ways can you design with it. There are really no limits with this the only limit is the mind. And that’s what lead me to where I am today still painting perfecting and growing my abstract artwork in all aspects.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I can’t give away all my secrets but I will say A good time looks like, Waking up going to the gym getting a nice healthy start to the day, Then go and Get some bomb grub maybe a rooftop vibe in downtown or or a low key spot on the valley. After that stop by A dope art show, maybe a thrift shop, And we’re definitely smoking a joint or two to keep the vibes right. My homies make music all types of it too so later on grab dinner and a drink if you do that and go listen to some live music and just groove! Thats a great day right there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well first off I’d like to thank myself for always believing in me, Id like to thank myself for always staying consistent, Id like to thank myself for always showing up on time. But more importantly Id love to shout out my older brother Nick his instagram is @Nickwhitetattoo he’s always been an inspiration of mine in all aspects but definitely his artistic and business aspects he showed me it’s possible to create the life you want to live around what you love to do, As well as the rest of my family and loved ones you know who you are. I’d also like to thank my homies and so many names for always rockin with me through it all from the younger days running the streets doing graffiti to the current days chasing our dreams turning them into a lifestyle and business aint shit changed but oh how things have changed! Shoutout to the companies and businesses that showed support and believe in my artwork and myself as an artist. And A huge shoutout to all my collectors I love you.

Website: thesharkyedwards.com

Instagram: @Sharky_Edwards