Meet Wally Champ | Artist. Creator. Designer.

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

Hi Wally, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It happened by accident. I was at my job for 12 yrs and needed change. At the same time, social media was growing fast which allowed me to get my work out across the world. The journey begins a year and a half before quitting. I’d get off work at seven, get home, eat and restore sneakers till about 2am everyday until it was no longer sustainable. Unsure of the end goal, I took the little money I saved and decided to go full time. Making it the most difficult and riskiest decision I ever made. During this time there wasn’t much information online on how to charge and approach this as a business. That information wasn’t really shared. Most of us were figuring it out on the fly. I became great at restoring sneakers. This experience would come back around to really help me in the future. A year and a half in, doing it full time, my creative juices were taking over and really grabbing a hold of me. With my background in graffiti art, the need to create and no longer restore was taking over to the point that I had to make the switch. And from that moment on, everything changed. It opened up so many doors and opportunities I never thought I would experience because of my artwork.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My attention to detail and distinct style. My ability to to bring to life and exceed a client’s experience and expectations.
On a more personal level, what sets me apart is my story. It’s the essence of who you are as an artist. To have a deeper connection with your work. It’s poetry in art form. To express yourself on a more personal level which isn’t easy to do.

I’m proud at the fact that I took a chance on myself and here I am still, 9 1/2 yrs later.

The day i quite my job to pursue this, my whole perspective on life changed. What I thought was important, no longer was. The path to greatness is a lonely road. I had to sacrifice time with loved ones, family, friends and relationships.
I put my head down, picked up a brush and didn’t look back.
It’s not easy and still isn’t. For me, I am the artist, designer, marketing, manager, photographer, etc and early on when all your focus should be on what you’re creating, you can’t help but think about where your next meal’s coming from and will you have enough to cover rent.

To be vulnerable and let loose while creating and not get in your own way. Which I struggle with sometimes because I’m a “perfectionist” when it comes to my work.

I live to create and I create with a passion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First things first we’re stopping by Wise Guys in San Pedro to pick up the essentials for the week and a couple Busy Bee sandwiches before heading to Venice beach to enjoy the beautiful weather, people, and culture. Then grabbing dinner at Felix Trattoria and ending

the night at the world famous Comedy Store.
Next day we’re taking a road trip along the coast, making a stop at Santa Monica pier before our Nobu destination in Malibu. Then back to the city, straight to Staples Center for a Laker game, courtside.

Visiting Runyon Canyon for a long hike and great view as we soak in this Cali sun. Can’t go without having some authentic Salvadorian food at “Restaurante y Pupusaria Acajutla”. Then get ready for the night, as we catch a live show at the Nokia Theatre.

Taking a day at Universal Studios for sure. In the middle of this week-long madness, we’re also making stops at spots like Tacos Desvelados and Ensenada Surf & Turf Grill for some of the best tacos !

Melrose and Fairfax are definitely on the agenda for the shops and graffiti art. The beautiful murals throughout and since we’re in the area, we’re swinging by LALA’s Argentine Grill, and visit a couple art galleries.. And can’t go without catching a Dodger game. Dodger dogs, beer and bobble heads.

Road trip to Joshua Tree for a couple days to embarke In some psychedelics and be one with nature and enjoy the scenery.

What’s a weekend without football? As it comes to an end, you’ll find us at Sofi stadium doing a little tailgating before watching the Chargers do their thing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s been a small handful of individuals that have played a role in my art career that I’m truly grateful for, appreciate and respect but none greater than my mom. From the moment I decided to quit my job at the age of 31 to pursue the most unconventional art career, the love and support she has shown me from the beginning throughout my whole life is unmatched. It started at a young age with any interest I had and in this case, specifically graffiti art. She supported it for the simple fact that although she didn’t understand it, she saw how much I was dedicated and focused with it. It kept me occupied. So as I sit here doing my best to explain why my mom deserves credit and recognition, It’s deeper than just advice and support, so here we go. My mom came to this country in her early twenties, leaving my grandma and older brother behind for a year in order to get all her money and paperwork right to bring them here properly. She grinded, working multiple jobs and going to school to learn english. Doing everything she could at a young age to give us a better life. An opportunity, a shot that was not available to her back home. The 80’s were rough, especially trying to raise three boys and unbeknownst to us that would only get tougher. My senior year, at the age of 17, my dad was murdered. Leaving my mom all alone. No grandparents, uncles, aunts, or cousins. Just my mom and us. A woman trying to raise three boys, while working, keeping food on the table and a roof over our heads, while the gangs ran wild. She made no excuses, she found a way, made a way. Did whatever it took. So at this point maybe you’re wondering what this has to do with my art career? Well, here we go. Fast forward to June 14th 2014, the day I quit my job, the day my life changed. I was 31 going down an unknown path and my whole perspective on life would change. What once was, or I thought was important, no longer was. Long lonely nights, thinking to myself how I was going to get this done and beside trying to put business plans in place, all I can think of was everything my mom had gone through, all the sacrifices she made. The pain and suffering in order to give us a better opportunity at this thing called life. So, how could I, who was born here, raised here, not make something happen. What’s my excuse? There is none. The drive, the focus, motivation, and inspiration all derives from my mom. Her life experiences are one of the greatest gifts she could have given me. There was nothing more inspiring to me than that. I do everything for her and in return, my gift is that I get to reap the benefits alongside her. The will to keep going and go hard is from her, for her and to do it with something I love and passionate about, what else do I need besides putting in the work. The work required to level up and the person responsible for that work ethic, is my mom.

Website: https://Www.Wallychamp.com

Instagram: Wallychamp15

Twitter: Wallychamp15

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Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@wallychamp4550

Image Credits
Wally Champ