AUSTIN, Texas — Graffiti is an art form that can be found all over town, and spray can artist Nathan Nordstrom has been doing it for 29 years.
"There's a lot of other things I could be doing that are not as positive. And for me, graffiti art, I'll say it -- it saved my life. It gave me a foundation to build off of and pursue a career in art," said Nordstrom.
One of his walls is on the side of Barret's Coffee. Another is behind Kasbah Hookah Lounge. Both feature his artist name: Sloke One. Nordstrom says the art form has changed a lot since he started.
"I would say the biggest change is seeing it go from a criminal element to a celebrated element where you can actually possibly make a living off of it", he said.
Nordstrom now does commission work along with the pieces he does on his legal walls. He also passes on what he has learned. He's taught graffiti as art through the City of Austin, and through the Mexican-American Cultural Center. He's also done murals with inmates at Gardner Betts Juvenile Center.
"I think it's important to pass on what was given to you, because that's what keeps the art form going", says Nordstrom.
You can buy some of his work at Barret's Coffee this month.
RELATED VIDEO: Time-lapse: Austin graffiti artist Stoke One
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: