Loud&Clear Magazine - No. 5

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HEAVY WELDER & FABRICATOR

4. Most importantly, everyone you ever came across in your life had a piece in making you, what you do with it is up to you.

1. Success relies on being

2. Sometimes you have to put down

3. I’m in love my my With her, absolutely nothing is impossible.

5. Throughout my career in the heavy equip ment industry and across the US, “Cowboy” has always been my nickname. So blessed to share my ranch with everyone.

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5. I’m a sun-and-fun baby. The first song wrote in was a en couraged

ERIC PORTILLO

ATHLETE & Inspiration

1. I am an avid Runner/Ultra Marathoner (anything beyond a marathon) who currently just finished my first 100 mile race.

2. I am employed with Brooks, the shoe company who focuses on making high quality running shoes. I am a Tech Rep for them in Houston, Texas.

3. I also sing as a hobby on the side. When I’m not running or working I like to spend some of my time going out to karaoke bars and having a great time singing with friends.

4. I also love watching movies. Another one of my passions is watching as many movies as I can. I used to want to be an actor when I was younger.

5. I started running as a way to deal with my anxiety. I went out on a 10 mile run one day and it slowly became my entire life. I use it now as a way to inspire and give people drive in their lives.

Follow Eric’s Adventures at: @portillos_adventures

entreprenuer // Realtor

1. I once spent a week recording an album at Capitol Records in the same studio was Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.

2. At the beginning of my real estate career, I sold $1.1 million in sales volume. @realestateofabq

3. I was in a barbershop quartet that won second place in a district competition involv ing 9 states. There was only a 6 point spread in 600 total possible points, while third place was 30+ points away.

4. My wife and I have sold over 100,000 crepes since we’ve opened up our very first shop. We now own the Burrow Cafe which specializes in crepes & coffee. @burrow_cafe

5. I’m a vintage camera collector and I have over 300 pieces to my collection. I’ve collected most through visiting thrift shops and antique stores.

keith “tattness”

actor // show host // FORMER MMA FIGHTER

1. After retiring from MMA I became a show host and an actor. I’m currently working on a project with Mick Strawn (Nightmare On Elm St. 3&4) and Nick Benson (Tremors, The Blob)

2. I have a cookbook in progress that will contain my personal recipes as well as other famous names and their personal favorite recipes.

3. I had the distinct honor of being hand picked by Maxim Model/Actress Sherry Nelson as the first person she interviewed for her magazine editorial debut.

4. Throughout my career I’ve become friends with the majority of the actors and actresses from my favorite movies as well as musicians I’ve been a long time fan of.

5. Shortly after the documentary was made about my life, I found my bio logical Mother who I didn’t know until I turned 38. Almost 2 years later, we still have a good relationship today. My life is proof anything’s possible.

Follow Keith “Tattness” McCleary at: https://linkr.ee/Tattness

Lannie Shelton

lannie shelton

violinist

// teacher

I am a contemporary violinist born in Denver Colorado. I regularly perform and record all styles of music. I’ve been teaching violin at West Denver Suzuki Strings for a decade.

1. Although I was trained in a classical setting I definitely have a strong passion for jazz and a fascination for harmony. I attended a jazz summer program at Berklee College of Music and studied with Ron Miles at MSU Denver, too. My mentor is Christian Howes and another violin hero of mine is Regina Carter.

2. Sports have been very big in my life and I rely on them for mental balance. I was the top tennis player at Lakewood high school.

I was also really into skateboarding in my 20s and dreamt of being amazing in that even though I had zero courage. I’m really glad that women have become so much more prominent at the skate parks these days!

3. My great grandparents owned a Jewish grocery store named Bell’s Grocery, which was located where the Mercury cafe now stands.

4. I played guitar in an all-girl cover/punk band called Valet Park This in 10th grade. When I left, due to being a wuss, it became a hardcore band.

5. Music tours I’ve been on include trips to South America and Hungary with Denver Young Artists Orchestra, as well as a tour to San Juan, CO, where our band the Pink Hawks won Battle of the Bands!

echOing escapades

Justin Jackrabbit PARIS

Justin Jackrabbit was born and raised in New Mexico. He is 43 years old, a husband, father of two, and a creative. He currently works in the film, entertainment and modeling industries. He is an experienced actor as well as a traditional and runway model.

He opened his photography studio in December of 2021 and has continued working tirelessly on increasing his knowledge and skills behind the lens ever since.

Echoing Escapades is the visionary concept of manipulating luminescence. The spectrum of color comes in many forms and we find fascination within its glow echoing its journey through our vision.

Fans-to-be can follow Justin Jackrabbit’s photography adventures at: @blackjackrabbit_studio

Follow Author Russ Ray @eat.travel.type.colorado

Sacred Ink

by Author Russ Ray

As a committed member of the non-tattooed community, I’ve been tempted by ink on more than one occasion.

When I was 18, I followed my squad of Army Signal School students (I had barely just met them) from one bar to the next while on an offpost pass in Augusta, Georgia. We passed a tattoo parlor on Broad Street. One of the guys got the the bright idea for all of us to get tattoos. We all filed in.

It was one of those old school shops that looked like a cross between a barber shop and a saloon. The men hammering out tattoos weren’t artists. They were more like bare knuckle box ers. I looked up on the walls and saw various sketches of tattoos to choose from. Nothing done here was custom. You found what you liked and told one of the burly bearded men the number that was hand drawn on the upper corners of each sketch.

They offered basic military tattoos. Most were guns, swords, or tanks. Some were hearts where you filled in your lover’s name. Some boasted about bravery: “Death Before Dishonor”. I didn’t have a lover. I was going back to a single bed in a barracks bay filled with 20 other single beds. And I wasn’t about to die over anyone’s honor anytime soon. I didn’t like any of the sketches.

Nothing on the walls of that shop was going on my skin. So, I left.

Two years later I’m on a bus headed to the Kurfürstendamm in West Berlin. One of my buddies in my infantry unit wanted to get a tattoo. He was a cowboy kid from Utah named Brad. He wore wire rimmed glasses and talked like someone in a Western movie. He seemed out of place in

a big city like Berlin. He asked me to tag along with him. I thought maybe this was my chance to get my blank canvas drawn on. It was not.

The tattoo guys at the Ku’damm were the German versions of the bare knuckle boxers in Georgia. The tattoo “menu” was essentially the same military sketches tacked onto the wall as the ones I saw in Augusta, except there was also the Berlin bear and lots of NATO member flag designs. I couldn’t imagine any of those tattoos growing old with me. Once again, I left.

Another two years go by. I’m a civilian and a passenger in my 1970 Impala. Susan Thatcher is driving. I was a bartender, she was a cocktail waitress. Susan moved to Maui from Santa Barbara to visit a friend for the summer. We worked in different restaurants in Lahaina. Somehow, she and I got tangled up. We weren’t exactly in a relation ship, but she knew me well enough to know she wanted me to get a tattoo and to get one of my ears pierced.

We both lived in Wailea on the southern part of the island. The tattoo parlor was in Kahului near the airport on the north shore. Susan’s mistake was that the drive was long and she’d given me too much time to think. She talked while she drove through the cane fields with our windows rolled down. I kept looking over at her and watched the air stream blow strands of her blonde hair across her face. I thought to myself, “She’s awfully pretty, but I can’t see myself getting a needle drilled a thousand times into one of my shoulders and a nail driven through one of my ears for her.”

I spent the majority of the trip to Kahului thinking how I was going to break the news to her that my skin was going to remain as blank as the white sand beaches of Keawakapu.

To all my tattooed friends, I love your art. Most of all, I love your courage. I gave it a go. Three times I tried.

My tattoos are the memories I have of trying to get a tattoo.

When did you first get involved in the film and modeling industry?

I was cast as a background actor in the movie The Lone Ranger (2013) in August of 2012. Although I had performed in the the atrical arts, it was my first introduction to a large movie pro duction. Moreover, the background cast was accommodated at locations that were quite unique and special. Because we were located in remote locations, we would engage with the crew after hours and get a deeper view into the inner-workings of a produc tion. Many of the crew had come from Philadelphia after working on Dark Knight. My first engagement was very educational and enjoyable.

I really don’t consider myself a model. I love the art form of photography and have had the pleasure of knowing some very talented photographers. On the surface it can be confusing giv en the fact that I have modeled for designers and merchants. Additionally, I have walked the runway a few times. I think that those are some of the opportunities that I have taken full advan tage of. Whether it makes the cover of a magazine or coffee table book or just a social media post to bring visibility to a talented photographer, I am content to simply make something creative and capture the image in time. My first experience was created from working on a movie. The DP (Director of Photography) was a Master Photographer. He approached me and asked me if I would be open to a photo shoot. We created some significant images and it opened the door to many opportunities. I learned early to be very selective of who I allow to photograph me. The photographer has to be very talented and you have to be careful of predators.

I also think it’s important that you don’t dilute your brand by shooting with too many photographers and flood the social me dia conduit. I do donate my time to promising Native American photographers in hopes that it elevates their opportunities in the art world.

What or Who inspired you to pursue such a competitive career?

I was an “Only Child” growing up. I think the solitary life directed me to fall in love with movies of the 1960’s and 1970’s. I remem ber watching Dustin Hoffman and Alan Arkin and feeling that their abilities were remarkable despite the fact that they didn’t have the stereotypical “hero” looks. I had the honor and pleasure of working on the TV series Get Shorty (Season 1 - EPIX) that was directed by Adam Arkin. It was a profound moment for me when his dad Alan came to visit and Adam introduced me. Despite these experiences, however, deep down you have to decide that pursuing the arts is your calling. Your desire to follow your calling has to be stronger than all the obstacles and nay-sayers. Owning your power is import ant. If you don’t own your power, it would be very difficult to pursue a career in the arts.

I’m sure you have met many talented A-List Actors/Celebrities along the way. Please share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I worked on a movie Woman Walks Ahead with Jessica Chastain and Sam Rockwell and Michael Greyeyes. When Sam was at basecamp and not on set, we would sometimes throw empty aluminum cans out and practice lassoing. Sam is a very genuine and nice human

“Your desire to follow your calling has to be stronger than all the obstacles and naysayers. Owning your power is important. If you don’t own your power, it would be very difficult to pursue a career in the arts.”

–Rodrigo Tactaquin

KENNETH LYTLE @kennethlytlephotography

// ADAM FIERRO JEWElRY @adamfierro

being. Additionally, in Woman Walks Ahead we performed the Ghost Dance. This was a sacred dance by the Lakota Sioux.

At the time, the dance had not been performed for 70 years. The production obtained permission and blessing from Pine Ridge elders and they sent their drummers to perform. We practiced this dance under the direction of Michael Greyeyes. On the eve ning of the shoot, we set up aged looking teepees with bonfires out on the prairie. What was unexpected was that there was a Super Moon. We performed the Ghost Dance for the scene and it was an experience I will never forget.

How has your acting evolved since you first became involved in the Film Industry?

I have followed Jeff Bridges since Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974). Then I had the fortune of working on Only the Brave with Josh Brolin and Jeff Bridges. I was in awe of Jeff Bridges’ matu rity and ability to resonate his character. I think that given time and opportunity we evolve in this way. They call it “Sitting in the Saddle”. I think that I learn each time how to “Sit in the Saddle” better. The goal and desire is to master one’s craft.

What films/tv shows have you been involved in?

In total, all the current work I have done is 19 Movies (some are Short Films) and 4 TV Series. Most notable projects would be Movies: The Lone Ranger, Only the Brave, Woman Walks Ahead and TV Series: Longmire, Get Shorty, and Night Shift. I am often asked when certain projects will be released. If I was hired as an actor I am unaware of the release. The producers and marketing have a lot to do with that. If I work as a producer or a casting director I would typically know when the projects get released (or shelved).

What notable fashion shows have you been involved in?

I’d like to expound on this question because I have participated in SWAIA Fashion and the Santa Fe Fashion Show before. How ever, I get invited to many shows such as the Phoenix Fashion Show as well as sporting events and gallery events. Many times I am wearing Native designer clothing or jewelry to represent their talents. You will find that in my photos that I am always crediting the talented artists that I work with.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

I would say it is “fierceness”. However, it is not necessarily “fierceness” that is solely derived from one’s ego. I feel that I have to be fierce in my patience, tolerance, and vulnerability. It took a spiritual journey for me to get my power. It takes deep introspection and self awareness. All of these aspects contrib ute to being fully in the industry I am in and, more importantly, being a human being.

What has been your biggest challenge as an actor/model? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

If you are an actor you are an artist. Early on, I found myself trying to seize every opportunity for recognition and pandering to those opportunities. In the end, I came to discover that if you work on your craft and work to be the best you can be in your craft, it is the shortest distance to feeling resolute with who you are and what you are capable of.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the film and modeling industry?

I see the internet in 2 separate streams. I see the vehicle that the industry rides upon and then I see the Open Social Media aspect.

I enjoy the vehicle that the internet provides because it makes the process of telling a story shorter and more dynamic. These days the footage can be shot and immediately uploaded to the editing department. Auditions can be performed worldwide through video. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a physical audition because you can engage directly with the casting director and producers/director. But when there are opportunities and you are on the other side of the continent or globe...it is nice to still be able to perform. I think streaming services are open-ended with regard to whether it is a good thing or not. It is a reality. But there already has been attempts to delineate the streaming business from the movie industry so they can restructure pay. Another reality is Open Social Media. While I think it presents a medium to inform and enlighten, because people can behave so poorly, it also can hurt, harm, and mislead. Also, I find that actors far too often look for relevance.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

I am honored and humbled to be given opportunities in the film in dustry. I didn’t pursue a career in the film industry to be only an actor. I also have been a Casting Director, and a Producer. I pursue the art of storytelling.