We recently connected with Paugh Shadow and have shared our conversation below.

Paugh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I guess it came soon after 9/11 when I lost my job due to the events that occurred that day. I was walking the streets of NYC where I saw a film crew making a short film called 24 floors under NYSea. I asked what they were doing and the director told me and I thought it was interesting since I always wanted to do movies and I thought well now I have no excuse not to try it out since I have no job and nothing holding me back. I did that film and was hooked. I did a play right after that and because of the impact I had on some audience members it really stuck with me that this is something I need to pursue. When others tell me my performance made their life better in some way or another it really means I have a positive impact on people which I prefer more than the stereotypical label I usually get in everyday life. And that comes to the latest movie that I helped write, direct, produce as well as acted called The Omicron Killer. It resonates with me and I think other people in the world.

Paugh, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have travelled extensively around the world which I think has molded me into a more rounded renaissance person. I am not easily placed into a category which unfortunately I think people try to do with everyone nowadays which I feel is detrimental to the growth and creativity of the arts as well as human thought and expression whether the arts or technology. We tend to stifle people and we rather destroy than create. Not that it has completely stopped it but definitely has slowed down progress in some regard like the dark ages. We are reverting back to that where nothing new is being given a chance. People complain that in Hollywood there is nothing new but then when something new comes it is ridiculed and attempted to be cancelled just so people who couldn’t create a wet paper bag can obtain likes and comments for their trite responses and negative posts to feel relevant in this world. But I digress. For me I keep pushing and fighting and for my clients or customers I make sure I bring them something new and exciting as much as possible. Whether its my clothing line (www.shadowwearfashion.com) or this latest movie The Omicron Killer coming out Feb 2024, I put 100% of my effort to bring out some sort of emotion, hopefully positive, from the viewer/consumer. I take what I make from what I do and then help others around the world. I have created 3 orphanages and support others to bring themselves out of poverty and be productive citizens in the community. As with everything I try to leave a person or place better than when I met them or visited. I wouldn’t try to claim I am a saint or perfect. I am very much human with tons of flaws. I just try to make sure my impact on the world is more positive and others may benefit from knowing me in some way. That’s why I have my fashion line for people who want original suits to wear, I have written a poetry book called Aysha: A Collection Of Poems & Thoughts Through A Journey In Life, which speaks for itself inits title I think, and then my tv/radio internet station(s) that allow people to put their films and tv show ideas online for the world to see and allow people to upload and sell their music for a fair compensation to them on the radio section as well as a travel company so people can feel more free to travel and experience our world, and last but surely not least, all the movies I have worked on and have helped produce, myself, in my career, in that field, especially the movie The Omicron Killer coming out this Feb 2024.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Inspiring others has been the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative. When someone told me that before seeing something I did they weren’t sure what they were going to do to themselves that day really hit me on what my presence means to even just one person. I don’t do well with seeing others in pain and suffering. Ive had enough of that for myself and know what it feels like so when I see someone going through any trial I sympathize and understand. Others may criticize people and tell them to just suck it up. That’s easier said than done. After all I have been through I still push through and never give up even though it may seem like that is a better alternative the rewards I have been granted in life I don’t take lightly and know that the pain comes with the territory to meet most goals. Do I wish it was easy to obtain all the things I want in life? Well of course. But I wouldn’t change anything I have no regrets. Everything that has happened regardless of how negative got me here to where I am today. Not that I wish anything I have been through or others may have experienced that is worse than what I have been through on anyone, I do see that those things also made me get to where I am in the long run. An inconvenient part of life and maybe a necessity for creative thought is those negative events that occurred during my tenure on Earth.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I don’t think non-creatives understand the sacrifices we as creatives have to make and the struggles we go through to reach our dreams. Many people will say “Oh get out of the clouds, this is just a pipe dream.” and I think they say that 1) Because they already gave up on their dream 2) Because of that mindset it makes it harder for people to go for their dreams and do what really makes them happy. If money wasn’t an obstacle I am sure most people would change their tune because we could just do what motivates us instead of doing things just to survive. I can’t just survive I need to thrive and that doesn’t mean to be a billionaire. To me that isn’t living anyway. If you aren’t having incredible experiences more days than just waking up, going to a job you hate, living a life you hate, that money is worthless to me. I have done more things than most rich people anyway. It’s all subjective though. I am not trying to come off pompous or elitist. I know just making money but not doing anything worthwhile isn’t what I consider being alive. If you can’t impact anyone or anything in a positive way then you aren’t living your best life. Having said that non-creatives should support creatives anyway possible. If their work inspires you or just makes you feel better support them by purchasing their work just like you want them to come to your work place and support you by buying whatever product or item your company supplies. We need more art in the world. Sometimes I feel we have so much negative things because people don’t have an outlet for the positive and it’s so much easier to be destructive than productive. But we can easily change that by supporting the positive work creatives bring to the world. I hope people will see my works and go to the various links and support my hard work and that inspires others to keep pushing their creative ideas.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shadowwearfashion.com, www.shadowmourning.com, www.shadowvision.tv, www.houseofmonicafashion.com,
• Instagram: @therealpaughshadow, @therealshadowvision, @shadowwearfashion, @therealshadowsworld, @therealshadowradio
• Facebook: Paugh Shadow
• Linkedin: PaughShadow
• Youtube: @shadowindustries137