Stretch talks about developing his style and launching Grinders in the Crossroads

Stretch won’t be the first person to greet you at the door if you stop into his studio on Troost. That honor falls to Duf — short for Dog Under Foot — an imposing German shepherd mix until he licks your face. Duf is Stretch’s erstwhile companion, having toured the country alongside his boisterous owner since being adopted a year and a half ago.

Stretch is back in the corner office, the only room with air-conditioning. His cell phone chimes every few minutes with reminders of meetings or people hoping to pitch him a new project. It’s 10 a.m. on Monday, and while most of us are thinking about a second cup of coffee, Stretch is probably close to eight hours into the day. A number on the clock that once foretold a great night, 2 a.m. is now just the start of his workday — the only time it seems to make sense to use blowtorches in the middle of this summer heat wave.