Engraving His Legacy:

The Artistic Journey of Edward Cardenas

Kansas City is home to many hidden talents, but Edward Cardenas, an emerging engraving artist, is carving out a name for himself, quite literally. From a chance encounter with a beautifully engraved lowrider at World of Wheels to teaching himself through trial, error, and YouTube, Edward’s journey into engraving is a testament to passion, persistence, and the power of community support.

From Inspiration to Action

Edward’s first encounter with engraving happened at World of Wheels last year when he saw a strikingly detailed red car displayed by Juarez Car Club with etched glass windows. “I asked who did that, and that’s when I got connected with Lonely from Juarez,” he recalls. That moment sparked a creative fire. “He introduced me to different techniques like shading, and that’s really where it all started.”

Though Edward had done some engraving before, his early projects were limited to fenders for bikes. However, working with metal proved tricky. “The machine’s vibration makes it hard to control on metal,” he explains. “Glass is smoother, and I like the precision I can achieve.”

Edward’s journey took a major step forward thanks to an unexpected act of support. “I told my boss that I wanted to start engraving, and he actually gave me the machine to do it,” he says with gratitude. “That doesn’t happen every day, it really showed me that someone out there believed in me.”

His first project with the new machine? A shower door. “I engraved a big piece, and my boss turned it into a table. That was a proud moment.”

Much of Edward’s skill comes from self-teaching, but he credits his mentor, Lonely, for guiding him along the way. “Every once in a while, I’ll text him for advice,” he says. “But most of the time, it’s just me and YouTube.”

His inspiration also comes from personal connections. A close friend who tragically passed away taught him how to draw and instilled in him a love for old-school lowriders. “He put me on this path,” Edward reflects. “Every piece I create, I think about what he’d say.”

A Mother’s Influence

For Edward, art is more than a creative outlet, it’s deeply personal. “My mom has been my biggest supporter since day one,” he shares. “She loves roses, so I always try to incorporate them into my work as a tribute to her.” His favorite piece? A custom red bike he named “Rosario” after his mom, Maria de Rosario Aguayo Lopez.

Edward’s ambitions reach far beyond small-scale projects. “If I had all the money in the world, I’d engrave an entire car—windows, metal, everything,” he says with a determined smile. “It’s been done in Japan, but not really here. I want to be the first.”

Through it all, Edward credits Lowriding 2 Success and the unwavering support of people like Ms. J and Mr. C. “For a long time, I felt like I didn’t deserve this because of my past. But they never gave up on me,” he says. “That keeps me going.”

Edward’s advice for those interested in engraving, or any art form? “Have patience. Your first attempt won’t be perfect. Just keep going. If you get stuck, set it aside and come back to it later. Trust me, it’ll come together.”

As his reputation grows, Edward is poised to leave his mark—literally and figuratively, on Kansas City’s art scene. His final words for those watching his journey?

“Be ready.”

Follow Edward Cardenas on Instagram: @ec.ghost.913

Interview by Deanna Muñoz Founder Chicano Center for the Arts