Artist Interview: Nathan Brown
Over the next few weeks, we will start introducing the artists participating in the inaugural we. art gathering! It’s always nice to hear a bit more of the artist’s background, their process when it comes to creating and how they’ve evolved over time. In that spirit, we will be posting interviews we conducted with each of the artists so you can become a bit more familiar with them. Super excited to have Nashville-based Nathan Brown in the mix, scroll down to learn more about Nathan and his style!
Where are you from originally?
NB - Los Angeles but moved to Nashville when I was 11.
How did you first get into art?
NB - I grew up seeing graffiti and murals all over Los Angeles and when I moved to Nashville, I missed seeing that stuff so much that I started getting into graffiti.
What is your favorite medium?
NB - Spray paint but as of this past year I have been dabbling more with brush paints, especially in interiors.
What inspires you?
NB - Life in general, Skateboarding, traveling, architecture, the color palettes in nature, my dog Leroy.
Why do you do what you do?
NB - Because I just have to, there's no way around it, haha. I have these things in my head that I have to get out. I just love creating, anything really whether through skateboarding, DJ / producing (most people don't know I made a living DJing & producing for awhile), building things or painting.
What is your creative process approaching new projects?
NB - I always gotta see the space before I start designing, the feel of the space and the surroundings help a lot w/ my creative process.
How has your style evolved over the years?
NB - I'd say going from traditional graffiti lettering, to wild style graffiti, to shapes and colors and now geometric gradients and exploring realism of sorts.
What is your lifestyle outside of art?
NB - These days it's been engulfed in art going full time the past 5 years but I get a decent amount of outdoors/ hiking in with my lady and my pup, skateboarding.
If you could travel anywhere to create art, where would it be?
NB - I had the opportunity to spend a year in Europe last year, had a studio residency in Budapest and was able to travel and paint in places I never thought I would go to, like Kosovo, which was amazing. I haven't been to the U.K. yet, so maybe in a castle in Scotland?
Do you listen to music while you're creating? If so, what are some of your current tunes?
NB - Yes, definitely, headphones on always. It's a mood thing, sometimes I like easing into the process by listening to current and old soul, R&B and jazz, then onto hip hop, soulful /deep house, disco new and old and even the more soulful side of drum and bass.
What role do you think artists have in society?
NB - I think we have a role of visually expressing / being the visual voice of our communities and making art accessible for everyone.
What has been a seminal experience in your art career thus far?
NB - I think having the opportunity to fly overseas to paint commissioned murals was a huge thing for me last year.
Who are some of your favorite artists to date?
NB - So many out there, a few are Leans, Os Gemeos, Guido Van Helten, Felipe Pantone, Cinta Vida, Kobra, Steve Powers, Curtis Hylton to name a few.
What helps you get "unstuck" creatively?
NB - Music, taking a quick break from work, hiking, working on something completely different than painting.
Who are your biggest influences?
NB - My Mom, all of my friends, all the artists I have met along the way.
Coffee or tea?
NB - Mainly tea but coffee has been a big contender this year.
Surf or snow?
NB - Surf, sidewalk and ocean.
Favorite movie?
NB - Time Bandits / Princess Bride/ O.G. Star Wars…Any documentary.