Describe your style in one sentence:
Fun for the whole family.
Tell us a little bit about the pieces and the inspiration behind them:
The birds are reminders of the constant worries or thoughts floating around my head. But on a happier side, they a metaphor for freedom, being able to take off to the sky at any moment. The trees, to me, are symbols of growth, but also of being stuck. I think it’s an awesome relationship that birds and trees have. Two living things… one completely free and the other stuck in one spot forever. I feel like I’m getting way too deep with this!
The Fragile painting was from my last show where each piece told the story of a different emotion. I played around with washes to create movement… to feel as if something is trying to blow the girl over or push her around. The hair is used as the mask, creating thin shadows across her face that almost resemble cracks in her skin. And the butterflies are meant to continue the sense of movement and be a symbol for something light and delicate.
You seem to feature lots of lonely teenagers and children in your paintings – why is this such a strong theme in your work?
I think I focus on youth because I still feel like a kid most of the time. It’s the time when you’re still learning about yourself and the world around you. The possibilities in a child’s world seem so much more endless.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
My Grandma always tells a story of me sitting at her house, drawing for the first time. I was drawing a stick figure of a boy with dotted lines between him and some object. When my Grandma asked what it was, I said, “Grandma…that’s me, peeing!” She said she knew I was going to be an artist. I don’t know how she made that connection. I would have thought, “Man, this kid’s got some issues.”
Did growing up and living in Southern California affect your work?
I think growing up in Southern California did affect my work in a way. I grew up around a lot of graffiti and have always loved it, but I was never any good at it. I think the big shapes and bright colors stuck with me though, as you can see them in a lot of my work.
You’ve said in previous interviews “You pretty much paint what you know” – what things have you seen recently that are going to inspire a piece of art?
I actually just saw this awesome tree that I really want to go back and get a photo of. I’d like to do a really large painting of this gnarly tree with a small figure hiding in the branches. I constantly see things and get a visual of a finished painting in my mind.
What’s the most unusual canvas you’ve painted on?
One time I did a plaster mold of my face and painted on that. It looked pretty creepy. It was one of the worst experiences ever though. I had a cold at the time and had to breathe through two straws in my nose while I had the plaster drying on me face… I don’t know what I was thinking. I thought I was going to suffocate.
Where’s the most unusual place you’ve seen your art?
I once did this self portrait for an art class my senior year of high school which was selected to be in a show at the Riverside Art Museum. When I showed up people kept telling me, “Hey, it’s you. Nice work.” Then I look around, and everyone is holding a picture of my face. They had used my painting as the cover of this big 8×10 pamphlet, so my face was floating around everywhere inside and out of the gallery. It was flattering but it really creeped me out.
What’s the best compliment you’ve had to your art?
When I was walking around Miami for Art Basel this past year and a stranger stopped me and said, “Hey, aren’t you Nate Frizzell?” That’s never happened to me before.
Could you share three unique things in your work space that inspire you?
A Canadian, a Japanese guy, and an oversized book of baby animals.
Who are three artists whose work you admire?
I would have to say Tessar Lo, Yoskay Yamamoto and Edwin Ushiro, but I could go on for days.
What art do you have on your walls?
I have a Joe Shea sculpture, an Ogi painting, a Sam Flores print, a David Choe print, a Yoskay toy, and a Tanner painting. I keep meaning to get in touch with artists to do trades. There’s so much work out there that I love that I can’t afford.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Haha. Anything with bells.
What music is rotating on your iPod?
Lately I’ve been listening to this band, Radical Face, non-stop. But I’ve also been playing Sigur Rós, The Streets, Weezer, Murder City Devils.
What websites do you check out regularly?
Artchival, Juxtapoz, Neu Black and a bunch of artist blogs.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I’d love to be an art director…or maybe a teacher.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I have a piece at Ad Hoc Art gallery, NY for their Delineations show, opening January 16th. I just sent a painting over to Master Art Gallery in Spain for the Nobody Walks In LA show, opening January 23rd. And I’ll have a couple pieces at the bo.lee gallery in Bath, UK for their show, The Launch, opening January 31st. Also check out my blog for new work and updates at www.natefrizzell.blogspot.com.
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