Ate of Nate Austin

Nate Austin's journey as an artist began at a very young age. His mother fondly recalls noticing his advanced artistic abilities at the age of six. His passion for art sparked early on, as he would doodle on church fans and scrap paper to pass the time during Sunday services. This early connection to creativity set the foundation for his artistic path. Nate later attended the Cleveland School of the Arts in high school, followed by the University of Toledo. While his collegiate years saw art and self-expression take a backseat for a time, he eventually found his way back to his calling years after graduation, a gift he could no longer ignore. Within the space of a blank canvas, Nate’s primary goal is to give voice to the misrepresented, marginalized, and often misunderstood, while highlighting the beauty that already exists. He believes that the power of art lies in its ability to transport the viewer from a logical and familiar world into a space that is uncomfortable and unfamiliar. His work resonates with some, confirming their own experiences, while for others it informs and provokes thought. Much of his art is dedicated to sharing the realities of the African American experience, exploring the love, joy, sorrow, and pain that come with being part of a melanated community. Nate frequently employs a variety of mediums in his art, including oils, acrylics, acrylic paint pens, charcoal, and collage. For him, art is about finding and refining one’s voice, and learning to project it in unique and bold ways. He is currently in a state of exploration, discovering his voice and developing his style. His work ranges in style, with some pieces featuring expressive, abstract movement, while others take on a more realistic approach. Throughout this journey, he continually experiments with colors, textures, and subject matter. More recently, Nate has started incorporating literary elements within his artwork, finding that text adds depth and significance to the themes he explores. While an artist’s style evolves over time, Nate’s work consistently centers around the exploration of human emotion. He is constantly challenging himself, learning, and growing with each new experience. Nate believes that life itself is a series of canvases to be marked, and he strives to find the art in every situation.