Nathan Paddison is an Australian artist whose works are all based around a sense of fun, self-expression, and being oneself without fear. He portrays themes from his past, including his battle with addiction, as well as pets and animals in his life. Paddison places importance on color and energy, allowing the canvas to dictate where the painting goes. He paints mostly with acrylics but also employs enamel, pastels, markers, ink, oils, oil stick, collage, and coins.
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
About four years ago I was at a friend’s house who is an aboriginal artist, I asked to try to paint something, I could always draw well but it was something about the vibrancy of the paint that immediately drew me in the color was so full of life. Within the first week of me picking up that paintbrush it’s all I could think about and to this day hasn’t stopped.
Can you talk about your artistic influences and other artists you are most inspired by?
My influences in art these days are definitely leaning more towards different energies and emotions and using those feelings to create something that passes on that feeling.
When it comes to my influences from other artists I admire groundbreaking artists that do things that haven’t been done before. My influences are definitely Basquiat, Twombly, Robert Nava, and Tracey Emin.
Do you prefer to work alone or collaborate with others?
When I paint I go into my own world. It’s just me and the canvas so I have always worked alone, although there are a few artists I wouldn’t mind collaborating with. To be honest, this is something I haven’t thought too much about. I get very caught up in my own work.
Can you tell us about a project you’re currently working on?
I am currently working on a couple of upcoming exhibitions. It is something interesting I haven’t seen before and hoping it’s not out there.
I should hopefully have two pieces ready in the next few weeks. Available on my SINGULART page.
Have you found any other artists on SINGULART whose work you admire?
My favorite artists on SINGULART would be Minenkulu Ngoyi and Bortusk Leer. They both have very different styles which draw me into their work. However, there must be hundreds of other great paintings I’ve seen by artists on SINGULART.
What advice could you give to young artists starting out?
My best advice for someone starting out would be to tell your own story through your Art. Don’t worry about trends or what you might think will sell, just put yourself out there and make your own voice heard.
I started out trying to paint what I thought other people would like and went nowhere real fast. The best thing I did was to paint for myself.
