We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nathan Edwin McClements. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nathan Edwin below.

Nathan Edwin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Years back I was an art student without any ambition. The idea of creating was always apparent but the structure of school set up more insecurity within my limited skill set. I was also writing & recording music which became the focus after graduating. After some years of solo touring, I moved to Charleston, SC where the abundance of gig opportunities allowed me to make a very modest living off of the tunes I was making. The pandemic knocked out those opportunities & my creative focus shifted. I realized the urge to make visual art was still super strong. In a sense, I ran out of excuses for not painting. It started simple with painting on recyclables & using whatever was in reach. I think that shift to painting on repurposed materials helped me steer away from the insecurities from my college years. At the same time, repurposing the things I had carried with me for years resulted in an incredibly rewarding endeavor. Working on multiple pieces at the same time distracted me from second guessing my work. It became an exploration of color & composition without any rules. If I think of an idea I’m accepting that as a challenge in experimentation. I lost any concept of “messing up” the art. Everything becomes a layer in the end result. Pushing & pulling paint until it reaches my idea of a completed composition. I know I’m creating different then I ever could have in my 20’s or early 30’s. Positioning myself in the music scene established a confidence in my capacity for sharing whatever I’m creating. I think back on art school & have some regret in the lack of focus but my process is all about repurposing. The repurposing of self is just as prevalent as the supplies used. Whether it’s the materials or my own creative ambition, it’s all about forward momentum & maximizing what I have to work with in the moment.

Nathan Edwin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

(Last response covers much of this)

I still feel like a rookie on the block. I started sharing work via Instagram a 1.5 ago. The progression has felt quick yet extremely organic. As well as art & music, I run a vintage clothing pop up in town. I have an understanding of “popping up” wherever I feel welcome. That has translated into sharing my art in similar formats. Restaurants in town & wall space anywhere becomes nontraditional gallery spaces. I realized quick that my growth has a lot to do with my work ethic. New viewers have had more access to the work around town when I’m able to share as much as possible. Thankfully, a network of homies have shown incredible support & encouragement through this early stage. The work ethic has produced a substantial amount of art in a short period of time. This allows me to accept any viewing opportunity that presents itself. I’ve been able to “pop up” & create shows that, in turn, aids in the excitement for the creating to come. The vintage business also keeps me surrounded in fabrics that I’m able to repurpose into quilted canvasses for my paintings. I geek out on finding new life in textiles. The history of certain items then leads to my contribution to its story, It’s thrilling to rework some disregarded shit. If someone else get an emotional pull from the work, it makes the process even more empowering. There’s so much potential in what we are surrounded by & we’re surrounded by an overwhelming amount as it is. An abundance of waste brings about a bit of pleasure when repurposed. I’m most proud of using up more & more of the materials I already have with me, whether that be my own waste or my own possessions. That I can experiment with art out of anything in reach feels truly limitless.
We’re all surrounded my distractions. With self discipline in the arts, I recognize the dozen other things I could have done instead of making that art. It’s super gratifying to choose art & momentum instead of any other distraction.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

13 years ago I ran a Kickstarter campaign for my first music record. With friends/family support, I was able to press a 10 track vinyl record of quiet basement recordings I was then working on. Shortly after, I lost enthusiasm for the tunes but was left with a ridiculous amount of inventory. Boxes & boxes or records were lugged around for years. The weight of a wasted opportunity followed me around because I couldn’t stand the idea of trashing the leftover records. Each vinyl is in a blank white sleeve. When my painting was first developing, these white sleeve became my early canvases. I was able to use these records then as my sketchbook. Once these records started selling as visual artwork, that repurposing of my own creativity was remarkably rewarding. I love that someone picks up this art for its visual appeal but can be surprised by my vinyl record being inside. Each represents historical markers for creativity & the use of the old materials encourages more to come. The idea of making a new record was troubling when I was sitting on so many of the old records. Similar to my paintings, my personal “layers” push & morph until certain compositions present themselves.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Share! Especially in regards to social media. Don’t get me wrong, the likes & simply following along is super encouraging. It’s bit like enjoying that buskers tune in the park while disregarding their open instrument case in front of them. The wild thing(maybe obvious) is we each carry with us our own group of spectators. When someone else shares the work, that’s a tremendous opportunity for new engagement for an artist. If you see something you like, that share goes a long way. The growth of my audience essentially relies on it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nemcclements

Image Credits
Elizabeth Fay + Sean Money @faymoneystudio