Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elliott Nes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elliott, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

All of my work is self taught, so really the key for me is to just keep making things. I looked up and I’ve been painting stencils for over a decade now (which sounds great in a pitch email). I think also, I always try to experiment with something new in every piece or work, as well as take time at the end to reflect. I usually put up a new piece or artwork on display in my workspace for a week or two to analyze it. It gives me time to appreciate the good parts, but also find what I would have done differently or better the next time.

This has been said probably a million times, but there’s no substitute for time spent on a craft. I believe the only way to speed things up is to dedicate more time to it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I picked up spray painting stencils in 2010 and haven’t stopped yet. Growing up I was always drawing, or taking art classes, while also being drawn to and inspired by graffiti. As I’ve grown I’ve become a student of the many talented writers across the world and am motivated to always push the bar because of the amazing work that they put out even though I don’t personally do graffiti.

That love for that craft, and my love of living in the city shaped how I have developed my own work over the years. Telling the stories of people through portraits I aim to reflect the many different lives lived in the city. I’m most proud of the work I’ve done to make my style that feel uniquely my own. My bold color blocking, line work, and fractures in my pieces help my work feel cohesive and ownable.

As I’ve grown with my practice I’ve had the opportunity to paint studio pieces for galleries, as well as large scale murals across Los Angeles. I’m currently working on a collection I’m very excited about that includes stencils, 3D papercrafted objects, and line drawings of derelict and graffitied architecture that I’m hoping to complete later this year.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Over the past couple of years I’ve had to relearn what an ‘Artist’ is. For a long time, this was just a hobby and I didn’t consider myself good enough or dedicated enough to call myself one. I’ve learned that if you are making things that bring you joy or tell your story, and if you are working to be better, I consider that an artist. That validation doesn’t need to come from outside, it just needs to come from yourself. Since I’ve started calling myself an artist, I have taken my work more seriously, I’m more focused, and I enjoy what I create much more.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think that I always try to have a few. To keep trying and learning new things. To look at things from a different perspective. To make something I’m proud of. To create a cohesive thought.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elliottnes.github.io/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliottnes1/