We recently connected with Nick Abstract and have shared our conversation below.

Nick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Absolutely. Nick Abstract here. I’m a random dude living in a state you’ve probably never heard of and I make a living painting massive geometric murals and paintings.

I come from nearly a decade of graffiti writing, and have devoted years of my life to producing art in dark corners of cities that maybe no one will ever find. I am also color blind, though I still strive to use vibrant colorways that engage people of all types of the human perception spectrum.

Large scale hand painted murals and large canvas paintings in my studio are what I am all about. All of the geometric variety with a strong focus on light, shadows, dynamism, and movement.

My family grew up in a very flat, cornfield-filled landscape, but upon visiting cities, have taken a likeness to angular architecture and stunning cityscapes. Being surrounded by corn most of my childhood, a building is a trip to look at.

My aim is to paint artworks that speak the visual language of a city, and speak it well.

Are you happy as a creative professional?

Absolutely. There are moments when on your own as a business owner/artist that are so freeing and unlimited. Not having someone dictate whether or not what you’re making is right or wrong is a power that few are ever able to wield to achieve their goals. I do not ever take this for granted. It’s important for me to try hard to humble myself and pinch myself when things are going well. Like any job though, it’s not what it seems from the outside looking in. There are many doom and gloom days of suffering and torment that present themselves every now and again. I guess it’s all about how you ride those waves and stay afloat.

Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I don’t wonder what it would be like to have a “regular day job” because I’ve done it. It had its moments of positivity for sure. but it wasn’t for me. I worked in the advertising agency realm as a production designer making social media ads for companies I couldn’t really get passionate about. Not to say there was no point to my job, but I just wasn’t making creative decisions I could stand behind as my own ideas.

All this is still to say, I don’t fault anyone for having a regular job. But I really wish being an artist was not seen as “irregular”, as now we are now in the age of globally famous Tik Tokers and millionaire 14 year old youtubers. It’s a wild time to be alive and online.

I have no idea if being an artist is a smart Idea or not. I’m still so new to this all, I’m just trying to spread inspiration, color, and my view of the world with anyone with a curious eye and open mind. Report back in 25 years to see how it’s working. haha.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Some aspects of Graphic Design taught us to follow trends and look on dribbble for what the designs should look like. It is encouraged to follow trends and do what is expected because that is familiar.

There’s things no one has done before in spaces that are bland, I try to provide something and put paint where it ain’t. =)

Do you have a goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think so. As to what, I’m not 100% sure yet. Still figuring that out.

I am often fueled by a lot of frustration with trends, kitsch artworks, and general boring media that seems to fill the airwaves.

The world needs more people who don’t want to be like everyone else. And are just down to do weird new stuff that people haven’t seen before.

I am at no liberty to define where art should or shouldn’t go, or what is tasteful or not. I just haven’t seen anyone else pushing purely abstract murals the way I’d like to see where i’m at and felt I could provide a voice for this that was of a unique tilt and influence that might inspire others and connect a community to a new form of artwork that isn’t as easily predictable.

I’m trying to freak out someone who’s driving around the city who is curious. I want them to see a mural of mine and be like, “Whoah, What is even going on here? I’ve literally gone all of my life and not seen whatever this is before.”

I want to provide a touchpoint for someone with a curious mind to expand that mind into realms unknown. The way other forms of art and music have for me in my life. If I can feed that curious mind something in that specific moment, I will have accomplished my goal.

Thank you for sitting down to chat with us. Good luck!

Thanks so much! I appreciate you reaching out, happy to talk about what I do. Cheers! -Nick

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nickabstract.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick.abstract
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickabstract
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc9ADr2RCiCcF6wO8q-pCEw/featured