‍Bio

I am a contemporary American Artist living and working from my studio in Austin, Texas. My wife and I relocated my studio to Austin from Charlottesville, Virginia in June 2020. I went to school at James Madison University where I earned a BFA in Architecture. Between my education and starting my full-time studio practice, I spent some time working as an interior designer focusing on contemporary residential design. Since transitioning into a full-time practice, my career has taken me to some incredible places. I’ve had the privilege to exhibit my work all over the United States, place art in collections worldwide, and work with some incredible clients and designers. It is truly my joy to spend my life painting and bringing thought provoking artwork into this world.

I was raised in and around the church. As an adult, I am particularly interested in deconstructing what has formed my faith and ideologies. Western culture is incredibly influenced by the church and church traditions in many good and bad ways. As a product of traditional belief systems living in contemporary American culture, I’m constantly trying to reconcile deeply rooted and often misinformed ideologies with the context that I exist in. Expressing the collision of those two worlds is an ongoing negotiation between myself, my context, and my faith.

Artist Statement

I paint things that I don’t understand in a way that reflects my lack of understanding. Partial gestures and allusions give enough information to communicate a subject while leaving space for our own memories and subconscious to imagine what the rest could be.  I want to utilize a mix of textures, drawing techniques, mediums, and surfaces. The tension between underdevelopment and resolution is the most honest and genuine expression that I can give: that what it means to be human is to admit our limitations and lovingly embrace the space between the "already" and a hopeful "not yet".  

www.nateszarmach.com  

@nateszarmachartist

What continues to motivate you to create your work?

In many ways, my work is always a byproduct of self-reflection, and that process certainly never stops. We are always trying to learn more about ourselves, our origins, our beliefs, our position in this world, and our desires moving forward. Because my work is an expression of that process, the motivation to paint is tied to the motivation to become a more whole and healthier person. Striving to understand oneself is a process worth not giving up on!

Who or what influences your practice?

I believe in keeping a tight creative circle. The only people who I really let speak into my work are my wife (who is a designer) and a handful of close colleagues that I know understand my work and my vision and can push me in the direction I want to go. As for my external influences, the works of Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko, Istvan Sandorfi, and M.C. Escher inspired me to want to paint when I was a kid and continue to influence me today. I also draw quite a lot of creativity from film. Some films that I think of often are Parasite, Get Out, The Shining, American Psycho, Eternal Sunshine, The Truman Show, and Fight Club.  

How would you describe the mood of your work?

I think the mood is...sort of like a dance between control and expression. I think that dance is more hopeful than frustrated.

What do you feel is the most challenging part of being an artist?

Separating the way that you feel about yourself from the way that you feel about the work.  

Tell us about something from your creative life that you are particularly proud of.

The last six months or so I have made massive strides towards work life balance and that's been huge for me and for my family. Pealing myself away from the canvas, taking a shower, and keeping the door closed until tomorrow feels uncomfortable to the insecure workaholic. This year, though, I’ve actually grown to love the distance from my work and trust in a slower process. That's a huge victory for me!