Continuing the Art of Play
May 19, 2021
Artist: Nate Otto
Join Zoom Meeting / Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87618016665
All I want to do is paint.
Nate Otto is an artist, illustrator, and muralist based in Chicago. His work occupies its own lane somewhere in between the worlds of folk art, street art, lowbrow art, and contemporary fine art. His paintings and drawings are ruminations on urban life and landscape and stylistic explorations into what Nate dubs “whateveriwanttodoism.”
2018 was a busy year. In addition to art shows in Chicago, Austin, and San Francisco, Nate did over a dozen murals in Chicago, and additional mural work in Detroit, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Madison. He also did client work with Apple, Vans, and others, and illustration for NPR, Warby Parker, and Basecamp.
2019 saw Nate have three solo shows at Yard Dog in Austin, Galerie F in Chicago, and a drawing show at Adventureland in Chicago. He also did his largest exterior mural to date in Pilsen, and additional murals for Goose Island, Marriott, and a slew of private clients. His art adorned CTA blue and red line trains as part of an advertisement for Goose Island. He did a speaking engagement for Vans, custom artwork for Pizzeria Bebu, and made art on 100 wooden taps for Goose Island. In addition to these jobs and many more, Nate hosted several open studio events in his Wicker Park studio.
Context:
Nate Otto is a full-time Chicago artist. In 2014 he received a B.A. from Columbia College. You may find his mural paintings in the neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, etc. He states that he does not do sketches and considers it "a waste of time".
Warm-up + project:
We will again combine the warm-up and project time if you wish. Feel free however to do some playing and warming up with ideas if you have not decided on a direction.
Here are some ideas and starting points to consider as you view and are inspired by Nate Otto's work.
Consider mapping your neighborhood or maybe your dream or imagined neighborhood.
Where might you like to live or visit anywhere in the world?
What is the landscape, the sky, the view?
Paint, markers, colored pencils, it's your choice.
Let's have fun building our neighborhoods, one building at a time!
Artist Info:
Murals
Outside Voices patio | 2020
VML Mural 2 | 2018
HS2 Solutions mural | 2018
Pilsen Mural | 30 feet x 90 feet | 2019
Canvas
Domed City | 2019
Yellow City | Acrylic, acrylic paint pen, on canvas | 16" X 20"
2013
Moon Over Red City | acrylic on stretched canvas | 12”x16”
Two Way City | 2016
Lakefront House | acrylic on canvas painting | 12”x16”
Floating City | acrylic and acrylic ink on canvas | 12”x16”
Board
House on the Hill | 12 x 12 | 2019
Sunny City | 12 x 12 | 2018
Big Moon | 8”x8” wood panel. Ink, acrylic ink, and acrylic on wood. Sanded edges and corners and uv protectant and matte finish
City Stack | 8” x8” wood panel. Acrylic, acrylic ink and ink on wood. Uv protectant, gloss finish.
Small Green Sky
Paper
Paper Island | 2018
Here Now City | 2015
Connected City | 2015
2015
Brooklyn Drawing | 2019
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