Meet Art in the Park Vendor: Nate Laybourn

Painter Nate Laybourn focuses on representing history through his intensely detailed pieces. His mission is stated simply on his website: “Embody the grit and determination of our forefathers. Create art that stimulates conversation and thought. Pursue the dream as an American painter to the best of my ability.” His large scale pieces embody the hardworking forefathers of our country. 

Steamboat Magazine: What is your process? How do you take an idea and turn it into a reality?

Nate Laybourn: The idea usually bakes in my mind for some time before it explodes onto a canvas. I then do a lot of research on the subject I want to showcase. I often read books to get a feel for the style and era, and gather information on what I’m trying to paint. The research helps me decide what elements I want to include in the final painting. 

Eventually when I start painting, I do it completely freehand – I don’t want any pencil marks or too much planning. I use acrylic paint mixed with water, and the piece is made with tons of very thin layers of paint; as the color builds, it’s pure and raw. When layering the paint, new ideas come to me, and I often paint over old sections and replace them with my new vision. I keep a list of details I want to eventually add, they come to me sporadically but I try not to focus on critiquing the details as I actually paint. Every morning, I analyze the painting as I drink my coffee. This is when I decide what I want to add or change, which keeps the project moving. If I focused on the changes I want to make all day, I wouldn't get anything done. I take the night to sleep on it and give it my freshest eye in the morning. 

SM: Your pieces are history related. Where do you get your inspiration from?

NL: I really didn’t appreciate history until after college, but I’ve come to understand that we need history so that we can connect it to us personally. What have we learned from our past? I want to recognize and honor the forefathers of our country through my art. I try to incorporate the hard-working backbone of those who came before us because I feel like that’s the root for where we live. When I’m working with the paint, I’m thinking about how I can best represent our ancestors and the great things they have done.

SM: What emotions do you want to invoke in people as they look at your art? 

NL: I have a rule that I follow when I’m creating a piece. I want the art to read well from 30 feet and I want it to read well from three feet. I want people to see my work from afar and think it’s another portrait, but as they get closer, I want the work to read like a book. My art can mean one thing to someone and something completely different to another person. Or have people think about it one way and on another day they think about it very differently. I hope that the pieces can strike a chord in people and mean something to them personally.

Find Nate locally at Art in the Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. Visit him online at www.natelaybourn.com.