Artist Eric Nash is known for working exclusively in oil and charcoal, with a focus on imagery from Los Angeles and the desert. For his upcoming solo show at Skidmore Contemporary Art, however, Nash is also incorporating some pieces inspired by the Laguna area of California.
“I’m continuing a lot of my ongoing series and themes,” adds Nash. “Freeway signs, gas stations, pools and other things evocative of the Southern California experience and environment—spare, idealized, direct, edited, graphic, universal, iconic and a little noir.”
Laguna Canyon 133, oil on canvas, 48 x 72 in.
While he uses photorealistic techniques, Nash doesn’t consider himself a photorealist. “I use photos as a starting point but then highly edit and pare down the final image,” he notes. “Some parts of my technique are highly refined and tight in the tradition of photorealism and other aspects are loose and minimal. I like that contrast.”
Nash is also constantly shooting photos and looking for interesting moments, often revisiting the same subject matter from different angles or times of day. “Those images become part of my ongoing artistic vocabulary,” the artist shares. “I have thousands and thousands of photos on file to curate from, to create a cohesive show. Some images might be years old, and some images are new. But visually, I like things to relate or hang together when seen as a whole show or experience. I like giving the feeling that you are really there or maybe the feeling of a memory, dream or film still—the beginning of a story or a reminder of an experience for the viewer.”
Pacific Coast Highway Only, oil on canvas, 48 x 60 in.
An example from the new body of work is Night Waters—a nocturne pool scene, serene and calm, with only one light source. The pool is the only thing in view, with the rest of the image in distinct blackness. “Night pools have always been such a memorable part of my Southern California experience,” says Nash. “The glow of the water, the feeling of late-night mystery, the warm desert air on a summer night.”
We also see examples of Nash’s freeway signs—like in Laguna Canyon 133—which are a huge part of the artist’s “vocabulary or iconography,” he says. “I see them as simplified portraits of a place. The viewer can then overlay their own experiences or idea of the place named in the sign. And what is more California than a freeway?”
Ventura Boulevard 76, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in.
In Ventura Boulevard 76, we find the well-known 76 gas station signage, lit up against a pure black background. “I have been doing the 76 sign for decades now,” Nash confesses. “Not only is it a document or commentary on our reliance on oil and gas stations, but it also speaks to the founding year of the country. It’s just very American and Californian. It’s also deeply recognizable and iconic in a nostalgic way, yet remains modern or contemporary. And from a visual standpoint, it just has such graphic power and contrast—true eye candy—very Pop Art in a way.”
Night Waters, oil on canvas, 38 x 60 in.
To view the show, featuring around nine new paintings and perfectly titled California Noir, head to Skidmore Contemporary Art gallery in Laguna Beach, California, from July 1 through 31. An artist reception will be held July 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. —
Skidmore Contemporary Art 326 N. Coast Highway • Laguna Beach, CA 92651, (310) 922-5070, www.skidmorecontemporaryart.com
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