Meet Nick Rascona

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Rascona.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was first introduced to art through music. My mom used to sing and make up songs all of the time when I was growing up, so music and creativity have always been a part of my life. My Dad doesn’t sing but he has a vinyl collection that fills a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. My first real art class was in high school where Stacy Marko taught me how to paint. I didn’t know exactly how art would fit into my life at the time, but I knew I wanted to keep doing it. I spent a lot of time drawing, painting and skateboarding in those days before going to ASU where I received my BFA in painting, and haven’t stopped working since.

I’ve taught art at the Vihel Center in Tempe and in the art studio at the Children’s Museum, I worked at New City Studio for five years and Curated for a little over two of them, I did a summer residency with SVA in NYC, I’ve made paintings on canvas and metal, murals on walls, and sculpted primarily with steel. I’ve been obsessively making works and growing as an artist/person for the last 10 years. Now a days I work as an artist as well as the director of an NPO focused on art and community called “Lagomm” alongside the Artist/Founder Brett Eichmann in addition to a handful of other crazy talented and inspiring individuals.

Please tell us about your art.
I make sculptural paintings out of welded steel and oil paint. My work is inspired by the nature of humans, and the nature of our planet. I enjoy the challenge of merging materials that are so different, and I’m interested in the complex relationships we share with our environment. I hope people take away something they can use from my work, whether that’s love, sympathy for the planet, or just a bunch of questions; I can only hope to control what I make, not the way it makes people feel.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I don’t think the role of artists has ever really changed, we used to paint in caves and now we paint on canvas. Art is still about people, and perspectives. I think it’s our responsibility, not just as artists but as individuals to talk about the good bad, and the ugly. Sometimes I make works to speak out against big issues, but mostly I make works to ask questions.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People should go see art in person. Support artists you’re interested in by going to their shows, workshops, and events of all kinds. People can see my work in person come the fall at Lagomm’s new location in Phoenix which will be located on Pierce and Grand Ave. Another great way to support me is through commissions for custom site specific works; I love collaborating. Learn more about Lagomm @ lagomm.com and view my work online at nicolasrascona.com or @nickrawsart on FB and Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Website: nicolasrascona.com & lagomm.com
• Phone: 6025254599
• Email: nicolasrascona@gmail.com
• Instagram: @nickrawsart
• Facebook: @nickrawsart

Image Credit:
Studio photos by Kate Henry @kate_curated

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