Nathan Kostechko On ‘Black, Green, Red, Yellow’, A Nathan’s Lounge Group Art Show

June 21, 2024 Naz Kawakami

Nathan Kostechko is one of our most talented friends and someone whom we personally revere.

In this job, you meet your heroes; the talented ones, the beautiful ones, the ones who succeed, and there are many and you are going to admire them for what they do. We admire Nathan for what he does, but revere him for the person that he is, which is a talented artist, a staple of the tattoo community, and a good man. His approach to content and color contrast the often macabre subject matter in such a way that it presents a new perspective of how these iconic images could be interpreted and understood, which has drawn and cultivated a dedicated international clientele both for tattooing and for original paint and pastel works.

Following a car accident a few months ago that left Nathan severely injured, the community around Nathan’s Lounge - his namesake tattoo studio which happens to be right next door to the Monster Children USA office in Echo Park, Los Angeles - as well as the greater international art community rallied around him in support, a testament to his positive and immeasurable impact as an artist and as a person. Now, Nathan is on the mend, and Black, Green, Red, Yellow, a Nathan’s Lounge group art show, is opening this Friday at Raking Light Gallery in West Hollywood, presented a collection of new works from well-beloved artists like Tanner Ramsey, Delaney Renee, and Nathan Kostechko himself. We sent him a few questions in preparation which you can read below.

Black, Green, Red, Yellow

A Nathan’s Lounge Group Show featuring Nathan Kostechko, Tanner Ramsey, Tim Shriver, Delaney Renee, Jack Watts, and Alessandro Moroder.

The Raking Light Gallery

June 22, 2024 / 6 - 9 PM

8424 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

When you began making art, what were your aspirations?

I have been making some sort of artwork as far back as I can think. I remember drawing in a lined spiral bound notepad as a kid in the back seat of my parents’ van on road trips camping. From an early age I knew I wanted to support my life by making art.

Have your goals changed over the years?

My goals tend to change as soon as I achieve them. The part where I am working towards it is the part where I get the most enjoyment.

Do you think you've accomplished them?

I guess I just answered that one huh?

What do you think is the single most important thing in your creative processes?

Loving what I do.

What do you make of your success as an artist? What has been your biggest challenge?

I owe a lot of my success to the community of people in my life. I’ve had some great humans come into my life who have helped me get to where I am. Also, time is a huge factor. I have put in a lot of time making art, whether it’s been tattoos, drawings, or paintings. I have stacked up an ungodly amount of hours making things. Good or bad, they’ve all been apart of the process to where it’s ended up in this moment.

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How have you been getting on lately? How have you been filling your days?

It’s been interesting to say the least. My life took a one hundred and eighty degree turn because of a traumatic car accident. Every simple task we take for granted is a full on ordeal. I’m handling it, though, and learning as I go. I have a great support group. My buddy Brian comes by to take out my trash for me every week. Most days I’m home in San Pedro. Luckily I built an art studio here when I moved into my house so that’s been a saving grace. I spend a lot of time in my studio working on projects, drinking coffee, listening to music, checking in with friends and family. I go to Physical Therapy twice a week. Trying to stay off my feet as much as I can so my leg can heal properly.

When the accident happened, obviously it was incredibly fucked and traumatic, but it also got you to reset your life and slow a bit. We discussed this in person, but I'd love you to explain and expand on it a little bit.

Let’s just say that before my accident I had been in a bit of a rut, mentally and spiritually, for a while. Some things in my personal life had gone awry. When the accident happened I remember once the dust settled from the impact and time froze for a second and I realized what happen, I stepped out of my car and collapsed instantly because my hip was broken and dislocated and I had no idea. My car door was left open and my dog Trip jumped down on the freeway, looked at me, and bolted for help and safety. I could not grab him (he has still not been found).

In that moment, I knew my life had just been changed forever. After being rushed to the ER, going through that process and getting surgery, I eventually woke up in a hospital bed, unable to use my leg and in a severe state of pain. I stayed there for 6 days. I didn’t have my phone for a few days because it was lost in the accident, my mom eventually found it searching my truck in the junk yard, I didn’t pay attention to the TV hanging in the corner, I just sat there with my thoughts. Loved ones visited, I’d maybe sleep for an hour or two here and there. I realized I had to snap out of it. I got second chance. I wanted to make a change in my life and snap the fuck out of it. I had this overwhelming feeling of being grateful to be alive. All in all this accident has been a blessing in disguise.

How might this experience influence/how has it influenced your art and artistic processes?

I have time now. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, more time to make art.