Thiasus of the Atom Mull it Over by a Pond
ArtistNat Reedcreates retro-inspired illustrations with a surreal twist.
But Reed is not interested in simply regurgitating the past.
Reed held many non-creative jobs, including several government positions, before becoming a full-time artist.
“Thiasus of the Atom Mull it Over by a Pond”
While many might feel discouraged, for Reed, they proved invaluable.
Scroll down to read our exclusive interview.
Gilded Longings in the Atomic Age
You worked non-creative jobs prior to working full-time as an artist.
“Gilded Longings in the Atomic Age”
What kind of jobs did you have?
I had several government jobs.
The first was a maintenance job at the Orange County sanitation district (sewer plant).
“La Villa Basque”
I applied there for a summer job after taking a tour of the plant with a class.
The plant was built in the early sixties and I was absolutely enamored with the control center.
The circular glass front, UFO-like observation structure was straight out of a Japanese Godzilla movie.
“Cuckoo for Caravans”
La Villa Basque
How have these positions influenced your art making?
It was very informative to an already strong interest in post-war architecture and design.
Cuckoo for Caravans
You grew up in a family of creatives.
“Levitt Schawrtz House”
What did they teach you about being an artist?
They taught me almost nothing formally.
The influence came more from the valuing of creativity and originality and the making of interesting things.
“The Bachelor”
Do you feel like you’ve followed in their footsteps or forged your own path?
I think I’ve followed the ethos of my family, in the way I perceived it.
That’s the sort of organic journey I’ve been on with my art.
“Utopian II”
It’s been a pretty unconscious progression that brought me to this body of work.
We got very good at conjuring up fantasy worlds to amuse us.
Levitt Schawrtz House
The Bachelor
How would you describe the idea of Familiar Modern?
“Malibu Modern”
That’s only familiar in the way of vague background noise.
How does Googie influence your art?
The attitude of Googie has a strong influence on my work.
Left: “The Tropic Of Cancer And Other Ports O F Call On The Dilatory Voyage Of A Vagabond Heart”Right: “Giant Authoritarian Peacock From Outerspace”
What about Googie is interesting to you?
Utopian II
What’s your process like to create your images?
Usually, I’m referencing real architecture.
“Valley Studies, Eichler # 1”
At that point, the scene I’m creating has already bubbled up somewhere in my head.
I start with a concept sketch but draw the piece digitally.
The largest part of my work is prints.
“Valley Studies, Krisel”
What is the significance of adding these throw in of elements to your images?
Yes, the handling of nostalgia in my work is far from pure.
I don’t want to make postcards of the past.
“Valley Studies, Eichler # 2”
Adding pastiche on top of pastiche is one of my favorite things.
I’m extremely attracted to the work of Lari Pittman who does it so brilliantly.
Malibu Modern
You have a gallery of your work in Palm Springs.
What is it like running that and creating artwork?
It’s been a lot of work and really gratifying.
I think that most artists would prefer to control the presentation.
It’s the icing on the cake, to create the environment for my framed environments.
What’s on the horizon for you?
Anything exciting you might tell us about?
My answer to that is evolving now.
I was diagnosed, this year, with ALS.
I now see time in a more compressed and urgent way.
I want to focus more on the pieces in the latter category and create more connective tissue between pieces.
This Book is Full of Illustration Ideas from 50 of the Best Illustrators
