Spray for pay
Artist turned spray paint art into full-time job
Nathan Salmon never dreamed his passion for spray paint art would become his full-time job when he got obsessed with it after a trip to Mexico.
The Halifax-based artist was inspired after watching a street artist make the quick paintings, by request, while on his trip. When he returned, Salmon decided he was going to teach himself how to do it.
“I went into my garage and just figured it out,” the 28-yearold said in between clients during Sydney Ribfest on Sunday.
Seven years later, not only has Salmon mastered the art using non-toxic spray paints, it has become his full-time job. Twelve months of the year, Salmon travels around Canada and the U.S. doing about 50 shows, like Sydney Ribfest and major comic book conventions.
“I don’t sit in front of a canvas for hours,” said Salmon.
“I do this so much now that I don’t really paint to relax anymore.”
Each piece takes about three minutes to complete and Salmon calls himself a “request artist” because each work is custom made. Using stencils and blending techniques, Salmon tries to make sure each piece reflects what the customers is looking for.
“I don’t sit in front of a canvas for hours. I do this so much now that I don’t really paint to relax anymore.”
Nathan Salmon
“I really like it when people tell me to make something random. Then I can make just what I want… pull something from my head,” he said.
Some of his most popular pieces are ones with dreamcatchers, trees and rainbows.
While talking to the Cape Breton Post on Sunday afternoon, a security guard came to collect two painting he commissioned Salmon to make.
“You are a friggin’ artist, man,” the security guard said as he looked at the finished work.
This isn’t the only response Salmon has heard from clients. Often while he is creating his art he’ll hear them say,
“That’s crazy,” or ask him if his paint-covered clothes will ever get clean.
“Just shock usually,” he said.
Thanks to showcasing his work at major comic conventions in North America, Salmon’s art has been bought by celebrities like Chuck Norris and John Barrowman from “Dr. Who.”
“That’s kind of unreal to know celebrities that have your painting,” Salmon said with a grin.
To find out more about Salmon’s work or to commission a piece, call 506-391-6995 or email nathansalmon@hotmail.com.