Nicholas Bustamante was born and raised in Southern California. He received an M.F.A. from Long Beach State University and a B.A. in studio art from Hulboldt State University. Nicholas currently resides in Ruston, Louisiana, where he is an Assistant Professor of Art at Louisiana Tech University.

Artist Statement

I often take road trips throughout the country in search of abandoned homes and structures. I am drawn to spaces that hold, within them, the evidence of time. Places that, at one time functioned, but now are broken down, mere shadows of what they once had been. My body of work recreates a narrative history for these places. The storytelling aspects of the paintings are meant to be nonlinear, holding, at times, multiple perspectives of the same event. This method of narration is very similiar to the way we recall memories of childhood. The pieces explore ideas of home, shelter, and the way we create our personal space. I consider the work to be contemporary extension of the rich tradition of narrative painting.

The Interview NCLAC: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

NICHOLAS: A forest ranger or artist.

NCLAC: What has been the happiest day of your life?

NICHOLAS: The day I got married.

NCLAC: Who is your favorite artist and why?

NICHOLAS: Jennifer Bartlett, Matthew Ritchie, Walter Martin, and Paloma Munoz, Greegor Crewdson, Charlie White. All of these artists are storytellers.

For more information about Bustamante and his artwork visit his website http://www.nicholasbustamante.com/