My Journey as an Artist
Art for me has never been a straight path. It’s been a tide, rising, falling, breaking, and reshaping me again and again. Looking back now, I can see how every experience, every place I’ve lived and every wave I’ve watched, has influenced the art I create today. My journey as an artist is not a story about ambition alone, but about connection - to the ocean, to emotion, to memory, and to the world around us.
I was born on Washington State’s Kitsap Peninsula and then raised from age thirteen in Northeast Florida, a place where the Atlantic Ocean was always part of the horizon and part of the heartbeat. That early connection with the water became more than a pastime; it became part of who I am. Surfing taught me about patience, timing, and respect for forces larger than myself. Those lessons would eventually find their way into my art.
From Practice to Passion - Becoming Self-Taught
Unlike many artists who follow a traditional academic route, I came to art in a more personal way. I am self-taught, driven not by classroom critique but by curiosity, experimentation, and instinct. I immersed myself in influences that spoke to me - artists like Pollock, Van Gogh, and Cezanne - who showed me that expression, emotion, and movement could be as important as technique. Their work reaffirmed that true artistry comes from the depth of feeling behind every line and color.
Learning to paint wasn’t about mastering rules first. It was about learning to feel the rhythm of every brushstroke, and to respect what the wood, texture, and medium could contribute to the final work. I’ve always worked primarily with acrylic on panel, and often allow the natural grain of the wood to become part of the painting itself—letting nature participate in the creative process rather than forcing control over it.
Oceans, Landscapes, and Emotional Landscapes
My art revolves around themes nurtured by the ocean lifestyle, yes, but it also goes deeper. There is a narrative in every piece: it may speak of a cherished memory, an environmental concern, or the way light softens as the day fades. Some pieces clearly evoke surfboards, line-ups, and waves; others carry subtler hints of water, motion, and transformation. I want people not just to see my work, but to feel it emotionally, visually, and maybe even spiritually.
With each new body of work, I aim to explore relationships between energy and water, between life and emotion, between form and memory. I use surreal symbolism, hidden elements, and sometimes even political or environmental commentary to invite viewers deeper into the story. My hope is that the art becomes a conversation rather than a static image - that it opens room for reflection, interpretation, and connection.
The Path at Joshua Tree - Art by Nathan Gibbs
A Global Influence and an Environmental Heart
Over the years I’ve been fortunate to create art throughout the world, in Fiji, Bora Bora, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, and Australia. These places, each with their unique light and ocean spirit, have shaped my visual vocabulary and expanded my understanding of how nature can move us.
But travel and beauty alone aren’t the whole story. I believe art should have purpose beyond decoration. Much of my work is environmentally based, not just inspired by nature. I’ve always felt a responsibility to give back to the oceans and beaches that have given me so much. This belief led me to support water-related charities, organizations like the Surfrider Foundation, Surfers Healing, and Surf Aid International. Through art shows and fundraising, these efforts have raised thousands of dollars for causes that protect the seas and the communities that depend on them.
Recognition Without Limits
Along the way, my work has been exhibited in over 80 gallery shows, fairs, and events across the globe and featured in nearly thirty web and print publications. Collectors as far away as Ireland, Sweden, and South America have welcomed my pieces into their homes - and every collection is a reminder that art resonates when it reaches beyond borders.
I’ve also had the honor of receiving the Earth Day “GAIA” Environmental Award for my philanthropic contributions, a recognition that affirms how creativity and conscience can work together.
Today and Beyond
Today, my studio in Southern Orange County is both a workspace and a reflection of the journey I’m still on. Creating art is like surfing in many ways: you read the conditions, you feel your place in the moment, and you commit to a ride that’s never quite the same twice. I never stop learning, experimenting, or exploring.
Art, to me, is not a destination - it’s a perpetual journey of discovery. And I’m grateful that each piece brings me closer to what matters most: understanding ourselves, honoring nature, and sharing a story that others can connect with, long after the paint is dry.