Nick Dahlen's vigorous artistic endeavors play with kind and shadow
The shapes in Nick Dahlen's creations are strong yet sleek, with satisfying bends and curves accented by thick, dense shadows. His textures have the dirty quality of early airbrush art, which seems to be a trace of his past dealing with graffiti.
Dahlen's artwork also has a sense of rhythm, which may explain why he has received a number of album cover contracts for musicians like Dan Kye (the pseudonym of London-based musician Jordan Rakei). When he is not depicting people and human forms, he instead sets out to elevate everyday objects and natural scenes, highlighting the shaky charm of the world around him.
Album art for Dan Kye & # 39; s Small Moments. All pictures by Nick Dahlen
Album cover for The Passing Through The Doorways Of Your Mind by The Psychedelic Freaks
His favorite jobs so far have been for two restaurants in Australia. “That was fun because it just felt like it came at a time when I was just figuring out a new style and they were like, 'Hey, can you make groceries? 'Which really had no experience at the time – I had just made some fruits – so I was forced to dig deeper into a subject that I probably wouldn't have done without that.
"Ever since then, I've felt like I want to deepen this excitement of doing things I haven't done before. I mean, it has to do with all of my reason why I love doing art in the first place – that you can really do it anytime can use the energy of everything around you. "
Dahlen always drew at a young age. His father was "a bit of an artist," he tells us, and he remembers being fascinated by what his father could come up with. “But my grandmother, his mother, also definitely collected things from everywhere – art, figurines, posters with paintings and what not. She actually had a crazy collection of giraffe figurines and sculptures in her house that I've always loved, ”he says.
She also had posters with artwork by artists such as R.C. Gorman and G.E. Mullan. “The curvy lines of these figures influenced me a lot from a young age in my opinion. Some of my first pictures that I think you just tried to capture G.E. Mullan poster. "
Dahlen knew he was aiming for a career in art, but was also all too aware of how difficult it is to survive as an artist right off the bat. "I didn't know anyone or anything and I knew it was probably going to take me some time to get to that point, so graphic design seemed like the next best option," he explains.
He studied graphic design for a year, learning how to use software instead of techniques or theory, and it wasn't until later that his own aesthetic took shape. “My own style just came from living life, soaking up things and experiences, and understanding what I identify with,” he tells us, adding that an integral part of his creative journey has been practicing and failing allow.
According to Dahlen, Minneapolis has a lot to offer creatives. "It's nice for you. Lots of culture, people, creative energy and voices," although he tends to keep to himself in his art practice. "I'm quite an introvert and a lonely ranger, so I've never really dealt with many" creative scenes " connected."
“I think a lot about how I could have continued my career if I'd been more of a 'familiar' place, but it made me who I am, so I can only be grateful right? I just never saw opportunities that I thought were worthy or appropriate, so I stayed with myself and watched the world, ”he says. "I really think that all you need is time to live and grow into yourself and your voice … everyone has such a different life and path that makes it beautiful."
nickdahlen.com