Entering Nick Aguayo’s Eagle Rock studio one finds them-self tip-toing in an abstract maze of levity and controlled chaos. I think of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew playing on a 1980s Aiwa Ghetto blaster in a Paul Thomas Anderson film with Anderson directing high on Lysergic acid diethylamide. Over the years I have seen ginormous Aguayo solo-booth paintings at prestigious art fairs. One would think that paintings of that scale that this Aguayo-guy would be your typical New York prick-douchebag axe-to-grind macho-turd. Instead, when meeting Aguayo you get the contrary. He is a non-belicose sweetheart of a teddy bear. It’s hard to imagine someone as childlike as Aguayo making paintings worthy of The Met. (Oh…and by the way, Aguayo reminds me of Mike Piazza, formerly with the Mets. Ha.)
Fortunately, for Nick Aguayo, whose art studio is a mere extension of his painting landscape, Aguayo stands tall among the abstract legends. His instinct for color and use of free-standing composition are definite head turners and reasons to halt mid-stride when passing by one or a grouping of his paintings. Instinctually, Aguayo’s paintings work where many abstract artists take it on the chin hoping one day, their bad abstracts hope to make sense. More impressive in his aesthetic is that Aguayo’s work does not scream California or West Coast like Hockney or Diebenkorn. His work merits bi-coastal impressions in color and grandeur. One would never know if he was working out of an Oakland or Brooklyn studio.
EMS, Hollywood. August 2018
Here are a few questions I asked Nick…..
What do you think of Los Angeles and it’s current art scene? What’s the biggest change in the last 10-Years?
Some days I drive around Los Angeles and I feel just like Randy Newman in his music video “I love LA”. The city has such a beautiful energy and I’m constantly inspired just walking from my studio to the am/pm. I feel lucky to be living and working here in this moment. . I moved here in 2005 to go to UCLA for undergrad. The biggest change I’ve noticed, especially in the last 5 years or so, is the scale and volume of art spaces popping up. It’s hard to keep up with everything, there’s so much to see now. The audience for art in LA seems to be growing too, which is exciting.
Who or what has influenced you the most creatively?
My teachers, friends, and family.
If you could intern with any artist in history who will it be?
Sister Corita Kent.
What is your art education?
I went to UCLA for undergrad and studied with artists like Roger Herman, Lari Pittman, and Bart Exposito. Later on I went to grad school at UC Irvine and studied with Monica Majoli, Kevin Appel, Simon Leung, and Connie Samaras. I’ve been really lucky to have incredible teachers that all had a huge impact on me. I feel that my art education is never ending. I am always trying to look and read and listen. I feel like I am learning new things in the studio all the time. I always feel like I have so much more to learn, and that’s
nice.
Do you experience FOMO?
Sometimes…when I’m a curmudgeon and I decide to stay in instead of going out. Although in the end, I’m usually happy I stayed home!
Have you ever experienced bullying or being stalked in the art career?
Luckily, I have not experienced bullying or stalking up to this point. However, if anyone would like to stalk me I eat lunch at Zankou chicken in glendale every other day.
Besides art, what other career would you have chosen?
I would probably be a librarian or work in a record store.
If someone played your life in a movie who would it be? Would it be a comedy, action film, drama or? …who would be the love interest if applicable?
I would ideally be played by Danny Trejo and my girlfriend would be played by Paz Vega. It would be a drama, but with plenty of slapstick physical comedy. If my life was a movie the most important part would be the soundtrack.
What are your favorite top 3 art spots in LA?
The Hammer Museum is very important to me. I would just hang out there a lot during my time at UCLA, and saw a lot of shows while I was in school that helped form my perspective. The Brand Library in Glendale is gorgeous and has an insane selection of art books. I only recently learned of it, but it’s a new favorite. Lastly, Susanne Vielmetter LA Projects. I feel really honored to show with Susanne. She has one of the most rigorous programs in Los Angeles and the gallery is experiencing a particularly exciting moment of growth by expanding downtown.
If your art was put to music, who would it be?
Probably either Django Reinhardt or The Ramones.
Has social media played a role in your art career? How so?
Not really, but it can be fun. I love seeing what people are up to and I enjoy sharing what I’m up to. Sometimes making art can feel a bit lonely.I have been lucky enough to meet some great artists and have traded studio visits after connecting on social media…that has by far been the best thing to come from it.
If it wasn’t for your art outlet, do you believe you would be in jail?
I wish I was that bad ass, but no way. If I didn’t make art I’d probably go to the beach more.
What is your favorite film about art?
I rented Basquiat from blockbuster video when I was in the 7th grade. I had always made art but didn’t realize being an artist was cool until I saw that movie.
Who is your top 3 all time favorite artists?
That’s an impossible question. Here are 3 out of 300: Matisse, Alice Coltrane, and Andy Kauffman.
