An Inspired Chat with Nate Mahoney of Downtown

We recently had the chance to connect with Nate Mahoney and have shared our conversation below.

Nate, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. When was the last time you felt true joy?
What brings me true joy these days is painting my cowboy boot series. There’s something incredibly satisfying about capturing the unique character and details of each boot, blending colors, and bringing them to life on canvas. It’s both relaxing and inspiring, allowing me to express creativity in a way that feels deeply personal.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist deeply inspired by the concept of dualities. My work often explores contrasting elements, seeking harmony and tension within opposites. Photography plays a significant role in my creative process, serving as both a medium and a lens through which I capture and reinterpret the world around me. Through my art, I aim to invite viewers into spaces where digital meets analog, rural meets urban, and reality intertwines with imagination.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to conceal who I truly was, hiding my identity as a gay individual out of fear and uncertainty. But as an adult, I’ve embraced my authenticity, feeling liberated to explore and express queer themes in my art. This journey from secrecy to self-acceptance has not only shaped me but continues to inspire my creative work.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Living through the pandemic taught me invaluable lessons about suffering that no successful art show ever could. It revealed that true success isn’t measured by accolades or public recognition but by the resilience and strength required to navigate life’s uncertainties. The outcome isn’t about triumphs displayed on walls. it’s about the continual suffering of survival, the quiet perseverance, and the growth found in simply enduring.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends admire my unique blend of creativity and humor. They highlight my artistic pursuits, especially my innovative AI coffee QR code street art stickers, which showcase my artistic talent and also my clever sense of humor. My ability to merge art with technology in such an engaging way reflects both my creative thinking and playful spirit.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’ve come to realize that maintaining a regular art practice and sharing my work with the world is not just a hobby or profession, it’s what I was born to do. Growing up with a mother who was an art teacher certainly exposed me to the world of creativity early on, but this path wasn’t simply handed to me. Despite her influence, I had to make the conscious decision to pursue art on my own terms.

This journey has been deeply personal. It’s about embracing the call to create, to express, and to connect through my artwork. It wasn’t about following in someone’s footsteps; it was about finding my own rhythm, my own voice, and understanding that art is where I truly belong. Every brushstroke, every canvas, and every exhibition is a testament to the choice I made, to honor the passion that resides within me and to live the life I was meant to live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://natemahoney.com/art
• Instagram: @natemahoney
• Youtube: @natemahoney

Image Credits
Nate Mahoney