What's New
A happy couple (dear friends & collectors), Tharon & Curt, at the unveiling of their new commissioned painting, featuring their lovely Awendaw, SC waterfront sanctuary!
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Awendaw, SC
Energy Matters
In this “Energy Matters" podcast, hosted by Robin Berlinsky and her co-host Ron Smalls, Tate discusses his upcoming “imagiNation” joint exhibit with rug artist / friend Cada McCoy.
imagiNation: Joyful paintings of Tate Nation reimagined into vibrant rugs by Cada McCoy... Her Inspiration and Creative Process
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Mt. Pleasant, SC
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Mt. Pleasant, SC
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Charleston, SC
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Charleston, SC
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“Seaside Resort”
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Mt. Pleasant, SC
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Lexington, KY
Check out this recent Interview with Katie Turner, host of WCBD-TV2’s “Living Local”…
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Honolulu, HI
2 NEW PUZZLES!!
NEW PAINTING for the new MUSC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL!
This new painting was commissioned by the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in downtown Charleston; Quite an honor for me! ~ At 4 feet wide X 3 feet high (a bit larger than most of my paintings), its new home will be in the lobby of a floor whose theme is “Cruising in the Lowcountry.” It’s my hope that it’ll provide many smiles and much joy to the hospital’s young patients and their families & friends!
THE PAINTED CELLO STORY
I am often asked to re-tell the touching story about my PAINTED CELLO, and I never get tired of telling it, so here goes... With thanks in advance for reading it, I'll do my best to keep it somewhat brief (I know, it gets a little long, but I promise, it's well worth reading!):
In the summer of 2014, a representative of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League asked me if I would be willing to paint on a cello that they would provide, to then be auctioned at a September CSO gala fundraiser. I agreed, and within days, a beautiful cello was delivered to my studio. Before I'd had time to do much more than sand down the glossy surfaces (so that it would accept my paints), and begin planning the paintings (front & back), I received a call with bad news: My brother, John, had been diagnosed with cancer. As quickly as I could, I tied up loose ends here in Charleston, loaded the barely-begun cello and some paints & brushes into the back of my Subaru, and drove to Louisville, KY, to help John in any ways that I could.
For the next couple of months, I assumed the role of 'round-the-clock Caregiver, getting John to and from daily radiation treatments and weekly half-day chemo appointments, paired with the ongoing routines of meals, laundry, housekeeping, yard work, etc. Meanwhile, though, anytime I could spare a few moments or an hour or two here and there, I worked on painting the cello, and it soon became a beautiful (and much needed!) distraction for John, who was, by that point incredibly sick and worn down from all of the treatments.
John is, by the way, a professional photographer and artist, too, so he got quite caught up in the process, and loved watching me work on it, every chance that I got. Often, when I, too, was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, he would urge me to paint on the cello, which I always did... as much for his enjoyment as for keeping myself on track with the auction deadline. Whenever guests would drop by to visit with John, the first thing he would do was to ask me to show them the cello... and before long it became sort of a point of interest among neighbors and friends. Many who would come by to visit John began asking to see my progress on the cello, and would even stay and watch me paint, as John spent hours joyfully watching the project develop.
Fast forward two months, and well over 100 hours of cello-painting squeezed in here and there, in stolen moments between hospital & doctor visits ~ I finally finished the paintings, and it was time to return to Charleston for the CSO gala. One of our sisters (there are 5 Nation "kids" by the way; a tight-knit family!) came to Louisville to help John while I drove back home with the cello, for the auction/ fundraiser.
My dear friend Melissa accompanied me to the event at the historic Rice Mill Building on the Ashley River, a spectacular black-tie evening of fine food, drinks, and entertainment by members of the CSO. I was extremely proud as the cello was presented for auction, and stunned when, much to my surprise, Melissa began bidding on my cello!! When the bidding ended, she had the winning bid... and still somewhat shocked, I said to her, "Wow!! I can't believe you bought my cello!!"... Then, with a mischievous smile, Melissa turned to me and said, "...Actually your brother John just bought it!!" I was floored, and completely overcome with emotion! John had sneakily contacted her and instructed her to buy the cello for him, as a joyous constant reminder of his family's love and devotion during the toughest time of his life!
The cello now permanently resides on display in John's living room, and I'm thrilled to say that he is doing great, and according to the finest doctors in Louisville, he has apparently kicked cancer's evil butt, thankfully! And I'm just glad that I had the flexibility and opportunity to spend those months lovingly helping John back on the road to recovery.
Life is Good!
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Virginia Beach, VA
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Moncks Corner, SC
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Pretty Place Chapel, Greenville, SC
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Long Beach, CA
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Longbight / Eleuthera, Bahamas
Needlepoint Canvas Patterns
I’ve recently joined forces and contracted with purplepalmdesigns.com, a wholesale needlepoint designer who has created beautiful needlepoint canvas patterns translated from thirteen of my colorful paintings (...with more soon to come!), and distributes them nationwide. Although I don’t know the first thing about needlepoint, I must say they look incredible! I can’t wait to see them stitched and completed! Please share this with friends you know who do needlepoint, or who may want to learn. Pretty cool, if I do say so myself! :)
A Style All His Own
By Leah Rhyne
Charleston Living Magazine
https://www.charlestonlivingmag.com/a-style-all-his-own
Talking with Charleston-based artist Tate Nation feels a lot like chatting with a friend. Discussions can veer from running (he’s had major knee surgery and is not currently supposed to run), to snowy winters spent in upstate New York (he came south seeking warmer climes), to the ins and outs of swimming freestyle (he was an NCAA collegiate athlete).
But despite his easy, laid back demeanor, it’s clear: Tate Nation is a hard-core professional artist, in Charleston to stay.
When we spoke, Nation was on Day 3 of the 17-day Piccolo Spoleto Art Show in Marion Square. His tent – possibly bigger than his King Street gallery space – was crammed full of color: acrylic pieces on wood in bright hues with almost a Keith Haring feel. The day was hot and muggy, although what late-May day in Charleston isn’t hot and muggy? Days at the art show begin around 10, and carry on past dark, and barring bad weather, artists are expected to be present the whole time, representing their work to the throngs of Spoleto art aficionados.
And yet, despite this, Nation is full of energy, offering a handshake and a grin to every potential customer who entered his stall. “I’m Tate,” he says, as though it wasn’t his name hovering over the tent’s doorway. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
Casual talk for an artist who’s been in the business for decades, and who’s painted commissions for the United States Postal Service, Coca Cola, and Delta Airlines, to name a few. He was juried into the Piccolo Spoleto Art Show 17 years ago, and has appeared there ever since. In 2016, he entered the Cooper River Bridge poster artwork contest for the first time…and won. Thus, Nation’s art was displayed around the Lowcountry on posters honoring the 40th anniversary of the Cooper River Bridge Run.
These are no small fetes, one must admit, but show the pedigree of an artist perhaps at his prime.
Nation’s career began in conventional waters. Always interested in art, he began working for a screen-printing company after college. That lead to a career in freelance graphic design and book illustration (for a local example of this, check out his illustrations in Yo Millard Fillmore! (And All Those Other Presidents You Don’t Know) by Charleston-based writer Will Cleveland).
But after 15 years of illustration, the gallery life called him home. Soon he began fine-tuning his style, which doesn’t have a name but is 100% Tate Nation. “I’d recognize your stuff anywhere,” a friend told him recently, making Nation’s day.
The Tate Nation style is heavy on beachy, Caribbean influences, and is chock-full of Charleston too. Sweetgrass baskets, Society Street – downtown Charleston holds sway in many of Nation’s pieces.
“I paint from my imagination,” Nation says. He starts with a sketch to nail down the composition. “Getting the composition right is everything to me.” It tends to morph as he goes, adding a bicycle here, a streetlight there.
Then he layers on the paint. Flipping through his phone, he shows off the life cycle of a recent painting – a sketch of some irises, a layer of deep blue paint, a chalk rendering, and then lots more layers of color, creating a painting reminiscent of Van Gogh but still entirely…Tate Nation.
Recently, he’s begun doing commissioned portraits of houses. It began on a whim – a friend asked him to paint a portrait of his home, “but now it’s a large part of what I do. I have a waiting list of six or so right now. I’m not really fast, so it takes a little while.”
Commissions go from $4,500-$10,000. Gallery paintings can be less…or more. Prices are set in part based on hours spent working each piece. “I’m not very fast” has translated, in certain works, to hundreds of hours, all on a single board. To get ready for a show like Spoleto, his entire Park Circle house turned into a studio. “Since I use acrylics, I wash a lot of brushes in the kitchen. Sometimes I even paint there. There’s good light in my kitchen.”
He laughs, though, when talking about his house portrait commissions. “I wonder, when people ask me to do them, if they know what I paint. How I paint. I mean, do they really want what I’m going to do?”
Considering the price tag - the awards and accolades of an artist in his prime - and a style that’s all Tate Nation, it’s safe to say…they do.
Piccolo Spoleto
This couple from Georgia came in to my Piccolo Spoleto art exhibit tent in Marion Square, wearing t'shirts from the two years that my paintings were chosen as the official image for the Festival (2000 and 2010)! How cool is that?!?
A tremendous honor! This MARSH HOUSE PORTRAIT
This commission was a truly Special Honor! I was privileged to be commissioned by renowned Charleston artist Betty Anglin Smith's husband, Cody, to paint this as his surprise gift to Betty for their 50th Wedding Anniversary! It's of their beautiful 100 year old marsh house in Meggett, SC, where Betty paints and they spend much family time! Happy Anniversary Cody and Betty, and thank you for allowing me this honor!
COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN 2017... Official Artist of the 40th Annual Bridge Run!
BIG Exciting NEWS around my studio!! My Painting "the Big 4-0" was recently chosen as the Winning Artwork for the 40th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run, the third largest 10K and fifth largest road race in the United States!
For the April 1, 2017 race, my painting will be featured on 50,000 t'shirts, thousands of posters, and untold amounts of race gear, promotional schwag, awards, and prizes. To say that I'm honored would be a huge understatement. Sign up for the race and you'll receive some of those goodies! I hope to see you in Charleston for the run, or at any of the 40 days & 40 nights of events leading up to Race Day!
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Downtown Charleston, SC
Commissioned by the couple who recently restored this 1840 house near the Charleston Museum and Fountain Park.
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White Point Gardens, Charleston Battery
Commissioned by a gentleman in Madrid, Spain as a surprise gift to his wife, to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of their wedding in Charleston.
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Sullivans Island, SC
A 75th Birthday surprise for a gentleman, commissioned by his daughter & wife.
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Lake Lure, NC
A surprise Anniversary gift, commissioned by a good friend for her husband, a long-time good friend of mine!
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Charleston, SC
A family's new home (including their 2 cats!), downtown near Hampton Park.
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Breckenridge, CO
A Texas couple's vacation home in Colorado, commissioned by the wife, as a surprise gift for her husband.
The Dancing Bear Lodge
Recently, I had the tremendous pleasure and privilege of delivering this house portrait to my long-time dear friend, Lee Helmer, that his wife, Lynn, commissioned me to create as a surprise gift for their anniversary! It's a painting of their beautiful Lake Lure, NC mountain house ("the Dancing Bear Lodge"), jam-packed with lots of personal details and love. To say that Lee was stunned by Lynn's surprise would be a huge understatement! I was incredibly honored to have played a role in their anniversary surprise.
New Puzzle! Cooper River Bridge Run
New Puzzles Are Now Available!!
The Stieber Family
The Stieber Family is thrilled with their new house portrait! ... and so am I!
Gadsden Street, Charleston
A special graduation gift for a recent NC State University graduate!
This recent graduate's mother commissioned me to paint some of her favorite spots on campus, and presented her with it immediately after graduation ceremonies! Nice gift from a proud mom!
New House Portrait - Very Happy Customers!
Just delivered this house portrait, commissioned by Jana & Steve Edgington, of their home in downtown Charleston... and they were thrilled! ...which is why we drank a toast to celebrate it at 11am! Yup, Cheers!! :)
I had an awesome week in BOSTON last month as ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE at the Jackson School!
While there, I conducted painting workshops with some incredibly creative & talented 4th, 5th, & 6th grade artists, and had so much fun showing & discussing some of the kids' books I've illustrated with grades k-3.
... Can't wait to go back again!
50th Anniversary Commission...
I'm honored to have been commissioned by CAROLINA ONE REAL ESTATE to paint a custom iconic Charleston scene in celebration of their 50th Anniversary... At their grand gala & awards ceremony, my original painting was unveiled, and each of the hundreds of attendees was given a commemorative print!
In this interview, TV host Warren Peper talks with Tate about his passion for painting
College of Charleston Limited Edition Prints
NEW! "College of Charleston" limited edition prints, available in two sizes!
A perfect gift for students, recent graduates, or alumni!
Turkey Day Run #35!
I'm pleased and quite honored that for the 2nd year in a row, Charleston's TURKEY DAY RUN (incidentally, the largest TDR in the USA!) has chosen one of my paintings -- "James Cistern Boats" -- to be featured on over 6,000 t'shirts, as well as on posters and other promotional materials!(read the announcement on their site) www.turkeydayrun.com
Start your Thanksgiving morning off right with a fun 5k run along with 6,000 of your closest buddies, and get a great-looking shirt to prove you did it! See you there.
2011 Turkey Day 5k Run
My painting, "On the Harbor" was selected as the official poster & t-shirt image for the 2011 Turkey Day 5k Run in Charleston. Watch the video interview!
Creger/Shingler House
Just delivered this new house portrait commission to a very excited Brad Creger and Louisa Shingler in Mt. Pleasant!
Before I begin a house portrait painting, I visit with the client in their home and talk with them at length, finding out the things that make their home so special to them. I take scores (sometimes hundreds!) of photos, from all angles, from both close-up and far off, and of every possible detail, so that as I paint I can incorporate numerous personal details to help capture the home's character.
If you'd like to discuss commissioning me for a house portrait or another private work, please contact me.
Official Poster Image for the 2010 Piccolo Spoleto Festival
At a May, 2010 press conference with Charleston mayor Joe Riley and officials from the Piccolo Spoleto Festival,one of my abstract paintings, "Connections", was unveiled and introduced as the Official Poster Image for the 2010 Piccolo Spoleto Festival!
"Connections" was featured on thousands of posters and t'shirts throughout the Festival, as well as on the covers of tens of thousands of program guides!
By the way, having previously been featured as the Festival's Official Poster Artist in 2000, I'm now a member of an elite group of only 3 or 4 artists to have ever been honored as a repeat winner in the Festival's 32 year history!
The Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department
The Mt. Pleasant (SC) Recreation Department recently cut the ribbon on its brand new Senior Recreation Center, complete with seven large framed canvas giclee prints that the town commissioned me to reproduce from some of my favorite paintings. I’m honored that they chose to feature ONLY my artwork throughout the Center, so it’s kind of a private gallery, and I’ve received many nice comments from their patrons. If you’re in Mt. Pleasant, please stop by and see this beautiful facility!
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Mt. Pleasant, SC
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