We had the good fortune of connecting with Nate Shockley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nate, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I grew up playing music and always loving various art forms, but I was by no means a visual artist.
I didn’t mean for this to become a career, it was a hobby and escape from myself and the world around me.
But I got so involved and engulfed in it, obsessed in a sense, and kept doing more and selling more and creating more. Now I just can’t stop!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When i was younger i jsut wasted my life away and made short sited decisions. I never felt like I was meant to do more.
Then I found this art form, spent an ungodly amount of time and money on getting good at it, it helped change my life and direct me away from chaos and destruction to something beautiful that will last generations!

I got here by being too stubborn to quit, even when the odds were against me.

Ive learned that sometimes you have to rely on others to help ya get over a rough patch, knowing it’s because they believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself!

Never give up on yourself or your abilities. Just make sure you have a backup plan, cause the bills don’t stop!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t really go out anymore, I’m more of a homebody.
But I would definitely take them to hanging rock to hike and explore.
And I think they’d have to go to freeman’s for food.
At night there’s live music every night in greensboro so pick a place and go!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s been a few people, without there support I don’t know where I’d be. But out of all of them, my Aunt Barb has been the most supportive person in my life, never giving up on me finding my path.
And a man named Brad Owen watched me grow up, and never let me give up on anything. If he was still with us, I know he’d be so proud!

Website: https://Shocksfunctionalart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shocks_functional_art?igsh=MXViaWJ4bTV5enV3MQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1UQFMYxdBK/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shocksart?si=u1TnPx7oo1rQEuLG

Other: You can find me on any platform I may end up on under shocks functional art or just shocks art

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutNorthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.