The artist

About me

Nacho Frades

My name is Nacho Frades, I was born in 1967 in Madrid. I remember my childhood doing always some kind of art — drawing, building structures with wood colored pieces. I was very introvert. At the age of 10 I went to Museo del Prado and saw Goya's dog painted, and I wanted to replicate it with oils. But the most intense memory I have related to painting in those times was to see a portrait of El Greco on a piece of furniture, and realize it were only colors and strokes.

In 1980, when I was 13, I decided to be a painter — mentally, in the deepest of my heart. So I continued painting and drawing and started my formation. At this age I was rejected in a drawing contest because "a child can't draw so well." This was very frustrating in that moment, but in reality, with that sentence, I think I won the contest somehow.

In 1987, I was 20, something magical happened. I found a program called Deluxe Paint, I installed it and I saw a new world. It was very basic, but it allowed me to paint with light.

I could describe my work as Frozen Light. I want to paint questions — questions to the viewer. I want to paint light, color, atmosphere, temperature, time of the day, like little holograms of an instant of perfect perception. I put all my mind when painting; it's almost a deep meditation for me. I'm only painting, and there is no room for other thoughts.

I am very prolific. I have painted more than one thousand artworks, basically because I'm always working and I enjoy it. My works are in many private collections and Museums, like the MoCDA (Museum of Contemporary Digital Art) and MOCA (Museum of CryptoArt), and are present in many countries: United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Royal Caribbean Cruise ships, Spain, Austria, among others.

Formation

1967Born in Madrid, Spain.
1977Joined the CBA (Centro de Bellas Artes), one of the most important private cultural centers in Europe, characterized by its open attitude towards outstanding innovative artistic trends. Developed a very strong drawing practice.
1980Decided to become a painter. Began formal studies in painting and drawing.
1987First contact with digital painting via Deluxe Paint II on an AMSTRAD PC1512. Beginning of a lifelong digital practice.
1990sMasters in the south of Spain under Antonio López, master of Spanish realism.
2000sWorked in the animated film industry, developing a strong passion for digital painting. Created two feature films over six years.
2005Became a full-time digital painter, creating works that inspire a futuristic subconscious.

Awards

FilmGoya Prize to Best Movie — Academy of Film and Movie, Spain.

Exhibitions & Collections

MoCDAMuseum of Contemporary Digital Art — Permanent Collection.
MOCAMuseum of CryptoArt — Genesis Collection.
2021Remote Control — Superchief Gallery, New York.
GlobalWorldwide Exhibition on thousands of billboards all around the world.
PrivateWorks in private collections across the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Poland, France, and Royal Caribbean Cruise ships.

Influences

Hockney, De Chirico, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Velázquez, Monet and Vincent Van Gogh — among others. But my main influence is myself: my childhood in a strange but awesome neighborhood, the streets, the light of the lampposts. All you can see in my works is an experience, a dream, a vision, a memory.