From an early age, Nathan T. Ota always found himself drawing pictures over doing his homework by copying various cartoons, comic books, photographs and old punk rock flyers. Nathan’s first influences started from looking at his older brother’s Frank Frazetta calendars and Vampirella comics. His mother, also an artist, and Father encouraged and supported his love for art at an early age. In the mid 80’s, he discovered graffiti art as a medium to express himself on various public spaces in Los Angeles. This influence still permeates his personal work today.
Ota works as a freelance illustrator and teaches at Otis College of Art and Design, CA and Santa Monica College, CA. He has illustrated several of Henry Rollins’ spoken word CD covers including; The Boxed Life, Big Ugly Mouth, Sweatbox, Live at McCabe’s and Human Butt. A partial list of clients include; The Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Virgin Interactive, Capitol Records, and 2.13.61 Publication.