Mount Pleasant Artist Gets Creative with Wood, Paint, and Food

Nathan Mortensen, 28, works at The Grind Cafe in Mount Pleasant. However, brewing java is not the only thing giving Nathan his jolt in life. 

A UW-Whitewater graduate who studied Fine Arts, Nathan brings a unique and impressive talent to our area. Most of us hear music and appreciate it's sounds. We can focus on the humming of a particular instrument and can feel it's sound. Music is a defining medium which helps create a culture – not to mention, puts a boogy in our butts. I defy you to show me a person who does not enjoy listening to music. I do, however, wonder how many of us take the time to realize the visual beauty of a musical instrument. 

“The instrument is not only a work of art visually, it is a tool used by artists in the creation of music,” shares Nathan.

Nathan has a tendency to convert virtually anything into a journey through the eyes of an artist. But his favorite art form is creating instruments from wood. The precision of the detail in his work are nothing short of remarkable. And the fact that these pieces can subsequently create a completely alternate form of art is simply priceless. Through Nathan's talents, other artists can share their talents. Artistically paying it forward, what a neat concept.

“My favorite art medium is wood. Each piece has it's own character and is unique,” explains Nathan.  

But his interests do not stop there. 

“When I am not in the wood shop, I really enjoy painting with watercolor,” he shares, “I am also seeing cooking as an art as well. Professional cooks, in my opinion, could also be called artists. The preparation, the layering of flavors and presentation all become part of an art form.”

Nathan has impressed his bosses, The Grind's owners Lisa and Steve Novak, to the point that they consider him one of their own. 

“If I could have more Nate's, I could have more shops. I give him free reign and set no restraints. He has the run of the place,” Steve boasts, “There are just so many great things about Nate; again, he is like a son.”

From choosing the wood and designing the body of a guitar to incorporating watercolors over ink drawings to creating new and flavorful recipes, Nathan fills his life with the beauty of all senses. The touch of the vibrating strings, the abstract visions created by unique painting techniques, the smell of fresh baked molasses cookies and the taste of ambrosial flavorings are all part of what Nathan has to offer in making our community a more pleasant place to live.

“I plan to continue creating art and expanding on the skills and knowledge which I have built. I plan to keep learning as that is the way to grow stronger as an artist,” he said.

Perhaps we should all take a page from Nathan's play book. Create, expand, learn and grow. And in the meantime, appreciate the hidden art in life which we sometimes fail to recognize. Oh! And try Nathan's smoothie at The Grind – Breakfast in a Cup – I hear it is all the rage!!