Born in Detroit, seasoned in Chicago, and based currently out of Los Angeles, Love & Nate (Nate Zepp) has consistently produced thought provoking art in a variety of mediums since 1986. Detailed hand drawn sketches quickly turned into full scale animations and he had his own website with a comment wall by the time he turned 7 years old, much to the shock and dismay of the authorities. This mischievous boy never fit in, nor did he ever want to, but he tried to for many years.

In 2008 at 21 years old, he built his first ‘Metaverse’ with his art in a walkable gallery but demand was not there. He was shockingly 12 years ahead of the Metaverse trend in an era when most kids were just learning MySpace.

Nate progressed in his business career but his heart was never in it. He privately battled mental health challenges by using art as therapy. He hated that he couldn’t show his talents and that his talents wouldn’t pay the bills. He bubbled on the inside like a volcano. Nate took a special interest in reverse pop art window painting, graphic design, app development, illustration, atmospheric music, poetry, animation, podcasts, and fashion. His poetry, window art, anti-bullying children’s book and mobile app have been revered world-wide for their value and energy. He worked on these nightly in one hour blocks for over a decade while trying to “climb the corporate ladder” that he genuinely despised with every fiber of his being.

Once Nate ‘‘climbed the ladder’’ to a senior leadership position everyone told him would be his dream job, he clearly identified this specific pursuit of success was a ridiculous lie, one that has always made him mentally and physically sick. Nate was dying, literally.

After nearly being taken away by the demons of PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression , Nate fought back. He gained clarity, strength, and took the time to re-emerge as an adult version of his childhood spirit. He had to dramatically taste death to thirst for life again. This journey has lead to a perspective shift of the highest degree and the desire to be a resource for anyone else who is struggling.

2022 has taken Nate down a journey into Web3, Blockchain, and NFT creation + collection. Art is now a full time job for the first time in his life, fulfilling both a dream and a destiny.

The artist sees no boundaries and is actively putting out 1 of 1 NFT’s and taking in custom work requests while he prepares for the launch of SMPLFRKS, a generative project continuing the rich story from his book, ‘Marvin Stench’. 2023 launch of his community of creatives known as the Starving Artists, which aims to give a linear path for others who need to break out of jobs that make them sick and back into something that lights up their soul.

Nate now gauges his “success” on how excited he is to get out of bed each morning vs. job titles, promotions, or a big fat base salary.