In his early twenties, Nevada Silva earned his living by installing and repairing air conditioning and heating units for commercial businesses and as a journeyman sheet-metal specialist. The work was hard and the hours were long, but it paid the bills. With company cut backs, Nevada was forced into a career change, which ended up being a very good thing. That crisis, he said, put him on a path that would lead him to his true calling; art.
At 27 and while living in Modesto California, Nevada started creating works of art out of metal. Each one of his pieces begins with a specific vision that is physically manipulated into a chosen metal. Working with a wide range of tools and equipment, Silva uses his extensive welding experience to create inspired productions using metals such as mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and bronze. Most of Nevada’s pieces are characterized by a unique finish created using an oxyacetylene torch that brings out the metals natural and brilliant colors. A fascinating chemical process also results in a kaleidoscopic array of patinas that truly are one of a kind. His creative display of colors and form are indescribably imaginative in sculptures ranging from freestanding, interior and exterior furnishing, decorative fences and gates, custom doors, railings, light fixtures, and water features. An unlimited number of possibilities in metal!
"Everything that I do is a vision and an expression. I love being able to create things, especially when someone comes to me with an idea that I can bring to life."
At 29 Nevada opened his first fine art gallery, Lost Art Gallery and Design. Along with the gallery, Nevada showed his metal creations at multiple art shows including:
Dana Point The Shed an Artisans Gallery
Danville Fine Arts Faire
Indian Wells Art Festival
Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival
Marin Art Festival
Mistlin Gallery Annual Spring Art Show
Mountain View A la Carte & Art Fine Arts & Crafts
Napa Valley Art Festival
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
Palm Springs Desert Art Festival
Pleasanton Heritage Festival
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire
San Francisco Artist Alley Gallery
San Francisco Fine Art Fair at Fort Mason
Squaw Valley Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
Tahoe Art League Fine Art Festival
Turlock Art in the Garden
Turlock Annual Spring Juried Art Show & Sale
Walnut Creek Semi-Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts and Crafts Festival
At 33, Nevada followed his passion for surfing and sailing and decided to sell his gallery, buy a sail boat, and quickly relocate to Laguna Beach California. It is here today that he is dedicated to a cutting edge and original approach to design. Nevada’s true reward is sharing his vision with the world. When he’s not in his studio being creative, he’s likely enjoying another one of his many pursuits as a self-described “outdoor freak.” Along with surfing, and sailing, he loves camping, hiking and fishing and he’s also a motorcycle enthusiast. Nevada feels blessed to be able to celebrate his artistic passion for the enjoyment of others, while being able to live in beautiful Southern California.