Oscar Nelson is an Astoria native, co-owner of Sweet Relief Cannabis, and self-described “simple guy.” His stated goal for the a-i-r residency is to explore his current small-scale black-and-white painting series in large format and scale to convey a combination of emotion and silence. “I want to give people the joyful, quiet experience I get from creating these paintings as well as give people an oasis, a quiet center they can come back to again and again,” says Oscar. “There is an intensity and impulsiveness that comes out in my art and surprises me sometimes. These artistic surprises are something I cherish...”