ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Every cool idea starts somewhere.

Like enveloping a dainty room in 180 pieces of art.

“And so, in your brain, it’s 'Oh man, it’s like awesome, right?’ And it is going to look awesome. It’s just going to take a long time," said artist Nathan Beard.

It’s less than a week before opening.

Beard is hanging his work at The Werk Gallery in St. Pete.

A wall of international influence: the large patterned abstract painting by artist Nathan Beard hanging at The Werk Gallery is entitled “Khamaseen.” It’s his interpretation of a massive sandstorm experience. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Virginia Johnson)

Beard calls this his natural habitat for the last two decades — installing art for himself and most recently, for others.

He just wrapped five years as Assistant Curator of the Dunedin Fine Art Center, collaborating with fellow creators.

It is his first solo show in St. Pete in a decade — a chance to look at his multi-layered patterned abstract work.

Show in flux: artwork by Nathan Beard during show instillation at The Werk Gallery in St. Pete. The show will be at the gallery through May 11. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Virginia Johnson)

And he has been filled with gratitude along the way.

To help as a curator.

And to be helped as an artist.

“It’s very difficult. This career path is very difficult,” said Beard. “There’s so many great artists in our own community, let alone nationwide. So to be given the opportunity to exhibit your work or share your work it’s a great honor.”

The new exhibition “Nathan Beard: Ten Measure Tune” will hang at The Werk gallery through May 11.

A look at the multi-layered patterned abstract work of Nathan Beard in “Something in Common." (Spectrum Bay News 9/Virginia Johnson)