We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melvin D Nix a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Melvin D, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I worked as a computer technician while in the Air Force. After my honorable discharge in 1997, I saw the movie Toy Story and it inspired me to try my hand at 3d animation. It moved me enough to start teaching myself 3d Studio Max and the Adobe Creative Suite resulting in the development of my first digital portfolio. With these skills in hand, I transitioned from being a computer technician to a broadcast graphic designer.

Flash forward to today, I still produce 3d Animation and Motion Design; however, I have claimed myself as a traditional artist focusing on watercolor, oil, and acrylic painting.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About 2013 my wife encouraged me to buy a paint set knowing I always had an interest in being an artist and that’s when I started painting. During COVID-19 in 2020, I started producing more art and eventually ended up presenting my artwork for consideration in local art shows.

As an artist and spiritual teacher, I pull inspiration from nature, science, and current events to produce art that is designed to provoke thought and personal healing. Take my oil paintings “Know Thyself” and “Crowns” for instance. The first one reveals how “you” are the master of your destiny and the importance of self-knowledge. Whereas “Crowns” reveals how we all have an outward appearance that can be beautiful but, on the inside, can be very different.

Each of my paintings, whether watercolor, acrylic, or oil, is approached from the premise of delivering a beautiful message wrapped in mystique.

What I feel sets me apart from others is my ability to understand the human condition and the various challenges we all face. This drives me to provide solutions in the form of metaphoric symbols and concepts woven into my art.

I’m most proud of my “Spirited: An Introspective Art Exhibit” featured at Nordstrom Art Lounge located inside SouthPark Mall. This was my second introduction to the community of myself as an artist. This exhibit allowed me to explain the various spiritual concepts woven into the artwork to people who watched the installation process and came to the opening reception. It was thrilling to see people’s faces light up when they understood the concepts which initiated further dialogue with me and others in attendance.

My first solo exhibit as a featured artist focused on my spirit animal watercolor works and it was held at The Pauline Tea-Bar & Apothecary. I’ve had the pleasure of having my artwork in other places outside of Charlotte, including Columbia, SC, Clover, SC, Greensboro, NC, and Durham, NC.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was to not limit myself. I originally thought if I had no formal training as an artist that I would not be successful.

While in Mississippi as a high school student, I wanted to pursue an art education. I was looking forward to taking art classes from a particular teacher. The year before I could attend, my family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. When I started school at East Mecklenburg in Charlotte, I did not find art classes that piqued my interest, so I gave up my dream of becoming an artist.

In essence, I’ve since learned your only limitations are work ethic, self-motivation, and challenging yourself. Today, I can proclaim myself as a self-taught multidisciplinary artist.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was teaching myself how to paint with watercolor, my first subject was a Hummingbird. I had no idea that the paper would buckle and crumble as much as it did. The paint even began to blend in a way that was not appealing. I wanted to throw it in the trash, but before I did, I chose to step away and focus on something else. Upon returning to the piece, it was dry and it evolved into the most beautiful piece of art I could have imagined.

This taught me to never quit, to make adjustments, and to be willing to start over.

The Hummingbird I wanted to throw away was framed and sold shortly after I placed it on the wall at one of my exhibits.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artbymelvindnix.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/melvindnix
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melvindnix

Image Credits
Photos by Bridget B Sullivan