We recently connected with Nicole Moan and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents are both artist. My mother is a mural impressionist painted and my father is a cubist surreal painter and sculpture. From a young age I experienced what it was like day to day as a artist. You have to push yourself and there are many types of ups and downs being a artist owning your own business. They also provided different mediums for me to try out. Working with foam and a hot knife to making your own molds. They are very supportive and we spitball ideas still to this day. Both of my parents are in their late 70’s.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

25 years ago I had a job at a local hardware company. A customer wanted my help with tile and how she could find unique tile. She has been all over the city to find tile not everyone has seen, cream beige or grey. I mentioned that I’m a clay artist and know how to make tile kinda. She said can we please give it a try. I met with her the next day at her landscaping business. She wanted some type of walkway with tile that was easy to move and had a unique shape. Working at the hardware store I knew of a product that we back tile with that is thick and could make things moveable. I went home and pulled out my clay and made my first tiles since college. I forgot about the curling and memory clay had. You have to weigh your tile while drying or drop it hard on a surface that will pull the moisture out. Some folks use Sheetrock I like to use hardybacker.(concrete board). The next day the house of clay ( local ceramics store) was open. So I grab myself white lowfire clay, went home and got to work. I had a week and half to finish a 1500sf walkway for a event at a home and garden show. At that show I got a handful of commissions.. I really learnt allot and that is what gave me the understanding to create custom tile and wearable ceramic corsets. I create indoor and outdoor tile that is unique to what the custom wants. From backslashes to floor, walls and ceiling. I also created logos for entry ways and recreated tile from the past. My ceramic corsets came about because we needed something to wear to a event. I looked at my husband at the time and said I’m going to make ceramic corsets for us to wear to the event. He looked at me like I was crazy. The first corset were hard to wear, one piece with long strips of fabric to lace us in the back. 23 years later the corsets are actually comfortable to wear. 3-5 piece corsets that are Adjustable and each section is laced together with ribbon. I have 4 different forms I’ve created to emulate how we want to shape our bodies and be comfortable at the same time. My wearable ceramic corsets have been featured in runway shows, gallery exhibitions, magazine shoots and red carpet events.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

My parents are both artist. Both are mural artist and went to school for graphic design. They designed interiors of stores. I’ve been around foam hot knifes and rolls of canvas the majority for my life. It definitely enhanced my creative understanding and influence me in many ways. There was a struggle financially and I found it so hard on my parents. As soon as I could get a job I did to help in any way I could. But when it came to college I already knew what the art teachers where teaching. I’ve helped and been part of the arts my whole life. But the one thing is that I feel artists should be educated in business class . So I focused my energy on business, marketing , automotive and engineering. In hopes that I could make this crazy mess of creativity not be broke forever. I obviously. Didn’t stay away from the artwork. When it’s in your soul it keeps calling you. I just knew I didn’t want to do anything like anyone else. So I created the wearable ceramic corsets. I also create custom tile.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Walking into the art world I get the response of you are too fashion and on the fashion side I get you are too art. Well I’m sick of hearing that so when I hear that I move on. The worse that someone can say is no. But what’s amazing about making artwork people can wear folks can walk around event wear them on red carpets and I that get way more attention then something that has to set on the wall it’s whole life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicolemoan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemoan
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/nicolemoan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-moan-46a2299
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ceramiccorsets
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nicolemoan
• Other: https://nicolemoan.storenvy.com/

Image Credits
AthenaCeramiccorsetNicoleMoan.jpg – Athena wearable Ceramic Corset by: Nicole Moan Photo by: Nicole Moan CoyPondTileNicoleMoan.jpg – Coy Pond Tile Mural by: Nicole Moan Photo by: Nicole Moan photo by: Nicole moan EstellaCeramicCorsetNicoleMoan.jpg – Estella wearable Ceramic Corset by: Nicole moan photo by: Nicole moan FashionShowNicoleMoan.jpg – Fashion Show at The Mayo by Nicole Moan Photo by: MajykEye FashionShowNicoleMoanStevie.jpg – Fashion Show at The Mayo by Nicole Moan Photo by: MajykEye NaturalWonderBathroomNicoleMoan.jpg – Hand sculpted tile Natural Wonder Bathroom by: Nicole Moan photo by: Nicole Moan NewBeginningsCeramicCorsetNicoleMoan.jpg – New Beginnings Wearable Ceramic Corset by: Nicole Moan photo by: Nicole Moan NicoleMoanKerrijean.jpg – Photographer: Kerri jean @kerrijean Model: Lexi @lexi.marie.w designer: Nicole Moan @nicolemoan PieridaeCeramicCorsetNicoleMoan.jpg – Pieridae wearable Ceramic Corset Nicole Moan photo by: Nicole Moan WhiteBirdShootCCNicoleMoan.jpg – Photographer: Gary Box @garyboxportraits model: Jennifer Raelynn @Jennifer.raelynn Designer: Nicole Moan @nicolemoan YDdraigCeramicCorsetNicoleMoan.jpg – YDdraig wearable Ceramic Corset by: NicoleMoan photo by: Nicole Moan