Today we’d like to introduce you to Jalen McNish.
Hi Jalen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always was the kid who was drawing in class while the teacher was giving the lesson. Ive always made art and always made drawings. I realized once I was older how much of my life art had really been apart of. I college I played sports but at the same time I was painting my teammates and fellow athletes sports Equipment. Everything from sneakers and cleats to football gloves and hats. Around that time I realized that my creativity and ideas manifested in more ways than I thought.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Being an artist nothing is smooth, but I also think that’s apart of the artistry. Being able to create what you want to make even during times when it isn’t smooth I think shows and challenges someone’s artistry. Overcoming adversity is. normal part of life but for an artist I think that adversity can be inspiring, motivating, upsetting but yet I think can be something that is needed for artist to be artist. As an artist you face things like where and ow am I gonna get the materials I need to work? You may ask where can I show my work? As an artist there dozens of questions and problems that need to be solved, but it is also the ultimate excuse to make art. If the road was smooth my art may not be as effective. When the road is not smooth sometimes you may have to take detours but those same detours can allow for completely new explorations and findings within the avenue.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My name I Jalen McNish. I go by Nish and Im an artist based out of Brooklyn Ny. I am mainly a figurative painter, but I make just about anything that feeds my creativity. My work is influenced by early childhood memories, cartoons, video games, sports and popular culture. These influences are ways in which I communicate my ideas on community, identity, and psychology. I am most proud of the opportunities when I can do what I love which is make art. As an artist any opportunity I get to create something or make something I take full advantage of. What sets me apart from other artist simply is the way I see and interpret the world. I view the world from a perspective that unique to my influence and the way I move about and interact with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.the1nish.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nishstudioo?igsh=bDdlZnZtMjJsMGtj&utm_source=qr