We recently connected with Jill Nahrstedt and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jill thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2018 I knew that I’d lost my love of teaching. My daughters were 4 and 6 and I had no time to myself to create. I started to feel jealous of my students! I figured out that my youngest would begin kindergarten a year later and we would shed all of the childcare fees we’d been incurring. I discussed the idea of leaving teaching to pursue art with my family and after one more school year I left in June of 2019. I had a crazy first year as an artist. The first year included a broken arm, an exciting mural commission, oh and a global pandemic . I have never looked back or regretted taking that risk and things get better every year!

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.

Thanks for shining a light on my hustle! I am a painter, muralist, and micro gallery owner and curator. As a fresh idea fanatic, I dive head first into alternative ways to get people to art and art to people! I grew up in Nebraska with very little exposure to the art world, and for about twelve years I taught elementary art in Chicago public schools. Bringing art to everyone gives me purpose.

My work shows in exhibits all over the country and quite regularly here in Chicago. I am part of the global Thrive Together Network, and a member of a local print shop, Spudnik Press. Navigating the art world as an older newcomer has been a trip!

In 2022 I built a micro gallery as a space for artists to have exhibitions on a really manageable scale. Through interviews, studio visits, and community gatherings, artists that show in Far North Side micro gallery get the experience of a larger show without the costs of applying, shipping, and materials. It is about the size of a little free library and the art is small enough to drop in the mail! This is also a way to bring contemporary art to my tiny northside community. I can watch the residents walk by and take in the exhibit from my studio window.

When I’m not curating shows for FNS, I paint murals that combine nature and graphic elements for homes and businesses. My workday is limited to school hours, which lends itself to working with other mothers who understand the schedule! I also paint abstracts on canvas in reaction to the complicated layers of life. I flex my printmaking muscles by creating Abstracted Neighborhood screen prints as an homage to the city I love so much.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Space is at such a premium in this new brave new economy. I currently work out of my home and occasionally at a community non profit printmaking studio in downtown Chicago. I’m quickly outgrowing my space and getting downtown is harder than ever before, not to mention bad for the environment. There are so many empty storefronts within walking distance of my home. As a society we are letting landowners hold properties hostage for tax write offs. This isn’t even a new problem, it’s been going on for decades. I would love to see that change. My wildest current dream is to take over one (or all four) spaces in the cutest little building down the road from me. It would be an art and yoga community center. We would have artist studios as well as a community studio for classes. Brewing coffee and lush plants would draw the community in to interact with the contemporary artists and their process and just foster more connection.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

This is such a tough questions to answer honestly. Every day I check in with myself to see what my goals are and if I’m being true to them. I am driven by the gasp that follows a new discovery. Whether it is a mark I just made with a paintbrush, or the way a finger skateboard looks as a piece of framed art. I live for that feeling of discovering something joyful! The other side of my personality is nudging me to contribute. As a public school teacher I was making a regular paycheck while also contributing to society, it ticked all of the boxes. I come from a service family, my father was a police officer, my grandfather was a fireman. Even my mother in law is a professor! I have to remind myself that everyone that has come before me has worked so (my husband and I) can have this opportunity.
I was asked during a residency to describe my worth as an artist. My contribution is joy. I also model risk taking. Artists in general have a knack for seeing through to the essence of life, whether it is beauty or otherwise. I feel strongly that my worth lies in sharing that vision. I am still working toward contributing to my family financially but I’ve accepted that it is a long game.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jillnahrstedt.com
• Instagram: @jillnahrstedtart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-nahrstedt-37462b8/
• Other: insta: @farnorthside (micro gallery)