We recently connected with Nancy Jane Myslik and have shared our conversation below.
Nancy Jane, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
The Industry standard has never been a concern or guideline for myself or my business. I am not wired to follow a path or a plan when it comes to my creativity and artistic endeavors. Part of that comes from being self-taught and the other part stems from being a free-spirit. Most established artists pick a lane and produce a cohesive body of work which leads them to a path of success. I admire those that have been able to own that roll. I however find it hard to focus on one style or one medium. I find joy in the exploration and variety. I would describe my vibe as mostly abstract when I paint, but I also love to explore florals, and landscapes and more recently maps and aerial views. I just love exploring different mediums in my work as well, such as acrylics, inks, water colour, oil sticks, charcoal and Posca Markers. It brings out my inner child when I get to play with all the things.
I am also just completing my first illustrated kids book that includes the use of digital art, mixed media, collage and “old school” hand-drawn, pencil on paper.
I have been described as a bit of a tornado with my focus and my thoughts, which is reflected in the art that I explore and share.
I have tried to go down the track of industry standard, but my heart and my mind keep pulling me in all directions.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I grew up as the youngest in a large family. My parents were both teachers, and my dad was an athlete. We all played sports competitively, right through school and a bit in University. Our lives revolved around sports. When we did have down time I loved to draw. My mom used to rave about the detail in my drawings when I was quite young, and I think that really nurtured my love of art. She always encouraged me to just do what I love. As I got older and life got busy I strayed away from art, I took a few classes in high school, but didn’t love the format. I was a bit shy and self-conscious around my peers, which overrode the enjoyment of creating. When I was about 25 yrs old, I started to get the itch to try painting. I was living back at my parents, feeling a bit lost and was looking for something fulfilling to pass the time. One day I ran into my grade 5 art teacher and I mentioned to her about my desire to paint, and she suggested I go buy a starter pack of acrylic paint and a pad of canvas paper. That weekend I did just that. I set up a TV table in my bedroom, and started to explore. A few months later I was brave enough to try a canvas and the rest is history.
I painted in my spare time, and made some sales here and there and accomplished a goal to paint.
I continued on that path for several years until we had our daughter. When she was about 2 or 3 I wanted to share my love of art with her. It was then that I started messing around with drawing again, and coloring and using collage and play dough, and clay. It was also around then that I decided to open my studio doors to other kids, to teach them different ways to explore art and creativity. That business quickly took off and led to teaching adults, and then led me into the schools and working corporate events. So I had become an artist and an art facilitator all in the span of about 15 years.
Once Covid hit and things were shut down I had to pivot. I wanted kids that were home to still have the desire to create, so I put together Art Boxes that included a painting lesson, a colouring page that I had drawn, a drawing lesson, some crafts, stickers and all the supplies needed. I sold a bunch of them with great feedback. It was so nice to be able to inspire the kids that were stuck in a time where they needed joy.
Since Covid, I have slowed down on the art lessons, and been focusing on family. My artwork continues to evolve and change as I experience life and trying to live authentically.
Everything I have done up until now has been based on exploration and learning and trying new things. I think that art should be in everyone’s life on some level or another . Kids need to realize that art isn’t just about the end result, its about the process of creating.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Its not so much a specific story but I have realized that I face resilience almost every time I create a painting for a customer who has ordered a commission. When I get a commission the customer usually has been drawn to a certain piece that I have shared on social media, but they may want it in a different size or specific colors. It warms my heart that a clients want their own custom work, but sometimes those pieces end up being the hardest ones to create. I usually like to get to a point where I am painting without thinking, and just going with the flow, but with a commission its hard to not worry about if the client will like it. I usually start out well, laying out the colors and vibe of the painting, but once I get about half way through I hit a wall and almost always question myself, and start 2nd guessing everything. Its at this point I typically need to walk away from the work and let it sit for a few days. Almost like we are not on speaking terms.
After a some time, I come back to it, and I see it with a fresh set of eyes and a different mindset. Sometimes I cover up some of the “fugly” bits or change up the colors, and I seem to fall back into a positive head space and keep on working. This happens almost every time I create a commission, and it always ends up working in the end. I just need to push through and trust the process.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am also a real estate agent in my hometown, and after a slow couple of years I needed to figure out another way to earn income. That was when I opened the doors to my art studio to teach a few kids art lessons. That turned into a steady stream of business and income for a few years until covid hit.
Once Covid hit I had to pivot again, like most businesses. Instead of being able to teach art in person, I created the “Art in A Box” packages that I sold to my local followers.
I hope to get back to teaching and inspiring others to create. For now I am happy to focus on my own artwork.
Contact Info: