Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicki Washington . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nicki , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far would have to be my solo art shows I curated and hosted in different states. When I began my art journey I had no idea what I was doing. I just knew what painting and creating made me feel like. I was doing some personal and professional development work and I shared with a room full of strangers my desire to create a space where people of all journeys can come under one roof and experience art, experience different people all while soaking up great energy and being reminded of their own greatness through connection. Within a few days, I was planning a solo art show called, “Art by Nimika presents: FREEDOM!” This project was very dear to me because I was forced to step out of my comfort zone in order to execute something I believed in. What made it more special was when I returned to my hometown of The Bronx to really do it big! This was my second “FREEDOM” show and I knew I had to do something memorable. Anyone who knows me knows how special The Bronx is to me. To experience the impact I left on the guest in the room reminded me of my own abilities, my gifts and my purpose in helping others turn on their own light! Observing the room, I seen my neighborhood friends connecting with my high school friends, my elementary school friends connecting with my college friends and unfamiliar faces connecting with unfamiliar faces. In that moment, I knew my purpose was fulfilled! Fast forwarding to today, people still talk about that event and identity how it helped them to start a business, to be more kind, to be more self-aware, to be more giving and to explore their own abilities.
Nicki , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Nicole and I am a Courageous, Trusting and Responsible human from The Bronx! I’ve been painting and creating for almost eight years now and I’ve been living in Metro Atlanta for the past 4 and a 1/2 years. My experience in the art world here has been nothing short of amazing! My brand, Art by NiMiKa, LLC is a company that expresses and encourages freedom.
Prior to relocating to Metro Atlanta, I’d been working in mental health, behavioral health, developmental disabilities and other sectors of the Human Services field. In 2015, when art found me, I was working as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional getting ready to make a transition into a Mental Health Case Manager position. While I was taking on the trauma, difficulties, challenges and differences of the families I worked with, I recognized I was their complete outlet, while I had no outlet of my own. I worked out a lot at the time, but it wasn’t enough. I went out with friends, but it still wasn’t enough. I was certainly feeling blocked and stressed. For whatever reason, I knew something had to be released based on how I was feeling. While having a random conversation with a good college friend of mine he suggested I try something completely different. He suggested art. In that moment I thought of all the things that could go wrong with trying something new…I took the chance anyway. Later that evening I walked to the craft store purchased some canvases, some paintbrushes and some paint. I started off mimicking a simple silhouette I found online. From there I attempted to paint a fruit basket on my dining room table then another painting I seen online. By the fourth painting I decided to turn off the technology and turn on my brain to see what I can create just from my own imagination. I started creating abstract pieces of art that not only I was blown away by, but when my friends and family seen what I was creating, they wanted to see more. I then began creating my signature piece of art which I refer to as a “Fhrototype.” It was created with the intention to inspire and empower women to wear their boldness, power, strength, courage and greatness in a physical feature! I choose to highlight the hair because for me, I relaxed my hair a lot and forgot what my natural hair looked and felt like. When I started creating my Fhrototype’s, I had to embrace it all together. I cut the relaxer out and started rocking my beautiful, naturally curled hair! Although I have dreadlocs now, the journey to making this decision was because of me embracing my decision to love up on my naturally loose fhro!
After almost a year of creating, I decided to create an art page on Instagram and began posting my work. The more I posted, the more people liked what they saw. So much so that a curator reached out to me to participate in an actual art show! I was nervous, scared and excited all at the same time. I knew I had already received the gift in art, now here was the opportunity to share the gift with others. September 2016, I participated in my first ever, art show! From that experience, I knew I had found a new home.
As an artist, it’s my job to evoke emotions in others. I feel like I do that based on the responses and reactions I receive and the conversations I have when people see my work. It’s like it always makes them feel what they didn’t know existed inside of them right in that moment…and that is the ultimate compliment in itself! Taking my abilities from the canvas to unique items such as earrings, playing cards, coasters, apparel, journals, lightswitch covers and clocks, sets me apart from others. Having a variety of creations allows everyone to take a piece of my heart home because the price range is meant to be affordable for all. I believe my art reminds people to just be. Be love, be kind, be themselves, be free! Whenever I see someone smile at my work, I know that if nothing else goes well in their day, they’ll remember what they felt when they experienced my creations. I am proud of me. I am proud of the women I get to become while elevating in my artistry. I am proud of stepping out of my own way to be more connected with my passion and purpose. I am proud I get to artistically create freedom and healing of the soul!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that there is room for all of us. I never look at other artists and get jealous or hate on their creations. I have no clue what it took for most people to get to where they are. The fact that I get to wake up and be me, the artist, the creator is rewarding alone. I can be in a room full of astonishing artists and their work, please believe there will be guest that comes and will fall in love with my work. As a creative or artist, your biggest competition is against who you were yesterday. There is room in the art world for all of us to soar. So never cut yourself short because you think the space is over saturated or someone’s work may be similar to yours. Focus on you and only YOU!
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.
I think non-creatives will struggle understanding the level of freedom artist and creatives have. You seriously have to not care about what others have to say about you and free your mind to the point where you’re not mentally incarcerated. We move according to what feels freeing to our being. I know about moving on other people’s time and being miserable. I know about working a 9-5 and feeling like that’s my only way out. I know about being scared to try new things. I know about being a yes person and only pleasing others to protect their feelings and not mine. All of it is draining! Freedom comes with accepting your gifts, your passions and your purpose without being confined to fear. I think a lot of people in the world are fearful of success and because we’ve been taught a certain way, we think it’s the only way. That just reminded me of the story of “Who moved my Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson. I know that my old cheese is not my only cheese. Therefore, it’s okay to take risks when you believe in yourself but don’t know the way. It’s okay to be curious. It’s okay to step out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to be rebel for a good cause. Especially when it’s for the development of you. We all have something special within us. It’s just a matter of accessing it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artbynimika.com
- Instagram: @artbynimika
- Facebook: Art by Nimika
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvZWGJ2EwFS1Fo6OaVv1MRw