We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Alger recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

My 20 year old son gave me the boost I needed to upgrade my social media footprint. Like most artists I know, I was overwhelmed at the thought of learning all that was required to market myself and to do so a portion of my working days. His guidance helped me not only to learn software to make reels but to post much more regularly and on many more platforms. A few years ago, I would not have believed that it is now second nature and even somewhat creatively fulfilling to plan my posts for it can help clarify ideas for work. The results have been fruitful. It has led to opportunities for shows and commissions. Before I got more serious about making reels and devoting the time to learn how to create them quickly, I would drag my feet about it. Results were thin. It is no great secret that once you learn how to do something, it becomes second nature and no longer a burden, but often a pleasure and fulfilling. I would advise anyone in the arts who wants to see their work to take four to six months and chip away, nose to the grindstone, in order to learn how to make compelling posts for once you do, it is as easy to post on one platform as it is on seven. Truly, it is like any task and once learned, it is easy.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I trained in classical realism at the Florence Academy of Art. I can work from life, though portrait clients require that I paint or draw them from photos. I am of the cohort who was trained in the traditional manner. I believe that ability is increasingly more valuable as we enter the AI world. I went to art school because I was bound and determined to learn how to draw and paint like my heros and I finally found a school that taught that. It also happened to be in Florence, Italy. The essence of my training is that my eye was trained to see and then translate what I see accurately on paper or canvas. I spent some years focusing on portraiture but have branched out to the other genres of still lifes, landscapses, and figurative narration. I also stand out somewhat because I paint both with very high chroma paint as well as with subdued, naturalistic palettes. In addition, I am a draftsman, and enjoy drawing portraits regularly both for clients and shows. In the realist world, drawing is painting since the core of both is understanding structural and value relationships. If your drawing ability is keen, you can keep your painting skills in good shape.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There is no question that selling work that is appreciated by the client for it’s craft and content is deeply satisfying. But as people have said since time immemorial about any creative endeavor, you have to love the process more than your frustration because the rejection and times of not selling are frequent.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

At the beginning of my creative life, and after I left art school, I wish that I had had the wherewithal to find a mentor and to stay engaged with other artists. Learning to be alone and do the work is no small thing; having community to view your work and to support and critique each other not only keeps the gremlins of loneliness at bay, but it forces you not to be precious with your work. If you feel pretty good about your skill level, it is vital to show others what you are doing along the way. It is too easy to hide out in your studio. There is a balance, no question, but it’s important for young artists to feel part of a greater group for support and company.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nicolealgerpainting.com/
• Instagram: nicolealgerpainting
• Facebook: Nicole Alger ( x2; one business, one personal)
• Linkedin: Nicole Alger
• Youtube: Nicole Alger Painting
• Other: TikTok: nicolealgerpainting

  Bluesky: nicolealger.bsky.social

  Threads: Nicole Alger

Image Credits

all photos taken by Nicole Alger