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

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I first knew I wanted to be a full time artist when I was in 5th grade. My teacher told my mother I should take art lessons outside of school because my drawings showed promise. I then began taking classes at a small art studio and after that I was hooked.

Nicole, 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?

I have always been drawn to art. I began taking art classes in 5th grade and then continued on to study Illustration at Columbus College of Art and Design. After graduation I moved to Los Angeles for 15 years where I began volunteering for Downtown Dog Rescue and working at galleries and curating shows. It was then that I decided to combine my passion for painting with my passion for animals and have been painting dogs for galleries and commissions ever since.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal of my pieces are to show each animal as an individual with a unique personality. I often focus on pitbulls, painting them in playful and whimsical settings that portray them in a positive light. This is important to me as all my canine companions have been and will continue to be rescued pitbulls.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Buying art from living artists is so important. Support your local galleries and order from artists websites instead of prints from a chain store.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicolebruckman.com
• Instagram: @nicolebruckman
• Facebook: Nicole Bruckman