We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nik Aliye a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nik, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I’ve known since I was a teenager that the act of creating something colorful could lower my blood pressure. We tell kids and teens to beware of a creative job – you won’t make any money, you won’t succeed, don’t do it! Negativity galore! I’m very lucky that my parents never even tried to change my mind (because they knew they couldn’t but also because they’re the best.)

What would our world look like if we all actually did the job that we were passionate about?

What if the universe was mapped out for everyone to follow their calling? Would our society function healthily?

Imagine a dystopia where everyone actually likes their job? Would it be utopia?

I come from a family of well-meaning, hard-working immigrants and public servants. Work isn’t meant to be superfluous. It must be as impactful and/or lucrative as possible.

Sometimes though, you have a remarkably strong-willed child who couldn’t be more different from the rest of the family. She’s a creative! She got a theatre degree! She moved to New York City without a plan!

I was lucky, they were supportive. Partially because they knew they couldn’t stop me but also because they understand the power and importance of following your passions.

After 6 years of non-stop pounding the pavement and late work nights in New York, I found myself at an emotional impasse. I had experienced some career success but entirely at the expense of my own mental health. I had a brief two month period in between corporate jobs in which to tackle my burnout. I went to Blick. I started painting and I never looked back.

My parents are still worried but they’re also very proud and cheering me on and that’s what really matters. Maybe the utopia I’m thinking of is yet to come.

Nik, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started painting as an outlet for my own stress. I work deep within Internet culture and am *too* online. I needed to do something that didn’t involve touching a screen. I never thought I was capable of creating art with my hands, but I love to be wrong! I am a self taught graphic designer since I was a teenager and am happy to say that I have managed to progress off of the screen!

I make dopamine art. Art that is meant to blast the pleasure centers of your brain so you forget whatever it is you were thinking about before. ADHD and hyper online brains crave dopamine. Creating these paintings soothes my own spirit and that is my wish for the audience as well.

The world is so full of suffering and pain and we can always find something to stress about. But isn’t it nice to have a bright, beautiful, complex, joyful distraction?

My collectors especially love to put the works near their desks so they can work out complex concepts while letting their eyes stay busy.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, art is medicine. The act of creating it and also of course, consuming it. Life is really hard. This world is CHALLENGING. We are in an especially trying time because of our hyper connection. We are consuming more information, suffering and pain on a daily basis from our tiny screens than our ancestors had to feel in a lifetime.

Creating these joyful paintings is one of the most integral parts of my own health routine. My goal is for the viewer to feel joy, to feel a brief reprieve from the constant drum beat of stress that we all live with. It is subtle when they’re a part of our daily life. You catch yourself daydreaming or listening to a conference call and traveling through the work. Somehow – life feels easier. Somehow – you feel less pain.

If I can help anyone even a small bit of how much these paintings help me – I’ve found my reason for being on this planet.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love a good biographical documentary. Human beings are incredible!!! Everyone’s journey is completely unique and unpredictable. I garner great inspiration from lives past and current and always find comfort in a good documentary. No one is exempt from suffering – how you move forward is what makes you remarkable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heyhey.cool
• Instagram: @nik.aliye.art
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/nikaliye
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@nik.aliye.art

Image Credits

Yasara Gunawardena