We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nika Leverett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nika, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I took a pretty big risk following this dream of being a full time artist. While pursuing this, I was working as an instructor with United Health Group for about 6 years. I was creating my art any chance I got. lol. As a facilitator, there were times when my trainees would self study, during those times, I would be painting. Needless to say, I was phasing out to be a full time artist but we become so dependent on a paycheck that stepping out can seem so scary or so far away.
During the pandemic, my job began to downsize. I was assured by my supervisor that our team was safe but slowly things began to happen. I was being taken off certain projects and shifted to have less responsibilities but I was happy because I could paint more.
A few weeks go by and I was let go from downsizing but it was to shift me to a different department doing the same thing for more money. I had to make decision to continue working with UHG or bet on myself and my ability to provide.
I hope you think I followed my dreams. I have been chasing them ever since and cannot be happier with the last 3 years.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a full time multidisciplinary artist but used to be a makeup artist that dabbled in special fx makeup. I would create full scenes on my body and decided to do it on canvases. I loved it so much and it came so natural to me. I shared my work with my following and several videos went viral resulting in an influx of orders.
I am most proud of my ability to master multiple mediums naturally. Starting out I tackled fluid art, then resin, then alcohol inks and now I’m even sculpting. Sculpting is a medium that I thought if at all, would come much later with more practice. It came to me so easily, like this is what I am supposed to be doing.
What sets me apart from some artist is that I record the process. I record my process for my record but also because I want my clients to feel like they’re a part of it. I send photos and videos, asking for their input even though, most of my clients give me creative control. I always want it to be a collaborative effort.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The freedom of creation. I always say I get paid in more ways than money. Yes, as an artist when I make a sale, it’s always exciting but I get a bigger high when I am creating. I get a boost when I’ve completed the piece and it looks exactly like what it looked like in my mind. When I worked as an instructor, I was never really fulfilled in that position unless I was creating.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I know it sounds cliché but I was just being myself. I found myself at a stand still. I was at maybe 300k and my videos weren’t getting views. It was rough. I happened to be reading Tabitha Browns book and she spoke about being in a similar space, but while in that space she was not being Tab. If ‘m not mistaken, she had relaxed hair, and was not being the Tab that we know and love. Once she started being herself, her world changed. She got more opportunities.
So since I knew that I wanted to be like Tab when I grow up, I started to be more of myself in my videos. I started doing voiceovers and letting my followers see more of who I am. Withing two weeks I have over 10 millions views and 300,000 more followers.
My advice would be to be authentic. I think with so many curated spaces online, more people want relatability and authenticity. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikaleverett.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nikaleverett
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nikaleverett