We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nina Ripich. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nina below.

Hi Nina, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I really like this question, as it’s something I have been thinking a lot about lately and has come up recently in conversations with loved ones who are also creatives. Plainly said, yes and no… and yes, I often wonder. But the more I have weaved down this path- a path that seemingly chose me- I have discovered that happiness is not what I’m after. I used to think it was, for the longest time actually. But then I realized what I really always wanted was fulfillment, to live deep and suck the marrow out of life. I think the juice of that creative fulfillment comes from the seeking, the pulling your hair out, the obsessing, the excitement when a spark of inspiration comes, the boredom when those sparks are few and far between, the procrastination, the frustration that comes with that, the bliss of a flow state- reward of physical manifestation, seemingly aimless ambling, and most importantly- bad art… So much bad art. Really, the juice is in just doing the work and not wondering if you’re happy or not.

And as far as bad art goes, this has actually been my focus creatively lately. I am a Graphic Designer working on Film & TV key art by day, and a messy painter at heart. I feel this need to merge the two worlds lately, and find ways to let loose when perfection and strategic making is not called for. I want to get back in an “experimental art school” mode, make bad – art as a mode of release and opening myself up. And as others can testify, that’s a challenging process, getting out of your own head. Coming face-to-face with that inner critic. Not fun. but I always feel like I must do that deep, hard look into my own reflection to get to the other side. Oof, this is becoming very preachy and heady- I really just want to inspire others to also move away from the focus on “happy” that we always seem to come back to to measure our lives. There are so many depths beyond happy.

And lastly, With leading a creative life and wondering what it would be like to live any other kind of life… I do wonder. But It feels like there’s this other entity driving the bus of my life sometimes, and if I’m not making work or planning on making work, she gets pretty awful road rage. Day to day living is just not enough for her, she get’s pent up, ravenous. It’s something that needs constant tending to, or else it seeps into pretty much all other aspects of my everyday. It would certainly be easier to have a regular job, but I love the daily creative exercises that my professional practice brings. And having a creative life in general, I wouldn’t trade if for the world. I know that no matter what season I am in during my life, there will always be some sort of home in creating where I can go to and make sense of things in some way. Even if it doesn’t feel that way, and the channel feels blocked, it’s always there.

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?

Yes! I am an explorer of many different mediums, but professionally you could say I am a Graphic Designer and Multi Media Artist. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and am currently based out of Los Angeles. As I had mentioned previously, Currently I am working as a Graphic Designer at Art Machine, a Hollywood-based entertainment marketing agency, creating posters for film & television. I was actually self taught as a graphic designer going into this industry, and so much of what I have learned has been through my colleagues and mentors. I am grateful for them everyday, as it has been the best way to learn and hone in on my craft.

I also work freelance as a designer, photographer, and artist for musicians. I create album art, music videos, promotional material for them, and even recently designed and illustrated a lyric & poetry book! I’m not tied to working exclusively for musicians, but I have found how it is the work I truly love the most. My partner, Matt Moody, is a musician and artist, through creating for him, I have met so many other musicians along the way and have formed working relationships. It’s a true collaboration in my mind- the yin and yang- two creatives coming together from different mediums and backgrounds, to form a whole vision, a world of sound, image, and color. It’s just so fun.

And In my own personal practice, I paint, draw, write, collect books, take film photos and super 8 movies. I studied painting at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) for my undergrad, where I made and painted on massive canvases… but also experimented with filmmaking, rug weaving, poetry, discovered mediation, and made miniature sculptures. I love to move around and try new things, as sometimes what I want to express isn’t solely through paint or photography. In my photography, films, and weaving, I derive a lot of inspiration from the natural world- the patterns and surprises. And in my painting & drawing I derive inspiration from body movement & the complexity of our inner psyche. A big personal project on the horizon is I plan to make a book of my own, that’s been an idea in the slow cooker for a while. But she’ll come to fruition soon, I can feel it. I’ve kept almost constant sketchbooks since I was 4 years old and have had a camera on me since I was 13- so it’s a lot of work to go through… it’s a coming of age time capsule to sort through. More to come on that.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Ah, yes, I love books so these are mostly going to be books…

For artistic practice:

The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. Hands down. She is the kind, she is fierce, she is your artist bootcamp leader. Whether you’re an artist looking to deepen your practice, trying to unblock, or just want to live more creatively- this is the book for you. It is not only for self proclaimed artists, it is for everyone. She even has an anthology of book recommendations at the end of it- a lifetime of resources.

For emotional well-being, I recommend two great books. One being The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. All about making amends with the roommate in your head. We are often our biggest enemy, and on the other side of that is freedom. The second being Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers- one recommended by Julia Cameron. Do the work, move through the fear. It’s not easy, but we must.

For all else, My mom. Not a resource to you, but one to me. She knows me best and is always catching me in my “should” phrases. We always need someone to bounce things off of.

For business, a book on my shelf that I have been meaning to read & can already feel is worth mentioning is “Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business & Life” by Gay Gaddis. She is a painter who started her own successful advertising business which went on to be the largest independent female-owned agency in the U.S. It just feels like my kind of handbook. I want to always be striving to be a better leader, a more focused and organized businesswoman, and to have fun with it.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

If you find something you’re drawn to, really give your attention. Really look. For your sake, for the sake of the artist, and for being participating viewers and thinkers in this world. We are bombarded with so many visuals and so much noise daily, especially if you are active on social media, read the news, or just drive around a bustling city. It’s easy to become numb or gloss over things. Taking time to really notice seems rare these days, and being selective and focused with it is a power. If you see someone doing work you admire, take a minute. Absorb. Go support them in person if they are having a show at a venue or gallery. And if you have the opportunity to reach out, sometimes words of encouragement and and and “I see you” are valuable than anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ninaripich.com
• Instagram: @photoshop.cowgirl
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-ripich