Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nina Wood. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I remember exactly when I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts! It happened during my junior year of high school when my art teacher encouraged me to apply to a summer program offered at RISD. Although my parents were hesitant, they encouraged me and agreed to split the cost with me if I decided to go. And so I did. On the campus of Rhode Island School of Design, I took various art classes with other high school students. There I first learned printmaking techniques, and the use of oil paint, and drew from a live model. It was an ideal experience that solidified my decision to pursue a career in fine art.

Art has always been a part of my life. My Father was a college professor but also did some painting in his off time, while my Mother who was a nurse, loved to draw and often worked with ceramics in a potter’s studio. My grandmother on my father’s side was a fabulous baker and my grandmother and great-grandmother on my mother’s side were talented seamstresses who made everything from our clothes to curtains and blankets. These strong matriarchal presences were of great influence on me and ultimately inspired me to pursue my passion for art. When I turned 15, my parents bought me an art/drafting table, which I still use in my studio today!

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 an Artist, Mother, and art educator who works full-time at the middle school level. Although teaching wasn’t my goal or initial desire after graduate school, I fell into various teaching opportunities and finally decided to pursue my certification in art education. This decision turned out to be a good one because it has been my main source of income since my children were very young. Now that they are adults I balance teaching with my art practice in my at-home studio on the weekends.

Currently, in watercolor figurative paintings, I aim to convey feelings of rest, escape, protection, and refuge that come from finding comfort in isolated moments of peace. Some of the imagery I use is associated with memory and the constraints and limitations of the mother/artist’s experience over time.

Over the past few years, I have watched my children assert their independence, which has brought me pride and satisfaction! Becoming more engaged in their own adult lives has allowed me to step back from typical parenting responsibilities and focus on my personal work.

I am an artist whose focus is on motherhood and womanhood, and my practice is primarily driven by these experiences. Last spring, I was very lucky to be invited to join the Mother Creatrix Collective, a collective of artist/mothers who support each other’s practices and share similar experiences.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Shortly after marrying my first husband, it became evident that my art practice was not supported and I wouldn’t be able to continue it. During my third pregnancy, I made a vow to myself that once my child was born I would focus on myself and work toward leaving the marriage. Despite working three part-time jobs, having no certainty, and taking care of three young children, I was determined to have a peaceful life. It took me almost three years after the birth of my son, to get a divorce, but I did it and pivoted to my new life with my children. I felt happy, relieved, and free. It took resilience, and there was much more resilience while mothering three children, but I am grateful for my perseverance.

During the following ten years, I focused on my job as an educator and parenting while my art practice was limited to a sketchbook. I do not regret a moment of parenting for studio time, although, I am mournful of the time I could not devote to my art practice. It takes a lot of resilience to put aside parts of yourself and your passions, knowing you won’t give up.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to create art with joy and am driven by the encouragement and support from my children and my forever partner, Rich. It is fulfilling watching my children grow into their adult lives overcoming obstacles and finding resilience. I make art with thoughts of a peaceful place where children are free from harm. Rich also has two grown daughters who are married with children, and this has strengthened my intentions to make images about protection and peace as if in creating the images I am adding it to the universe.

In some years, I will retire from my teaching job and be working as a full-time artist. At that time, I hope to have consistent opportunities to show my work. It is important to me that work about womanhood and motherhood is seen and valued. I plan to continue to create and share my work and grow with a network of artists with similar goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ninawood.net/
• Instagram: @ninawood_artworks
• Linkedin: Nina Wood
• Other: I belong to a collective of artist/mothers based in New York City. You can find us at www.mothercreatrixcollective.com or on Instagram @mothercreatrixcollective

Image Credits
Michael Vassallo