Illustrator, painter
Can you share a brief overview of your creative journey, from when you first started pursuing your creative career to where you are now?
I left school and went to Worcester Art College and specialised in Fine Art. After college I had a year out and spent the whole year painting murals with my friend Miranda, it was such a great year!! I then went to University in Leeds and did a BA Hons in Fine Art, I loved every minute, it was fun, creative, crazy and joyous. After uni I have various jobs, my first was a magician’s assistant at Blackpool Pleasure Beach!! then I did prop making for the Newcastle Playhouse, worked for S4C in Cardiff, Aardman Animation in Bristol and hundreds of crap temping jobs in between!!! I never stopped creating, making and painting, selling at craft fairs, online and in shops all over the UK. I had my first child 19 years ago and was working for a building company at the time painting and decorating which I loved as the team I worked with was so much fun. After I had my second child I carried on painting and decorating but self-employed, working on murals, working in schools on art projects and continued selling my artwork and products online. I have illustrated 8 children’s books and still absolutely have to create every day just to keep me sane (or insane) which is where I am today.
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to pursue it as a career?
At school, I wanted to be Bjork. I thought that if I go to art college I would form a band and become a UK Bjork. I went to art college (I did love art too) and actually liked it and sort of forgot about being Bjork! Although I still love her!!
How do you balance your creative pursuits with the practical aspects of being an artist, such as marketing, networking, and financial management?
I ultimately just want to create. I hate the finances, as long as I have enough to eat, keep warm and if I’m lucky to go on holiday, I don’t really think about it much. I have spent over the years hours, firstly on Facebook, then Instagram to get some kind of presence. It is pretty relentless but it has paid off with my Etsy site. I stalk celebrities and send them work, hoping that they share them…that brings people to my sites
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a creative person?
Feeling that I have something to do all the time. I am never bored and can’t remember the last time I was. I have so many ideas but not enough time. Painting for me is calming and I feel happy and fulfilled and I just love it.
What keeps you motivated and passionate about your craft?
I suppose I just love it so I do it. I have quite a few friends who I talk to a lot about ideas and my mind is so full that I feel that if I don’t create..time will run out and then no one will see them. If I have an idea… I’m very motivated and follow it through to the end… then start something new…
What advice would you give to young artists who are just starting out and considering a creative career?
Do as much as you can!! At uni, I went around loads of shops and offered to do their window displays for free. I did Waterstones, Ted Baker, and loads of others and when it was my critique time, I would walk everyone into town and it just seemed different than being in the studio. I took every opportunity, whether I thought I could do it or not… google is great these days. I organised exhibitions and would invite local celebs, made fanzines, and contacted people who I thought would help. don’t be shy!!
How did you discover and develop your own artistic identity?
I’ve always loved humour in art and I think a lot of my work has a quirky humour to it. I’m not sure I discovered an identity. I just painted what I love and used colours I love. Apart from wanting to be Bjork… I’ve always just been me and If people like it… then that’s great.
Can you talk about the role of failure and perseverance in the life of an artist?
From when I was about 13, writing to bands, actors from Grange Hill and Bjork. I have always been so motivated. I would write to Jim Henson asking for a job, MTV, BBC, more often getting rejection letters. I would send hundreds…I think when I was trying to get an agent for my illustration was the hardest. It is so competitive and half the time you don’t hear back and I really wanted to illustrate and have money and look after my girls and not go out to work and put them in the nursery etc… it was a bit depressing… Then I went to Bologna Book Fair with Miranda a few years back and we had a portfolio review with Pan Macmillan/Two Hoots Publishing after showing them my portfolio and telling them about my books published and my current peg doll business, the publisher said ‘why are you here Nikki?, we can’t teach you anything, you’re doing it’.. that felt good and I thought, yes I’m doing it on my own!!
How do you navigate the art industry and find opportunities to showcase your work or collaborate with others?
My current Etsy shop is peg doll popstar Christmas Decorations. For every peg doll I design, I send a message to the artist, comedian, or celebrity and ask if they are ok with the design and if they want some. The good thing these days with social media is the number of people that sees one post and how quick it is. so sometimes they will share my pegs, or I get feedback etc which I share. it just brings more people onto my page and shop. it is time-consuming but worth it. Social media has definitely been brilliant for my artwork and getting it out there.
How do you stay connected with other artists and the larger creative community?
I don’t really and that is one thing I would like to do more of. It is quite lonely being an artist at home on your own. I’m quite lucky as I have quite a few friends who are artists. I sometimes see them and it always makes me more motivated and more inspired. My sister and Miranda live near and I see them a lot we talk about our art and give each other advice and ideas, which is brilliant. I live in quite a sleepy town with limited art exhibitions/events and would sometimes like to be living in a creative hub, working in a big studio with other artists.
Can you share any tips for artists to market and promote their work effectively in today’s digital age?
keep updating your social media… as sad as it sounds… posts are flicked through so quickly, I do it! tag the shit out of each photo… I’m afraid you’ve got to be in it to win it.
What strategies do you use to continually improve your craft?
I do quite a few workshops on a site called domestika.org, they are about a tenner and are brilliant. even if I just pick up one technique, it’s worth it.
Have you ever experienced creative blocks or periods of low inspiration? If so, how did you overcome them?
Yes… I will then do something else, learn to crochet, knit, make jewellery, something where I can just learn on YouTube and still create but also not think of a character or painting.
Do you believe it’s necessary to have a degree in art to succeed?
no, but it was fun!!
Is there anything else you would like to share with young artists aspiring to pursue a creative career?
enjoy it, embrace it, and think yourself lucky that you are creative!! it’s a gift.
Florence and Belle can be found on: Istagram
