Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Durham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
I’ve come to accept some creative blocks as just part of the process. Lately, my art community has been my salvation when I find myself in a deep creative block. I’ve become a contributor for a local Houston art collective called Tenacious Artists and tapping into their energy, vibe, and experiences has been so inspirational. The collaborative group is just artists supporting artists; no dues, no fees, no gimmicks to capitalize on the creative journey. We formed organically because of our passion for art and our drive to get our art out in front of others. Having a group that can relate to creative blocks and empathizes with a creator’s struggle is so supportive, healthy, and empowering.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I”ve been recently rekindling my artist journey. While I love my full-time career in marketing and my job, I’ve always found myself in search of more. More opportunities to create and explore various visions. Creating textured artworks with caulk began as just that, an experimental journey to explore my neglected cultural and domesticated identities.
The nontraditional medium is an industrial, and far more obstinant, material than traditional acrylic products, reconnecting me with ambitious emotions of endurance and sacrifice. I thrive in the struggle, the determination, and the persistence that pressing and sculpting with caulk provides. The porous material draws out the ambiguity of privileged creating, awarding the viewer with dramatic relief and multi-level linear experiences.
Caulk has challenged me to incorporate and try other mediums including collaging and assemblage practices. Collaging and assemblage allow me to collect objects that represent and honor my multiple cultures. These objects become memories, history, a sense of nostalgia, and a form of documentation. To take care of these objects is to reminisce and to blend them is to preserve their memory.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most important quality I believe I possess is kindness. I find myself to be very optimistic, trusting, and empathetic with just about everyone I meet. The saying “you never know someone’s circumstances” is a truth I reside in simply because we can all relate. We’ve all had that moment or time when we were down, angry, or hurt and it doesn’t always bring the best out in us. Relating to those instances allows me to give myself some grace and also allows me to have compassion. I miss compassion in our world. People have become so fast, reactive, and quick with everything that we unintentionally take less time to reflect before we react. I wish I could bring more reflection and normalize the awkward pause…just a little bit. LOL.
After kindness, I’d definitely say communication. As I embark more and more into the art community, I see how challenging communicating can be for creative minds in several instances. It makes me have an immense sense of appreciation for my ability to communicate and verbally share.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As I’ve grown as an artist, I’m looking for ways to continue to challenge myself and my own personal growth journey. What I’ve found I lack is collaboration. I intentionally put this on my goal list for 2023 and I’ve managed to start some collaborations through my artist support group, Tenacious. Being around so many artists that are SO different from me in how we create is wonderful and has provided opportunities for me to reflect and expand. I’m still looking for other artists in both art and music where I can blur the artistic boundaries and create!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecaulkartist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaulkartist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaulkartist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledurham/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=thecaulkartist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy6I-r_NxOE7lC636g3M3uw
- Other: https://www.ArtPal.com/thecaulkartist?r=211974
