We recently connected with Alexander Nichols and have shared our conversation below.
Alexander, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I am always thinking about new weaving themes and get inspired by colors, nature, holidays, cultures, animals, the ocean, movies, charms, beads, and things that mean something to me.
I love pop culture and did a series of weavings featuring toy characters and their colors. Some of pop culture themes are Pokemon, Marvel, DC, Sponge Bob, Trolls, Disney, Minions, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Toy Story. For Pokemon, I used Pokeballs, character keychains, a Pokemon watch, and their colors. For Nightmare before Christmas, I used buttons of the characters, figures, pumpkins, skulls, and colors from the movie.
I read comics and science fiction books and just finished a weaving called Nebula. I used dark purples, blues, teals, and blacks with pops of color and white, yarn with metallic fibers, an antique necklace, and strands of sparkly jewelry.
Some of the nature themes I have done are Desert Winds, Ocean, Succulents, Nautilus, Deep Sea, Under the sea. Beach, Tropical, Butterflies, Turtles, Puppies, Cats, Spring, and Garden.
To keep my creativity alive, I am working in other mediums such as painting, collage, and photography. I also try new hand weaving techniques. I take improvisation acting classes at New Village Arts and participate in Music Jam Sessions.
I am an artist-in-residence at Revision Project and work in the studio with other artists.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I focus on free style weavings with themes like pop culture and nature. I start with an idea, then select colors, and items that relate to the the theme. For example, I did a weaving called Under the Sea that used ocean colors, charms and beads of starfish, shells, dolphins, fish, and knots of yarn to feel like tops of waves, kelp, and coral. I work on a Saori loom and mix in free style hand weaving techniques and items. I like to leave the strings hanging, jewelry dangling, and add small pieces of yarn. I love texture and color. I use unconventional materials like action figures, shells, ribbons, key chains, jewelry, fishing bobbins, toys, charms, strips of clothing, watches, beads, clothing, hair accessories, cording, tassels, twigs, and feathers.
I also create “Memory Weavings” to honor people. I started doing these when my grandfather passed away. I used his tie collection, favorite shirts, colors, and belts, and wove them into a weaving to remember him. I did two memory weavings for a pair of sisters whose father had passed. He loved Yosemite and his dogs. I cut up his two flannel hiking shirts, used his Yosemite patches, Doberman Pincer ornaments, and added pine cones and sticks. The yarn colors matched the shirts. I did a tropical themed one for a lady from Hawaii, and one for a wedding gift for a teacher and an artist. I used school and art supplies, school bus buttons, two rings, hearts, and pins.
I work on hand weaving, paintings, and collages at Revision Project. I just did a fun interpretation of several Van Gogh pieces like Sunflowers, Irises, and Starry Night. I was inspired by the Van Gogh experience at the Fairgrounds last year. I love the color and motion in his work. I’m currently working on a Valentine’s Day themed collage.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The four areas that were most important in my journey are: 1. Finding the medium(s) where I could truly express myself
2. Feeling free to experiment and try new things without any pressure
3. Becoming part of a community of creative people
4. Participating in art shows and sharing and talking about my work with others
My suggestions for aspiring artists are:
1. Be true to yourself and what make you happy creatively. It doesn’t matter what others think, just follow your heart and do what you love.
2. It’s great to exhibit and get feedback. It makes me feel good to hear what they think and what they find interesting. If we are lucky, others will feel the same joy when they view our work that we have when we make it. It makes me happy to know that my pieces have found a home where they are loved and appreciated. I often have people tell me how much they enjoy my work and are surprised and delighted when they look close and see something new or hidden.
3. Creating art can be lonely. It is inspiring be in a creative environment with other artists. Take classes or be part of a studio or just create with a friend.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents have always supported and believed in my creativity. They encouraged me to participate in classes and exhibit my work. This has really helped me feel confident talking with people about my art. I feel that I have an identity as an artist and that I am part of a creative community. That has given me a sense of belonging with fellow artists.
My parents connected me with a great organization called The Art of Autism several years ago. Debra Muzikar and AOA have given me many opportunities to exhibit at shows such as Mainly Mozart events, San Diego Arts Festival, Oceanside Museum of Art, Escondido Gallery, Brooks Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Sophie’s Gallery, Celebrate EDU, Lights, Camera, Autism, the SDSU Autism Center, and the Poway Performing Arts Theatre. They even featured a blog article on me.
My parents also helped me apply for exhibits for Encinitas City Hall, Encinitas Senior Center, Rancho Penasquitos Library, Carlsbad Library, Revision, Solana Beach Library, Art in Archeology, Miracosta College, and Liberty Station. I do a fun holiday show called the Radical Inclusion Gift Fair at the Church at RB created by Andrea Moriarty and Margie Flores.
My parents help me to attend a creative art program at Revision Project run by Joy Boe, where I am an artist-in-residence and work on hand weaving, painting, and collage with Chad and other artists. My Dad drives me there twice a week. Through Revision, I have exhibited at Revision, Expressive Arts on 30th, and Candy Pusher. The candy exhibit was very fun, I did a painting of a Kit Kat bar.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lnichols9.wixsite.com/website
- Other: Revision https://www.revisionsandiego.com/juliapeavy https://www.revisionsandiego.com/resident-artists-1
