Meet Lindsey Nelson

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

Lindsey , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from many sources. I’ve always had a solid support system that helps me keep my head above water, when it feels hard to swim through life. My husband, family and friends help me stay afloat, so that I can rebuild that resilience inside and swim again when I’m ready. They have been crucial in my continuing.
I also find strength in my desire to do good. If there is a way I can be helpful to another being or the world as a whole, I’ll do it. The word is tough, but we can be tougher together. Whether that be through art, music or sharing a conversation. The only thing to do is move forward and try to grow. I’d rather be a flowing river in my compassion, than a stagnant swamp.
I’m also, just incredibly stubborn. Always have been, always will be.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an artist from Southern Illinois with my focus primarily in painting. My personal art style is surrealism but I dabble in other styles, mediums and art forms quite often. I am currently not a full time artist, as I hold multiple part time jobs and am currently in school for Environmental Research and Geology. Art, however has not and will never fade from my life. I will always make time and space for me to create.

There are common themes throughout my personal artwork that I feel are noteworthy. Often times you can see a struggle for balance or some sort of conflict between organisms. These organisms vary in form, but each one possesses some wish or need. Sometimes it’s a physical desire and sometimes it’s buried deep inside. There are scenes of power struggles, between wealthy and poor, old and young, bold and shy, that convey a longing for understanding and compassion. Mostly, they are just in the world they inhabit, trying to survive or thrive.

Another motif I visit often is that of small rooms, with creatures too large for the space. I like seeing how the creature can operate in this room and the emotions it feels while being so confined. The first one I painted was during the pandemic, during lock down. I wanted to explore the idea that we become the environment that confines us, and the desire to be free and how that might be expressed physically and mentally. This painting is titled “Lockdown in Chicken Town” and is my favorite work to date.

Other works are less intense in theme, leaning towards a whimsy and innocence that the others don’t quite have hold of. These are filled with bright colors and organic forms, usually drippy and wild eyed, ready for fun. I love the freedom of combining creatures and bending them into interesting shapes and situations.

In the past 11 years, I have had the pleasure of traveling with my art doing shows, live paintings, interactive installations, festivals and even a brief stint in Canada. I have also had the joy of expanding my craft to a larger scale and audience by working on many murals. With 15 murals under my belt now, it has become a new passion of mine that consistently stretches my abilities, dealing with more commercial work and the specific needs of the customer. It’s a never ending adventure.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One of the things I learned early on, was that even if I can’t do it the “right” way, do it anyway. I was never great at still lifes or “normal” scenes of landscapes or people. I found them difficult and boring as a teenager. But I still did them, just in my way. I made them interesting to me and trusted my gut on how I felt they could be represented. I think in this way I was able to develop the surreal style I have today.

The second skill I’ve acquired came to me only in the last few years. It’s funny now, because it applies to the first thing mentioned above. I went back to college and was willing to sit down and do the hard things I didn’t care to do before. I did the still lifes and the grayscales. I did the watercolor paintings of trees that looked like normal trees. I learned that it’s important to be patient. To take a few steps back and learn some of the basic building blocks of shapes, color and light. Applying this to my current style will only enhance my abilities and push my work deeper.

The third and probably most impactful thing I’ve learned, is to be patient with myself in my art journey (and life journey). Art is not 2 + 2 = 4. Art is not to be pushed out for the sake of quantity, but for quality and personal growth. Sometimes, I can’t paint for long periods of time. That’s okay, I’ll sew instead. Sometimes sewing gets boring, so I draw. But sometimes, I do nothing at all. I’ve learned that the down time in between creating is not only important but also necessary. We need time to fill ourselves back up with passion, ideas and experiences…or just to rest. The comeback after this downtime is usually pretty magical. Art is always going to be there when we are ready and that’s the most beautiful thing.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the biggest challenges that I am facing and have been facing, is dealing with myself. Struggles with self worth, depression and drinking have been difficult for a few years now. Self sabotage and sadness like to linger in the bottom of the bottle. I’m concerned with the state of the world, what I can do to help and my place in it all, which becomes overwhelming at times. I have been working on this through therapy and being more honest with those around me on how I’m actually doing. Slowing down inside and reminding myself that I’m only human, is a good start. I’m learning to love myself more, day by day, brush stroke by brush stroke.

Contact Info:

• Website: lindseyartnow@gmail.com
• Instagram: nelsonartnow
• Facebook: Lindseynelsonart