Meet Nicci Sevier-vuyk

We recently connected with Nicci Sevier-vuyk and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicci, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I’m not sure anyone truly overcomes imposter syndrome, but I’ve developed a certain peace with it. For me, imposter syndrome is rooted in fear, and I strive to adopt the mindset of “feel the fear and do it anyway.” Over time, those feelings of self-doubt and anxiety have started to fade. The more I paint or sculpt, the less those voices are front and center while I’m creating.
I’ve found some ways to cope with those moments of doubt, though. Music is a big one—I’ll often play songs by Bitter:Sweet or The Avener, or have a Marvel movie, like Guardians of the Galaxy, in the background. Something about that background sound helps quiet my inner critic and lets my creativity take over. I’ve probably watched Guardians of the Galaxy more than 50 times at this point!
I will say there are still moments when imposter syndrome can make it hard to start creating. It’s like the longer I avoid beginning, the bigger that sense of reluctance grows. But I’ve learned to recognize that feeling now, and I know the best thing I can do is to push through and start anyway. I’ll take a moment to look at my previous work and remind myself that I do know what I’m doing. I try to trust myself more than I trust that fear and keep moving forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a contemporary American artist known for my striking pop art acrylic paintings and sculptures, focusing on iconic objects from American culture. My work explores the relationship between appearance and meaning, especially societal ideas of beauty. The subjects of my paintings and sculptures—flowers, candies, and toys—are designed to challenge viewers to look beyond surface appearances and question standards of beauty and desirability. Often, my pieces present objects through a lens of nostalgia or unconventional beauty, drawing viewers in and encouraging them to reassess their perceptions.

In 2024, I’m excited to expand my floral portrait series, experimenting with color and new media in ways that push this body of work further. My goal is to hold a solo exhibition showcasing these floral portraits and sculptures, including a large sculptural wall installation that visitors can touch and interact with. I’m also exploring the use of augmented reality, which I believe will add an exciting, immersive element to the series.

This year I will also be adding a limited series of prints to my website, including canvas prints, paper prints, acrylic block prints and even a series of fun conversation heart T-shirts.

My work is available through my website, and I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting in four solo shows and numerous juried exhibitions. I’m passionate about collaborating with collectors, interior designers, and art consultants to create pieces that truly resonate with their spaces and vision.

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?

I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my art career journey have been resilience, curiosity, and determination.
Resilience has been key because being an artist, especially full-time, involves a fair number of setbacks, challenges, and times where things just don’t go as planned. There are moments when your work doesn’t resonate the way you hoped, or when progress feels slow. But the ability to bounce back and keep going is essential. For anyone starting out, my advice is to learn how to reframe setbacks as opportunities to grow. Instead of seeing them as failures, look at what you can learn and use it to strengthen your practice.
Curiosity has driven me to constantly explore new ideas, materials, and techniques. It’s important to stay open to learning—whether it’s by adding to formal education, like I did at The Glassell School of Art, or simply by experimenting on your own. Curiosity leads to growth, and in the world of art, there’s always something new to discover. For those early in their journey, I recommend staying curious and never losing that desire to ask, “What if?” Allow time experimentation and increase your knowledge base, as this can will expand your art practice.
Finally, determination is what ties it all together. The art world can be tough, and it requires a deep sense of drive to keep moving forward. I’ve always been very goal focused, and try not to let obstacles discourage me. This determination has fueled my persistence during hard times and inspired some creative solutions along my journey.
So, embrace resilience, nurture your curiosity, and stay determined—and you can craft your own success story!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m definitely open to collaborating with interior designers and art consultants who are passionate about creating customized, one-of-a-kind pieces for their clients. I love the challenge of designing artwork that not only complements a space but also connects with the people who live or work in it. Each project is unique, offering the chance to create something truly personal—whether it’s a bold and unruly floral piece that compliments a specific space or a nostalgic painting that taps into meaningful memories.
If you’re a designer or consultant looking for a creative partnership that brings your vision and your client’s space to life, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out (my contact information is toward the end of this article), and I look forward to collaborating on something special!

Contact Info:

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