Meet Nichole Blackburn

We recently connected with Nichole Blackburn and have shared our conversation below.

Nichole , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I keep my creativity alive by staying curious about the world. Travel plays a huge role. Whenever I’m exploring a new place even if it’s just a neighborhood in Los Angeles I pay attention to colors, textures, symbols and the back story of the neighborhood. Those impressions stay with me and eventually find their way into my work. I also return often to the classical techniques I learned in Versailles because they anchor me. They remind me that creativity isn’t just inspiration it’s discipline, repetition and respect for the craft. And honestly, working with so many designers and clients keeps me creatively energized. Every project presents a new challenge and pushes me to see art through fresh eyes.

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

I’d love to share a bit about my world. I’m the founder and Creative Director of Celadon Studio and Fine Art, where I create custom murals, children’s spaces and fine art for private residences, designers, architects and hospitality clients across the country. I also run a nonprofit called Big Sky Countries, which donates hand painted murals to children’s facilities around the world. The studio and the nonprofit balance each other perfectly. My creative work as a muralist helps me grow as an artist, while my nonprofit work keeps me grounded and connected to something much larger than myself.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to transform a space through visual storytelling. A mural becomes part of a person’s home, a hotel’s identity or a child’s environment. My classical training in art school gave me a strong foundation in technique, but my travels have taught me to see art everywhere. Whether it’s hieroglyphics in Saqqara, Egypt, textiles in Marrakech or the architecture of old European cities, these experiences expand my imagination and influence the murals I create back home.

Working with interior designers and hospitality clients is another inspiring part of what I do. Every project challenges me to think about the relationship between murals, space and architecture. Designers bring such a clear sense of vision, and collaborating with them pushes me to grow and explore new approaches.

Big Sky Countries continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Painting murals for children’s facilities in places like Kenya, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and the Philippines humbles me in a way that is hard to describe. Travel reminds me that the world is much larger than wherever I’m standing, and that art can bring joy to communities all over the world. Those experiences shape me both as a person and as an artist.

If there is one thing I hope people take away from my work, it’s that art can transform a room, uplift a community and tell a story that stays with you long after you walk away.

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?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey most are passion, discipline and curiosity.

Passion is the heartbeat of everything I do. It’s what keeps me painting after long days and what helps me push through burnout and creative challenges. For anyone starting out I always say to nurture your passion by staying connected to what lights you up.

Discipline came from majoring in Fine Art at San Diego State University, where my senior year I had 3 art internships, took 21 units and bartended! If I did not stay disciplined I could have jeopardized the amazing opportunities I had before me. My classical training in Versailles also taught me discipline, where I learned the importance of technique, repetition and truly honoring the craft of decorative painting.

Curiosity keeps my work alive and keeps me creatively charged. Travel has expanded my imagination in ways I could never have dreamed. Being open to new environments whether it’s trekking in the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp, visiting a mural school of Bhutan or exploring the colors of India keeps my creativity constantly recharged. My advice is to stay curious about everything. In a time of digital everything, take time to be curious. Observe more, ask questions, explore unfamiliar places, try new food, go to a movie solo, and let inspiration come from unexpected moments.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my mother did for me was believing in my path as an artist and provide me the opportunity to pursue a degree in fine art. My mom is Filipino and culturally, it was unheard of for anyone to be an artist. In Filipino families, the focus is often on stability and choosing careers like nursing or in the medical field. But my mom recognized how deeply passionate I was about art. She believed in the power of education, and she made the brave choice to support a dream that didn’t come with guarantees.

My mom supported me through four years at San Diego State University so I could earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts, and she continued to invest in my growth by supporting additional training with artists around the world. That foundation changed the entire trajectory of my life.

One of my favorite memories is from high school, when I received a young artist scholarship to Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. My mom would borrow a friend’s car since her small Hyundai wouldn’t make the drive and take me to the downtown campus and sit outside in the car for three hours while I took life drawing classes. My mom never complained once. She wanted me to follow my passion.

My mom’s support is the reason I became the artist I am today. It allowed me to pursue my craft with confidence, curiosity and passion. Every time I complete a mural whether it’s for a designer in Los Angeles or for a children’s’ facility somewhere around the world, I’m reminded that I’m standing on the foundation my Filipino mother built for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.celadonstudio.com
• Instagram: Celadonstudiofineart
• Facebook: Celadon Studio Fine Art
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/nichole-blackburn-0a763060

Image Credits

Charlotte Lea Photography