Meet Zoe Nestle

We recently connected with Zoe Nestle and have shared our conversation below.

Zoe, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I find inspiration by surrounding myself with art. My studio is filled with pieces I have made and work from artists I admire. I also love to step outside the studio to visit galleries and museums. Music also plays a role in my creative process; sometimes a single lyric or verse can spark an idea that will inspire me. However, I have also found that vacations are a wonderful way to keep my energy alive and flowing. Briefly stepping away gives me space to recharge, and by the time I arrive home, I am bursting with ideas and ready to dive back in.

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 am a digital artist drawn to those unnoticed moments and emotions that shape us. My work examines themes like vulnerability, resilience, memory, and change. I am curious about how we become who we are. Recently, I have been using self-portraiture to reflect on our inner worlds and how they evolve.

I don’t approach self-portraits as a way to represent identity in a fixed sense. Instead, I see them as a way to examine how we process and shift over time. I am drawn to what lies between order and chaos, those moments that are hard to put into words but are deeply felt.

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?

My time in college has been incredibly valuable for my development as an artist. Through my drawing classes, I gained a solid understanding of proportions, perspective, and the patience required to trust in the creative process. These lessons strengthened my artwork and also made me realize that it is completely normal to make hundreds of drawings only to keep a few good ones.

That said, no one needs to take formal college courses to improve their craft. However, you must dedicate the time you need to learn the fundamentals. Before college, I was self-taught but felt creatively stuck. It wasn’t until I consciously worked on building the skills that I lacked that I was able to break through and continue evolving as an artist. Even now, I return to the basics to refresh and refine my technique.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I find it helps to take a step back from my work and shift my attention elsewhere. Sometimes, I will take a short 15-minute break, grab a coffee, or dive into a different project. This helps clear my mind, calm my thoughts, and regain focus.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoenestle/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ZoeNestle
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoenestle