We recently connected with Nikki Stinson and have shared our conversation below.
Nikki, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Unquestionably, my work ethic comes from my parents. Having grown up in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, with two hard working parents, my mom was a stay at home mom until I was in high school and my dad was in the retail optics business, both creative and with a knack for doing things on their own, I quickly developed the mentality that DIY was the only way to go. Over the course of my childhood I watched my parents finish out their basement, wallpaper, lay down carpet, take up carpet, paint rooms, tear down walls, rearrange furniture, stain decks, lay tile, and so much more. We took trips to the hardware store and local nurserys on weekends and I would watch my parents work until each job they started was complete. To that end, I have developed a love of “work” and never seem to sit down, as there is always something to be “worked” on! I have four wonderful kids, a full time job as a teacher at my kids’ school, Trinity Christian Academy, I am a professional artist and have a design company on the side. There truly aren’t enough hours in the day, but I try to live up to my parents’ standards and fill each hour with productivity.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I pursued a creative career because art, design and a passion to create run through my blood. Creativity defines me and has always come naturally. I find serious joy in the entire process from start to finish.When I was a child I would find an object or an empty product container and my first thought would always be, “What can I turn this into?” or “In this situation, how can I design it better?” I felt inclined to problem solve and explore unique design avenues. As Charles Eames once said, “Design addresses itself to the need.” He was spot on. At the heart of all art and design is a need for something aesthetically pleasing. I have had this inner desire to create my whole life, whether it is turning something sculptural into something else, or painting on a blank canvas.
I attended the University of Colorado, Boulder with a BA in Advertising from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a minor in Marketing from the Business School. Naturally, I studied advertising and design because I was creative, but I was also excited about business and entrepreneurship, business strategies, marketing and the psychology behind it all, so a marketing minor was a no brainer.
After 10 years in the advertising world as a creative director and advertising agency owner, marriage and children followed. I started my own design company, Tickled Designs, designing paper products and most recently have devoted my time to fine art with Nikki Stinson Art. I have also found a love of teaching my craft and spreading my love of creating by teaching kids and adults alike. I have a love for all things design – including interior design. My website features art, wallpaper, and fabrics. Whatever I can cover in art, I intend to do so!
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?
Looking back at my life and career as an artist, I’d have to say that the three qualities and skills that were most impactful in my journey were the following. Number one, be investigative. The only way to find your true self and passion is to research, constantly learn more about what interests you and tap into resources that can help develop what drives you creatively. Number two, be experimental. Don’t be afraid to tackle new things and experiment with materials. You’ll never know what works (or doesn’t) if you don’t try new processes. Number three, be true to yourself. It’s easy in today’s world to get caught up watching other artists on Instagram and other social media and want to copy the work they are creating. It’s also easy to let the influence of other artists curtail your own creativity because of jealousy or comparison. Comparison kills. You must stay true to your own thoughts, beliefs and creative ideas and eventually someone else will recognize your amazing talent.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I love this questions. Who is my ideal client? My ideal client is someone that has been exposed to my work, or has heard about me by word of mouth, loves my creative process and has vision. Not everyone has the ability to think visually, but I love when a client says “I know I need something here in this space, but I’m not sure what, but I will trust you to come up with something wonderful.” That kind of trust from a client emboldens me to freely embrace the creative process and in turn, question myself less as I create, therefore, the end results are typically exactly what the client wanted but didn’t know she wanted. I’m not stifled by other ideas or restrictions and it allows me to create something I love for someone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikkistinsonart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nikkistinsonart
