We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nuha Moretz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nuha below.
Nuha, 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.
Creativity for me comes from within and from my surroundings. It’s letting my heart and hands engage with the materials to express feelings, memories, and my conscious and subconscious thoughts. I draw inspiration from everything around me, nature, my travels and my love for colors and patterns. Certainly, there is so much beauty around us, we just need to pause to take note!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Yemeni-American artist who moved to Utah five years ago. My love and appreciation for art started when I was in high school. I spent countless hours in the art lab, and took every art class possible. I really wanted to pursue a degree in art, but my parents talked me out of it in favor of a more “practical” path. While getting an M.A from Ohio University in International Studies as a Fulbright Scholar, I focused on education reform and gender equity, topics that are still dear to my heart, even as I have returned to my passion for art in recent years.
These studies helped launch my “practical” career working and traveling in multiple countries in North and East Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Throughout my travels, I always took time to connect with local artists, take classes, and collect original pieces that touched me. I am very grateful to have been exposed to such varied cultures along the way, since they influenced my development and growth as an artist.
As a largely self-taught artist, I like to use shape, form, colors and textures to create depth through unique layering of materials. I allow colors and movement to guide my art process. Art is a form of communication, and I paint to channel inspiration drawn from my surroundings. I use color to illustrate mood, intensity and the contrasts between warm and cool colors. At times, my art reflects my desire to express what I cannot convey through mere words, whether it’s a social or political topic. My goal is to connect with people through my art in a way that is freeing, and intellectually and emotionally engaging.
An upcoming event that I’m excited about and one that means so much to me personally is my participation in the U.S Department of State’s Art in Embassies (AIE) global art program. Over the years, this program has played an important public diplomacy role by promoting cross-cultural understanding through the arts. I’m truly honored that the U.S Ambassador H.E. Steven H. Fagin, selected two of my art pieces, titled “ Forgotten Yemen” and “Life’s Twist and Turns,” to be displayed in his residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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?
When I think about things that have impacted my journey as an artist, the first has been to keep believing in myself and my abilities even when self doubt creeped in or others doubted me. I also strive to be genuine in my art and artistic process, and to never stop learning and exploring while channeling my passion. Creative individuals are usually self-critical; when you add in constant criticism by others, it is important to not lose focus of your purpose and to keep painting, developing and accessing your goals. I would also say, try to find like-minded individuals that are not threatened by others’ success, who in fact want to celebrate and elevate you. I am grateful that I have an amazing successful artist friend that has been a positive role model in my artistic journey and has shared insights from her journey with me
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The past few years I experimented with many different styles, techniques and I have really enjoyed the process. In the past year, though, I have been working towards refining my style and voice as an artist. Although I still express myself through abstract art, my style is becoming more targeted rather than experimental. I use abstract art to illustrate nature in the simplest way possible yet still be relatable and accessible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nuhamoretz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moretznuha/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nuhamoretz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nuha-moretz-33726880/
