Interview With Vans Girl: Anne Faith Nicholls
Posted 10/09/2007 12:25:00 by i am vans
Anne Faith Nicholls
Artist
San Francisco, CA
1. What is your background on your career as an artist, how long have you have been doing it etc. What you do?
I am a professional artist currently based in San Francisco, CA, and I exhibit my work (paintings, drawings, assemblage and installations) in galleries nationwide. Since I can remember, I've been into art and projects and creating stuff with my hands. But I guess my professional career began with my education. I started college in Seattle as a business major on an art scholarship, and I finished with my BFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. The move from Washington to Cali was pivotal. During my first few years out of art school, when I was feeling lost and homesick, I found my niche smack in the middle of a growing underground art scene. With the help of friends, I was asked to participate in some small group shows at galleries in LA and San Francisco. At that time, I was making money doing several odd creative jobs in advertising and fashion merchandising, and just painting and experimenting with every free minute I got. When I was offered my first solo show in San Francisco in 2005, I dropped everything and just really focused on producing work to show and sell in galleries. From there, everything snowballed, and the more I worked and improved the more offers I got from galleries and companies for my fine art and illustrations. Now I do a few gallery shows a year, am working on a book, and doing more commercial work like album covers and Vans!
2. What inspires you?
My work is mainly emotionally inspired- I really try to "paint out" what I am going through in my own mind and create a visual narrative of my thoughts. I also paint about what I love though, and I love the outdoors. I love traveling, camping, wildlife, the beach and the mountains. I also am extremely inspired by and have a collection of antiques, taxidermy, photography, and of course, books. I love fashion, something with which, thankfully, artists get the privilege to be a bit eccentric about. Music is another huge one- I always have music on in the studio. My friends and loved ones are my greatest source of inspiration.
3. What do you try and convey in your work?
It's always a goal to create work that is alluring, intriguing and personal.
4. What's the Hardest thing you have found so far about being an artist / and the easiest?
There is nothing easy about being an artist aside from getting paint on your clothes. The hardest thing about being an artist is that it's a juggling act both personally, and professionally. Figuring out how to do work that is inspired AND good AND pays the bills, WHILE continuing to improve WITHOUT going a bit crazy is challenging. This industry is not for the faint of heart. You have to believe in yourself and your work, stick to your guns, and maintain your focus on your passions and goals.
5. If you could give an aspiring artist advice what would it be?
I'm still young and trying to figure it all out myself, but I would say study other artists, and go to as many museums and art openings as you possibly can. Then, experiment with new techniques and materials until you find a method of expression that is unique and personal. And then hang out with other artists who you can collaborate with on projects or who can hook you up with opportunities. Above all, find your passion and try to make everything in your life revolve around it.
. What has been your proudest moment so far?
I would say the highlights of my career have been my gallery exhibition openings. It is great to feel well received by the public and to communicate and relate with people on a visual level. For people to buy something of mine and hang it in their homes because it means something special to them, even though it's a personal expression of mine, is a great honor and compliment.
7. Where do you see your future as an artist going?
I am excited to be working on my first book (coming out in 2008), which chronicles my life and creative process as an artist through art, photography and personal journal excerpts. I am also continuing to exhibit my work in galleries, and hopefully will get more opportunities to travel to new places for work in the future. My website will be expanding with the opening of my online store soon. I am also planning on moving to LA, which I am really excited about. I am mostly excited to take my art to new and different levels, try new things, grow as a person and get better at what I do.
Artist
San Francisco, CA
1. What is your background on your career as an artist, how long have you have been doing it etc. What you do?
I am a professional artist currently based in San Francisco, CA, and I exhibit my work (paintings, drawings, assemblage and installations) in galleries nationwide. Since I can remember, I've been into art and projects and creating stuff with my hands. But I guess my professional career began with my education. I started college in Seattle as a business major on an art scholarship, and I finished with my BFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. The move from Washington to Cali was pivotal. During my first few years out of art school, when I was feeling lost and homesick, I found my niche smack in the middle of a growing underground art scene. With the help of friends, I was asked to participate in some small group shows at galleries in LA and San Francisco. At that time, I was making money doing several odd creative jobs in advertising and fashion merchandising, and just painting and experimenting with every free minute I got. When I was offered my first solo show in San Francisco in 2005, I dropped everything and just really focused on producing work to show and sell in galleries. From there, everything snowballed, and the more I worked and improved the more offers I got from galleries and companies for my fine art and illustrations. Now I do a few gallery shows a year, am working on a book, and doing more commercial work like album covers and Vans!
2. What inspires you?
My work is mainly emotionally inspired- I really try to "paint out" what I am going through in my own mind and create a visual narrative of my thoughts. I also paint about what I love though, and I love the outdoors. I love traveling, camping, wildlife, the beach and the mountains. I also am extremely inspired by and have a collection of antiques, taxidermy, photography, and of course, books. I love fashion, something with which, thankfully, artists get the privilege to be a bit eccentric about. Music is another huge one- I always have music on in the studio. My friends and loved ones are my greatest source of inspiration.
3. What do you try and convey in your work?
It's always a goal to create work that is alluring, intriguing and personal.
4. What's the Hardest thing you have found so far about being an artist / and the easiest?
There is nothing easy about being an artist aside from getting paint on your clothes. The hardest thing about being an artist is that it's a juggling act both personally, and professionally. Figuring out how to do work that is inspired AND good AND pays the bills, WHILE continuing to improve WITHOUT going a bit crazy is challenging. This industry is not for the faint of heart. You have to believe in yourself and your work, stick to your guns, and maintain your focus on your passions and goals.
5. If you could give an aspiring artist advice what would it be?
I'm still young and trying to figure it all out myself, but I would say study other artists, and go to as many museums and art openings as you possibly can. Then, experiment with new techniques and materials until you find a method of expression that is unique and personal. And then hang out with other artists who you can collaborate with on projects or who can hook you up with opportunities. Above all, find your passion and try to make everything in your life revolve around it.
. What has been your proudest moment so far?
I would say the highlights of my career have been my gallery exhibition openings. It is great to feel well received by the public and to communicate and relate with people on a visual level. For people to buy something of mine and hang it in their homes because it means something special to them, even though it's a personal expression of mine, is a great honor and compliment.
7. Where do you see your future as an artist going?
I am excited to be working on my first book (coming out in 2008), which chronicles my life and creative process as an artist through art, photography and personal journal excerpts. I am also continuing to exhibit my work in galleries, and hopefully will get more opportunities to travel to new places for work in the future. My website will be expanding with the opening of my online store soon. I am also planning on moving to LA, which I am really excited about. I am mostly excited to take my art to new and different levels, try new things, grow as a person and get better at what I do.