Ten things we've learned from interviewing artists.

by Mandy & Kita

Nomad Nouvelle is a relatively new production. We've only been at this for a few months, and yet in that few months, we have gained a worlds worth of perspective. Our goal, when starting, was to learn more about different art styles, and to gain a wider network of artists. While those goals have been achieved to a degree none of us really expected, it's certainly not the only thing that we've been fortunate enough to experience.

We've spoken with musicians, painters, sculptors, dancers, and more, all in the hopes of better learning the ins and outs of making an artist “tick”. While mediums vary in every way, there is a definite line down the center of all of these that connects them. We've tried to take that line and take the lessons we have learned from it to share those lessons with you all today. Hopefully you get as much out of it as we have.

Kita

1. Living a life of art is usually an accident.
   It seems most people don't really intend to fall into art, and even those who do seem to never expect it to work out the way it does. Art is entirely ruled by human emotion, and emotion is unpredictable, so in many ways this doesn't take much explanation. However, one way or another, people rarely find themselves where they expect in life, and it seems for artists, this is doubly true.

2. Being a business person is a necessary thing.
   Many artists call it a necessary evil, but understanding how to run a business is at least as important as being able to create their art. In order to share their work, they must learn this skill. Often, they are self taught, with no real idea of what to do as they start. This brings me to my next point.
3. Being able to teach yourself something is a valuable skill.
   Artists don't typically make enough at their art to take a lot of classes. Most have truly learned how to teach themselves a skill, be it business, or a new technique for their art. It's a skill that requires discipline and research.

4. Practice really does make perfect.
   Artists spend grueling hours working towards their goals. Some photographers take hundreds of photos before selecting maybe one or two to actually work with and print. Song writers can spend weeks humming a melody to themselves and working out a new lyric, and this is for just one piece of work, never mind the dozens, if not hundreds they'll create over their lifetimes.

5. Art is art and it is found in some surprising places.
   Many people think art is easily defined. A painting is art, a sculpture, perhaps even a song or a dance. But what is more art, the song or the performance? Are they one and the same? Art is a thing that is defined more by the passion you put into it than what it initially appears as. If you look for it, art is nearly everywhere.

Mandy

1. Being an artist is a religious experience

Most artists describe the act of creating their work as very spiritual; as though something within them is fighting to get out, and they are just serving as the vessel for this higher energy.  Even artists who claim not to believe in “God” in a religious sense have admitted to us their acknowledgement that a force greater than them, or all of us, inspires them in their artistic endeavors.

2. Once you’ve heard the call, you can’t walk away

Once a person has taken those first baby steps, dabbling in one or more art forms until they’ve found one that truly speaks to them, giving it up is really not an option.  Those who have attempted to repress their creative passion, whether due to a day job, or out of duty to family, etc, have suffered for their choice. Depression, relationship problems, and that “going cuckoo” feeling are not uncommon for artists who have tried to deny that talent. The best thing to do is just make art.

3. Artists support one another

When we ask artists what they think about the art community here in the Salt Lake Valley, the overwhelming majority have expressed their love and gratitude for other artists in the area.  They let us know that while outside of the artist circle, there aren’t a ton of active art supporters, artists lean on each other, brag about one another, and maintain strong friendships.

4. You have to kind of be obsessed

One question we ask a lot of artists is, “If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do?” The most common response we get goes something like, “I don’t know, art is my whole life.” When someone loves art enough to consider themselves an artist, they usually have a space where they work on their art; this is where they spend most of their time. When they get a call, it’s usually from another artist, patron, or gallery. When they go out, it’s usually with their artist friends to some kind of artistic venue or show.  And when they aren’t doing any of this, you can probably guess that they’ll be brainstorming about what they’re going to create next.  So, you can see why #2 on my list happens.  These people would have to find something else to do with 100% of their time.

5. Artists love to share

Ask an artist about their art. Unless they’re in those verrrry early experimental days, or extremely shy, they will turn into the proud parent showing off their firstborn infant.  With a twinkle in their eye, they will pull out not only their popular work, but the treasure trove containing years of sketches, screw-ups, and early work.  They are just so eager to share it, whether they think it looks good or not. Their passion and enthusiasm is contagious, and it always puts us in that inspired, artsy mood.  

The best part of all of this is perhaps a simple fact: We've barely scratched the surface. Keep your eyes peeled, everyone. There is more art on the horizon, we have plenty more to share!