Meet Nicole Mckay | Mixed Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Mckay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Art is just part of who I am. In school I couldn’t decide what to study. Nothing felt right and it was all so stifling. I am not one that sits still very well. I don’t have formal art training besides a few art classes and a stab at graphic design, but I always knew that I needed to work in the arts, whether I was helping people achieve their art goals or creating my own work. It’s the only thing that didn’t make me feel like I was suffocating. I am truly lucky that I get to do both. I’ve been a mixed media painter for roughly 5 years and it still excites me when I get to spend time in my studio. My preferred mediums to work with are either oil pastels or colored pencils. On top of being an artist, I am the Artist Relations Director for The Guild of Artists & Artisans. One of my favorite things that I get to do is to help lead our Emerging Artist Program. In this program we give artists the tools and knowledge they need in order to be an art fair artist. Many artists get lost in trying to sell their work and end up giving up because they can’t make a living or don’t know really where to start. The Emerging Artist workshops take these artists step by step in how to sell at art fairs and building their own websites. By teaching this information, it truly helped me when I decided to take the plunge and start selling my work at art fairs. It’s super scary to take those steps and to leave your soul sort of bare for all to see, but the connections I make with customers and art lovers is amazing. The best part is seeing children get excited about art and to talk to them about their creations. It’s a great feeling to know that in some way, I may have ignited a passion for art for the next generation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first job, straight out of college, was at The Guild of Artists & Artisans. I had absolutely no idea what the organization was about. I found the job listing in the newspaper, applied, and have been working there ever since. 22 years later, I am still excited about being surrounded by art and artists, while helping them find ways to make a living and be successful. We are a non-profit, membership association of independent artists founded in 1973 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its mission is to develop and present art fairs to provide marketing opportunities for its members which also serve as educational, cultural and entertaining events for the community. The Guild draws upon its talented, exclusive and diverse membership to exhibit and sell their work at these events.

In 2020, like many people, I found myself laid off. While I had always been artistic and could draw, I could never seem to get my brain to put the pieces together and create successful paintings. On a whim, I took an online art class to help fill the time while I wasn’t working. Somehow I found magic in that art class and everything just clicked. Almost 5 years later I am still painting and now selling my own work. I focus on texture, depth, and color, along with a touch of whimsy. This year I added custom pet portraits to the list of what I create. I love connecting with my customers by creating art of their special furry family members. The best part of this journey has been all the help and advice from all the artists I have worked with along the way. The art world is an amazingly supportive group of people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmmmmmm, good question! I would definitely take them on a tour of all the great galleries in downtown Ann Arbor. Kerrytown has developed an excellent art district and is well worth the visit! I highly recommend the Gutman Gallery. Since we would be in the area, I would make sure we stopped by Tea Haus for a lovely cuppa and a macaron. (If you have not tried a macaron from Tea Haus then I would suggest you immediately go there and get one….or three!) I would probably then head to Jolly Pumpkin or Grizzly Peak for dinner and then to Arbor Distilling Company for a few drinks.

OR we would head to Detroit and visit the DIA, as it is an AMAZING museum that I think everyone should visit at least once and possibly then hop across the street to the Detroit Historical Museum. It’s a fascinating place to go and I always learn something new! And if there is time left, a trip to Detroit wouldn’t be complete without a visit to John King Used & Rare Books. I could happily surround myself in the stacks and stacks of books. Nothing beats getting lost in your imagination while reading an amazing book. For dinner I think we would head to Mercury and follow up with a visit to Batch Detroit in Corktown. If you haven’t, try one of their beer slushies. Definitely a great way to end an adventure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Guild of Artists & Artisans because without this organization I wouldn’t be the artist I am today. They’ve given me an amazing career and the knowledge of how to be a successful artist and guided so many along the way. For over 55 years, The Guild’s mission has supported the dreams of artists from around the world. (I would also like to add that my husband, Kevin, is pretty great for supporting my crazy art ideas.)

Website: https://www.nicolemckayart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcknicoleart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistNicoleMcKay/

Image Credits
Photos by Nicole McKay