Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichelle Antonia Cuevas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I have always been artistically inclined. I was bullied often, and struggled at home with familial issues so the arts as a whole became an outlet for me. My art was my voice when I couldn’t necessarily express what I was feeling vocally. Later on, it became my coping mechanism for depression and anxiety.
It was not until high school that I truly embraced visual arts. I had a mentor who would put my pieces in competitions, and much to my surprise I received recognition. Seeing as how the arts gave me a voice many of my pieces were based on social issues. My paintings became my platform to speak on matters that concerned me like mental health, rape culture, and colorism. Those works landed me in The Fashion Institute of Technology where I am able to work and expand on my craft all the while building a name for myself.
Now, some odd years later from high school, I still try and use my art as a platform not only to speak on the issues important to me but to uplift those around me. I think that as a young Latina artist it’s important for me to use my art to inspire other members of the Latinx community and POC in general.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not. Growing up with depression, and anxiety has always fostered an extra bit of self-doubt, an extra bit of hesitation, and a whole lot of insecurity. I was always unsure of myself. Consistently rationalizing that I would never be good enough so, therefore, I could not succeed. Every artist at some point feels this way, but it’s really how you deal with this insecurity that matters. Do you let your insecurities define you or do you let it fuel you to be a better artist? Do you let it fuel you to be a better person?
A journey with a smooth road leaves little room for lessons and growth. I can say that as you venture on your journey as a young artist, particularly a young female artist, it will never be easy. People may not take you seriously as they have me, and they may disagree with your vision. I learned that you have to trust yourself, work through your fears, battle your insecurities, and take lessons where you find them. Your art may not be for everyone. YOU may not be for everyone, but that is okay. As long as your art is real to you, and it speaks your truth, someone will resonate with it.
Please tell us about Nichie Killer Art.
My work is an exploration of portraiture, and my subjects are usually POC. My pieces range from multi-media collage to paintings, and handmade prints. I find people endlessly fascinating and will sketch strangers whenever I get the chance. Human expression is honestly the most interesting things to observe because each expression is unique to the individual. I try to convey my subject’s individuality through expression in every piece I create.
My most current works are portraits of close friends collaged with personal writings, or texts that I find fascinating. They are extremely personal and offer the viewer some insight into my thoughts. For a long time, I struggled with creating work that felt honest to me. It may have explored my vision and my thoughts, but not necessarily who I was as a person. My art has become a true extension of me, and if that does not set it apart from anyone else’s than I don’t know what would.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
The media can be discouraging at times, but the opportunities for women are boundless. Every day, I meet more and more powerful women with different positions in the creative industries. Aside from visual arts being an amazing field for women to breakthrough, the film industry is becoming more intersectional every day. With directors like Ava DuVernay (A Wrinkle in Time) and Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) women are becoming increasingly more involved in the more male-dominated fields within film. Other than film, the advertising industry has become increasingly female dominated. With women heading creative advertising departments within major companies like Macy’s, and Anthropology this field is certainly a broad, and fascinating one.
I personally believe in making your own opportunities so while there are fields that women are well positioned for such as teaching, nursing, and social work that does not mean that you need to stop there. Women are breaking through male-dominated fields every single day, and if there is a position you would like to go for then, by all means, strive for it.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6465844262
- Email: nichellecuevas07@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichie.killer/
Image Credit:
Nichelle Cuevas
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