Nick Nortier: Meet the Artist
Meet Nick Nortier a muralist specializing in printmaking and illustration. Nick has worked with Lions and Rabbits on several projects including After Dark 2020, After Dark artist markets, Barricades and curated work in the gallery. Nick shares more about his work, process and inspiration in the following interview
Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?
A: Hannah reached out to me to come check out the gallery before it was open and I was super impressed with her vision. I was invited to put up some work for the grand opening and we’ve been working together on various projects ever since. I live in the neighborhood too, so it’s exciting to see these projects move from idea to actuality.
Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?
A: The consistent theme in my work is nature and our relationship to it; we are all nature, although most of the time it doesn't seem that way. Every human being and every living thing is interconnected on a base level because we all come from the same source. I have some pieces that focus on different social issues as well.
After Dark 2020 located at the DAAC 553 Plainfield Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Q: Run us through your creative process - How do you start, flow and finish?
A: My process starts with concept sketching until I find something that I like. Then I take that and redraw and refine it to the point where I’m happy with it, either traditionally or digitally. Ideas can come from all sorts of different places, there’s neat stuff everywhere if you pay attention.
Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face through your creative process
A: The biggest obstacle that I’ve encountered is depression and self doubt. For a lot of creatives, making work is therapy and it really helps to get through those tough times. Self doubt is something I think plagues a lot of artists as well and it takes a lot of work to believe in yourself, which is why I think it’s crucial that we all encourage and lift each other up. Sometimes the smallest amount of encouragement can reinforce an artist’s belief that they are doing the right thing and that they are in fact capable of tackling whatever project they are working on. Even at this stage in my career I doubt myself on a lot of projects that I’m working on. I’ll work on something and think that its terrible for the entire duration of the project until I’m getting close to finishing it and it all comes together and then I fall in love with it and remember that I had it in the bag the whole time. Constructive criticism and feedback from peers can help push through these moments. Fear is something that holds a lot of people back too. The fear of failure can prevent people from even trying and if you never try you never know.
Q: Can you share a little more about how your art career started. Have you always been in your field? Were you self taught or had additional schooling?
A: It’s been my goal to be my own boss for over a decade and it took three different times of me quitting my job over that period to finally make it happen. I really wanted to get into painting murals so I began going to every networking event I could and talked to as many people as possible. I eventually landed a mural gig through the UICA and it’s been word of mouth ever since. It’s been a rollercoaster ride to say the least but I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for a thing.
Q: Who/what are your biggest inspirations that play a key role in the work you produce?
A: My influences in art are the people that consistently make art and are doing what they love. Honestly, I look up to and admire people that are living their truth and doing so to the fullest extent. This applies to artists, musicians, poets, teachers, nurses, activists, community organizers, entrepreneurs, whatever you’re into. The people that inspire me are the people that follow their passion.
Mural at Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Q: Is there anything you wish you could change about your work?
A: My work is always changing and evolving. Never plateau
Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them? What are you trying to get better at?
A: One of the biggest mistakes I made was being too eager early on. I was so excited about murals and freelance that I sort of jumped the gun on some things, which forced me to learn certain lessons in a much more difficult way. I've gotten a lot better at simply going with the flow of things and not stressing (well, stressing less) if an opportunity doesn't work out. It’s not the end of the world, other opportunities present themselves.
Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?
A: Very supported, keep doing what you're doing!
Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself
A: Fall of 2021 was a moment where I was super proud of myself. Since my work primarily focuses on flora and fauna, I've never really painted a mural of a person. I was pretty good at it back in the day but hadn't painted a portrait in 7 or 8 years and I wanted to jump back in. The first practice in Procreate was terrible. The second was was a lot better and I decided to use that one as the base for a mural I was starting on the side of our studio. I got part way through the mural and began stressing out because again, I thought it looked absolutely terrible. The next day I went back feeling fresh and determined and painted for hours and eventually got it to a point where I felt super excited about it. The mural is currently unfinished because I ran out of good weather but its headed in the right direction and I’m feeling great about it. The important thing is to believe in yourself and keep trying and keep pushing no matter what. There are times when you’re going to fail but it’s important to remember that failure can help lead to growth. Another thing that’s stuck with me over the years is “If you did it once you can do it again”. A professor of mine at GRCC said that when I made a pinch pot, which I wasn’t very good at, and he had me smash it and do it again, which resulted in an even better finished product.
2021 Barricade initiative
Q: What's most important to you about what you create, and how it impacts others?
A: The most important thing to me is to create work that I love. Like I mentioned earlier, art is therapy, so its incredibly important for said artist to make work that they themselves love. Additionally, when a piece comes from the heart it feels authentic.
Q: What's next? What are you currently focusing on or looking forward to?
A: I have a few clients lined up for interior murals this winter as well as a couple potential exterior projects for this spring and summer. I'll be continuing to work on printmaking and have a number of new designs I'd like to have print ready in time for the next market season.
Q: What does being an artist mean to you? What is the function of artists in society?
A: I believe that one of the primary functions of artists in society is to bring joy. Murals and paintings bring people so much happiness and its so fun to see people’s faces light up when they look at a certain piece that they resonate with. I also believe that an artist’s function to communicate visually whats happening in the world and to bring it to a larger audience. Art can intemperate this in a unique way and can be a powerful tool for social change.
Q: And of course, if you could chose any vehicle to travel, real or imaginary what would it be?
A: Let’s go intergalactic on some sort of spaceship.
Follow more of their work on https://www.oldgrowthcreative.com and instagram.com/OldGrowthCreative
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