Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicola Gell.
Hi Nicola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Art has always run in my blood and as a child, you could find me drawing most of the time. My mom taught me how to draw horses, which became my drawing obsession, and my hunger to create just never ran out. In college, most students are told what degrees to pursue in order to make the most amount of money later, however, for me, I understood that an art degree isn’t a sure fire way to secure a career but my mom and step-dad always pushed me to follow my passion and I am extremely grateful for it. Another driving force in my life is my dad and my English roots. My dad is British and I’m lucky enough to call myself a dual citizen. I lived in England for a big chunk of my childhood so adapting to two cultures became my normal. I went to England every summer and my dad would take my brother and I on trips to different European countries. I was bit by the travel bug early! It was on my first backpacking trip across Europe that photography light bulb turned on in my heart. So I changed my major in University from drawing to photography. For me, the change wasn’t one of those “I never looked back” scenarios, truth is the opposite, my head plays ping pong with the two still today. I feel like my life now consists of three batteries that constantly need recharging: art-making, picture taking, and adventure-seeking. All three are huge components that makeup who I am and they make me giddy with happiness!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think any road worth traveling is without hurdles. Thats where you grow. I’ve thrown away paintings because I got so frustrated. I’ve lost entire photoshoot images because of corrupt memory cards, camera malfunctions during weddings accidentally dropped lenses and lost tons of money from various travel mishaps, all while having to take jobs on the side because art just didn’t cut it financially all the way quite yet. These experiences, as hard as some can be, I would never give back. It keeps you humble and you become wiser to what you like, don’t like, and what works for you, and what doesn’t. I don’t think one should ever be satisfied. Getting out of your comfort zone is when you open your eyes all the way – and use your peripherals.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
This is a fun question! I have many answers! With painting, I do murals and canvas paintings large and small. I paint everything from the female figure, to animals, to landscapes. With photography, for work I mostly specialize in band promo, but I shoot everything from boudoir, travel, SXSW, weddings, portraits, and I’m always looking for something creative and classy to do with nudes. It’s really difficult to pin down a style. I have several I think. It all boils down to how I get inspired by whatever is at hand. Be it the crashing waves on the shoreline, the energy the musicians bring to the stage, or the way a few colors blend across the wall, I just react to it and jump in the flow.
I think that is probably what I’m most proud of- not restricting myself to anyone kind of art. I don’t ever want to be a cookie-cutter, make all of them by hand! Every piece of art comes out different, work never gets boring and there’s always a new way to approach how you look at something. And the beauty is that you can never recreate something, it always becomes something new!
Lastly, I’d say my personality and work ethic has set me up and carried me to where I am. If something has my name on it, it better be something I’m proud of. I work hard, and I’ve short-changed myself several times along the way but I refuse to deliver something mediocre. I’m quirky and personable by nature. One of my most favorite jobs I’ve done recently was teaching a painting class, I put on some fun tunes and dressed up in an alter ego “Barb Ross”, and we drank wine and painted a happy scene! We were all rolling in laughter by the night’s end and I have to say, many in the class discovered a new love of painting that they hadn’t tapped into. There’s not a lot more rewarding than that!
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness for me comes from many angles. I’m blessed in life in so many ways but having such a loving, supportive family, boyfriend, and friends sit on top of the list.
Additionally, clients who are proud to show the work I give them make all of my efforts especially worth it, particularly when it’s a challenging request.
Another thing that brings me joy is having the chance to inspire others. I’ve taught children art classes, gymnastics classes, taught English while living abroad in Switzerland, and even taught photography to at-risk teenagers. Throughout all of these teaching experiences, I saw their minds light up with happiness when they discovered their own creative power and abilities to use what they learned. This filled my heart to the point of overflow!
I also revel in things like buying a ticket to somewhere in the world I’ve never been. And my ultimate happy place is the 24-day white water river rafting trip down the length of the Grand Canyon. I’m lucky enough to have gone twice and I’m giddy to be going again next spring. The sense of adventure makes my adrenaline flow, something about getting outside that comfort zone!
So many things! I can say I’m pretty darn happy!
Contact Info:
- Email: nicolagell@gmail.com
- Website: www.nicolagell.com
- Instagram: @nicolagell @nicolagellphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolagell
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuIPyqYM9F72dvs5YajVrWA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nicola-gell-studios-austin
