Nancy, Author at Nancy Nichols Artist

The New Wake-Up

May 18, 2015 by Nancy

The workshop—worked.

Coffee cup painted with coffee.

Coffee doesn’t just wake you up from your night’s sleep it can also wake up your sleeping creativity. There’s more than one thing to do with a cup of coffee and it may even be a better buzz.

In order for me to confirm my belief that just about anyone with an interest in my painting has an “artist-within” that just hasn’t had a safe place to test drive. For some reason Coffee Painting has an unexpected power to break down the “I could never do that!” block. I still can’t figure out what is so safe about it but I can clearly see it’s potential to erase inhibiting beliefs of creative inability. The workshop participants didn’t really believe that they could “make art” yet they were willing to show up and give it a shot. I asked each person to bring a shot of espresso and I believed that if they were willing to give it a try they were going to see in a matter of an hour that they could express themselves with painting. It worked for them and that made my belief work for me. Now I am planning my next coffee painting workshop

Filed Under: coffee painting, coffee painting workshop, Lingering Logs

Thinking Outside the Cup

May 7, 2015 by Nancy

Coffee painting workshop is available to everyone interested in getting creative with their morning coffee.

User Friendly Art
All levels of skill welcome – Beginners are encouraged
Love of coffee not a requirement but it can be helpful
Bring any supplies you already have | brushes & paper
You will find the Artist within

Filed Under: Blog, coffee painting, Lingering Logs, Paper, Pencils

It’s Show-Down

May 1, 2015 by Nancy

Another Coffee Tree

It’s not exactly The Finish Line but I have taken the Show Down in San Rafael and the paintings are currently stored in the trunk of my car. Now I am jokingly tempted to have a Trunk Show— I won’t!
Im just noticing that once again Im excited by a word/phrase that’s not necessarily a positive thing even if I do like the way it sounds. Kind of similar to liking of “Person of Interest”. Well, Show-time is over and now it’s Show-Down. By definition that indicates a confrontation or clash. I like the sound of it better than the reality of it. In my current case I clearly see the show-down — Web Design vs Be An Artist. And just to complete the full circle I will be volunteering at ArtWorks Downtown tomorrow night for a VIP event for artists. This is where it all started last fall and I am happy to say I love the Unexpected that took place. I got to be a “real” artist and have not let go of the future possibilities yet. Good News! I did sell a painting and do have another Coffee show coming up at Elain. Plus, the Coffee Painting workshop is coming up

However, I am feeling the necessity of “business” beyond the point of closing my eyes—pressure to make money. But, I am encouraged by the realization of the continuing need for well designed websites for artists. I am refreshed, rested and ready to jump back into it. Test the waters with a little more knowledge of the backend of WordPress. I’ve been practicing and have built a model site using the free version of WordPress.com. Thats the one “anyone can do and it’s free” Easier said than done but here’s my Sample Site. For the Love of Labyrinths

Filed Under: Blog, coffee painting, Lingering Logs, WordPress

Coffee Buzz | Talk•Talk•Talk

April 13, 2015 by Nancy

The reception is over and once again it comes with a relief. I am happy that the show will stay up until April 28th. This time I noticed a difference in the crowd and it’s probably a more realistic sampling of what I should expect. With each show fewer of my friends show up. This is pretty much a good thing for me because I can’t really socialize much with them and now realize that I am uncomfortable because I feel like I am ignoring them. This is most likely an over reaction on my part but at least I have uncovered the reason for some of my frustration. I find that all of my energy goes to chatting with anyone looking at my paintings and then I lunge into an interesting Coffee Rap. It seems like a lot of nervous energy but it is actually sincere because I do love the coffee paintings and get excited talking about them. It’s just so exhausting when it’s finally over.

Another thing I noticed was the strength the idea Coffee Painting Workshops is gaining. I feel even more enthusiastic about focusing on this next event. I especially like the “non-painters” who are interested because they are the group I really want to attract. The people that believe they are not creative and I believe they are or soon to see that they are.

My wall. I liked the shape of it that was created by the staircase above it. It made it easier to show a lot of different shapes that wouldn’t have worked if they were all in one row.

Ben & Jerry’s has an ice cream flavor called Coffee, Coffee – BuzzBuzzBuzz. Now I will search for it because it sounds delicious.

Filed Under: coffee painting, Lingering Logs

New Coffee paintings | Covering more Ground

April 5, 2015 by Nancy

New Painting with Coffee Art Show

Grounds for new art
The rotation of the shows happens this week and I am still focusing on having several new paintings for the Opening on Friday night. It’s full circle because DownTown Artworks is where it all started for me last December. I never expected the ground that’s been covered.

There will be new work and I will be curious if people recognize the old from the new. Will it look like “The same old stuff” or will it invite further interest? Also wondering how many people will keep returning to my shows. This show is really my first opportunity to be exposed to an Art Crowd. It feels a little more festive because lots of studios and galleries will be participating. I will be in the Founders’ Gallery with three of the Abracadabra artists from last December.— Loring is calling this show (or, us) Gang of Four. It’s difficult for me to see how my coffee paintings fit into the theme. My solution was to design my own “coffee”announcement but I realize nothing would have happened without Loring’s constant energy to put the show together. He made it all happen.

Filed Under: Blog, coffee painting, Lingering Logs

The Daily Grind

April 1, 2015 by Nancy

I’ve always been a little fascinated by names owners come up with for their coffee cafes. names like Royal Grounds, Fairfix and Shakey Grounds. My prep time is getting a little tight for my next coffee art show because I want to show some new work. I certainly wasn’t expecting there to be one show after another. This is a good thing — it pushes me. I have started three new paintings and plan for even more in the next week. The finish up the art deadline is April 8th and the San Rafael 2nd Friday Art Walk opening is April 10th.

Last week I got another ‘out of the blue’ opportunity to show my work. This time it’s my gym in San Anselmo. The women in my yoga class have been so supportive and excited about my art— about me being an artist. When the my next show during the month of April in San Rafael is over I will then have a show for the month of May at Elan in San Anselmo. This will be a good place for me to show & store my coffee collection. What’s next is still brewing!