Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrick Nicholas
Derrick, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Art has been a passion of mine since I was a child. While sports and music were fun, entertaining and compelling, they never satiated my appetite for “creativity” like art. I could could create at any time or place, with nothing more than a pencil and paper.
My parents noticed this passion and talent early on and supported it through tools and training. They made sure I stayed with “How to draw” booklets at home and enrolled in art classes through grade school. I attended and graduated North Carolina A&T University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Graphic Design, with a focus in Printing and Publishing. This lead to commission based opportunities to showcase my creative and design skills for small businesses in both print and digital mediums.
As with most of the world, the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 forced all of us inside our homes and minds. While navigating my mind, painting on large canvases revealed itself as a new means of therapy. The physicality and creativity needed to paint 5ft to 7ft canvases became the cathartic experience I needed to find my center. This newfound creative manifestation carried me for 2 years into 2022 when I first started entering into local exhibitions. I started winning cash prizes based off voting, but more importantly, I found a community of artist to connect and explore my ideas. That is the same community and journey I continue today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road worth traveling comes without its setbacks. My art comes from my imagination, which is fueled heavily by my mental health. The beauty in that approach is that a season of stabilized and fortified clarity can yield countless designs and creations. The unfortunate reality of that same approach is the stifling and complete blockage of ideas when LIFE goes left.
Some will tell you to persevere through those moments with some form of creative design. Possibly working on smaller pieces and keeping the “skillset” active. However, the honest truth, is that in those dark spaces of abysmal disorientation, I don’t feel like creating anything. The disconnect between my talent and my execution is so wide during those times, I start to believe that I’ve literally lost the gift.
Time and experience has informed me not to panic during those seasons, and simply pivot towards other forms of artistic expression (like cooking) to satisfy my need to create. Then, inevitably, the cerebral dark clouds dissipate and the light of exploration and imagination re-emerge yielding all new designs.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In 2023, I officially started my own business called “Nicholas Edward”. It’s a self-ran space for me to showcase and share my art with the world. If you visit my website you’ll find the paintings that I’ve created over time, available to purchase. If you visit my Instagram page, you’ll find some shows and venues I’ve been displayed or sold pieces.
My main focuses are digital art and large abstract paintings. They both satiate my specific taste for design, but in very different ways with the mediums being so different. I try not to focus too much on what sets me apart, more so than what keeps me focused on who I am. My art is a reflection of my own thoughts, ideas and experiences that are fueled by my real life. In that regard, they are just as similar and unique as one might find me in comparison to other humans they have met.
I am always honored and somewhat shocked when my art finds connection in others to the point where they want to purchase and showcase in their own living space. Their is a deep sense of gratification and humility whenever those moments occur and it brings me great joy every time.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The COVID-19 crisis forced me to start an unforeseen yet deeply fulfilling journey of self-discovery and evolution that has yielded significant results. All pertaining to myself, some of those lessons were “patience”, “kindness” and “intention”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicholasedward.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usernamesoverwhelmme
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q4XemtdijlY?si=loUhn8AArzEyd4CL
