Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Nguyen
Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I would consider myself to have always been a creative person, dabbling in different arts and searching for creative outlets—I’ve thrown clay, I’ve made linocut prints, I’ve choreographed, I’ve painted, I’ve rendered 3D models. In 2021, I found and decided to take a stained glass workshop at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas. Going through the creation process with glass and seeing my final art piece shimmer in the sunlight, I realized that this was it: this is the medium I want to pursue and create in!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting out as a new glass artist was tough. I’ve found myself comparing my work and abilities to those of other established artists, and at times I was afraid of failing and getting frustrated at making mistakes; glass splinters, cuts, and solder burns are no fun. You can really be your own worst critic sometimes. Acknowledging that everyone is on their own unique artistic journey was a huge turning point for me. So, I’m continuously working on my personal craft, developing my techniques, and refining my own art style. I can confidently say that my solder lines are much cleaner now than they were even just a year ago!
I get so many ideas for projects that I want to create in glass. If I could show you my iPad library, you’d see pages upon pages of drafts and sketches. A struggle that I often face is translating these concepts into glass and finding creative ways to turn my ideas into tangible art. Are the pieces too small? Do the color choices make sense? How do I tastefully capture the essence of a thirst trap in glass? I’ve printed 3D jigs and used my Cricut to help bring these designs to life, but even learning to use these machines presented its own challenges. But when they all happen to work in tandem, it truly is such a rewarding feat!
One of my biggest struggles is finding the creative motivation to craft outside of my regular, full-time job. Some days I just don’t have the energy to create, and on other days I can go for hours cranking out a new project. I’m still trying to find that delicate balance, but what has helped me so far is to designate time out of the week to being creative. In that way, I have that dedicated time to look forward to getting crafty. Sundays aren’t that scary when you’re in the workshop!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I tell people that I do stained glasswork, I frequently get asked, “Oh, for like churches?” There is absolutely no shade to traditional stained glass art (I love a good origin story), but I want to be part of this new generation of glass artists that shows the beauty of glass in a different light.
I’ve created romantic portraits for newlyweds. I’ve turned a classic painting into glass, but with a playful twist: instead of the girl, it’s my dog with a pearl earring! I can’t keep any plants alive, so I made a glass plant that I theoretically can’t kill. I’ve brought my art into the 3D space, creating glass origami cranes and even a shiny rupee! And I’ve made pieces inspired by the anime, video games, and pop music and culture that have so vibrantly colored my life over the years.
I create pieces to capture precious moments and experiences in hopes of evoking those memories through my work!
What are your plans for the future?
I’ve sold pieces online and I’ve done commission work, but my next goal is to have a table at a craft fair or art market where I can showcase and sell my work and hopefully meet other creatives! I think it’s important to engage with other artists to help inspire and foster creativity. I’ve been fortunate to find an amazing community that shares the same passion for expression through art here in Dallas (shout out to the Dallas Asian American Art Club, @daaartclub on Instagram!). Through this engagement (both locally and through social media), I look forward to sharing more creative ideas, getting involved in community projects, and even potentially collaborating with other artists. So, come say hi! I’d love to hear your story too!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandandstonecreative/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sandandstonecreative
