Today we’d like to introduce you to Nishi Patel.
Hi Nishi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began as a closet studio artist, literally. Imagine a 6 yr old child in a closet just big enough for a cardboard box for a chair and stacks of more boxes for an easel…and you guessed it, the lid of a cardboard box was my canvas! My parents owned a motel and this storage closet was the perfect hideout to just be with my young adventurous mind and paint away.
I eventually got a degree and career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, and found my passion working in the Blood Bank. My dad instilled the importance of being financially stable, and I do not disagree. 4 years later, I went back to school and became an Early Childhood Montessori Teacher to align with my life as a new mom. Through it all, I always kept a little corner or closet carved out for my creative exploration, painting (on an actual canvas 🙂 in acrylics and oils. It is a grounding and energizing practice that I will never be able to break away from. In a way, you could say, it sustains me.
Unfortunately, my dad got sick and passed away in 2015. I quit my day job due to other responsibilities and went nose deep into writing, which then turned into poems. Poetry became my outlet and source of healing. When I shared some of my poems with total random strangers on socials, I found that other people also connected with my work as I did with theirs. That’s when I knew I needed to write a book – not for me, but for an alternative and creative way to connect in our grief. I thought to myself, if I can put my writing out into the world, why not put my lifelong passion out there as well? So here I am, painting away with even more ambition, in a spare room that once was a playroom for my kids, now a converted studio (which is NOT a closet!)
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?
Creating is the easy part, as long as I am creating with my values instead of trying to please the trend. Going all-in with my art business is something else. I am a one-woman show. Marketing and all the behind-the-scenes work takes a different type of head space than when I am creating. It’s time-consuming. The good news is that I am not in a race. I’ve learned to take small steps to achieve my goals. One of my biggest struggles is getting in my own way with things like perfection and fear of worth in my work. Since one of my values is connection, it reminds me to keep sharing my artistic journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Nishi Patel, and I am a visual artist and a contemporary poet. I paint on canvas and with all types of media such as acrylics, oils, watercolor, and inks. I like to explore landscapes, florals, and abstract compositions. The common thread between all my paintings is that they resemble an internal sacred space to feel fully. It can be joy or grief, and oftentimes both. As mentioned above, I started writing after my father passed away, and I now have two self-published poetry books: The Inheritance of Grief and Sometimes the Birds Come Back. I am completely self-taught in both of my craft. Some people shy away from mentioning this, but I see this as a huge achievement to be proud of.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
It is important for me to practice yoga or go for a walk every morning. When I take care of myself in this way, time spent crafting comes more naturally. When I am not feeling my 100%, I know that any small acts of self care, journaling, or line drawing goes a really long way. My core values of love, connection and truth keeps me grounded.
Pricing:
- The Inheritance of Grief $14.99
- Sometimes the Birds Come Back $14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bynishipatel.com
- Instagram: by.nishi.patel
