Today we’d like to introduce you to Venessa “Nessie” Marie.
Venessa “Nessie”, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been creating since I was about three. I always knew I wanted to be an artist in some fashion and when I entered high school, I attended the North East School of the Arts focusing on visual art. It was from there that I was able to move on to the Savannah College of Art and Design. Originally I had intended to pursue illustration but switched majors and completed my B.F.A. as a Metals and Jewelry Student. For years after graduating, I pursued that career creating and designing my own lines of jewelry and doing lots of commission work for companies around the US. It wasn’t until moving back to Texas in 2014 that I began to miss painting and drawing and began sketching as a way to relax from the shows I was doing as a jeweler.
One night I created a fluffy sushi cat who was a piece of sushi, nothing new or crazy but he was my whimsical creation and my friends and family urged me to put him out with my other items at shows. I was hesitant because I didn’t think anyone would understand or even like him. Soon he became so popular and I couldn’t keep his prints in stock. Sammy, as I named him, brought me back to a world I had left behind and so deeply missed. It was his creation that really prompted me to start painting more and creating all sorts of cute and whimsical pieces. Before long I made the choice to completely switch my focus back to my roots and first love of painting. My art began to evolve and while most artists maybe stick to one set style, I couldn’t help but create several distinct styles to create and share the silly and whimsical ideas in my head. People sometimes ask if I miss doing the jewelry work, and while it was something that I did enjoy and I do still do from time to time I have never regretted my decision to leave that work behind to pursue my true passion and to be able to bring smiles to so many people around me.
Great, 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?
If I am completely honest, my biggest struggles have always been myself. I suffer from PTSD due to some trauma when I was younger and for a time it was hard to push thru each day to find the beauty and joy there is around me. My art used to be very dark and moody, it was my escape and a way to work thru my struggles. As I got older, I focused on creating things that brought me joy no matter what they were and that’s how I’ve come to have so many fun and silly paintings. I want to focus on things that bring smiles and joy to people from the instant they see them. For me, it helps to create things I love and even tho there are days where I feel down picking up a brush and painting a cute cat or flowing colorful hair never ceases to bring me out of my own head and smile.
Another big hurdle for me personally has been accepting my art and myself as I am. Lots of artists out there compare themselves to others and get down that they may not be as good or popular as them and I have felt that way too. Its taken me a long time to realize that I am me and my art is my art and there are people who love my art and people who don’t. There are days where I still feel the downside of being an artist and thinking I am not good enough but I try to remind myself that I improve everyday and as I do my art changes and grows and becomes more me and I need to love me, beauty, silliness, failures, successes, faults and all!
Nessie Marie Art – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am an Illustrator and Painter, I create artwork and custom pieces using both traditional and digital mediums. I specialize in watercolors and inks for my traditional art and use Photoshop and a Wacom display for my digital. Sammy, the Sushi Cat, is what I am most known for, lots of people when they find me again scream out “Sushi Cat Lady!”. He’s definitely the most popular creation of mine to date and even if people walk away with a different print his big face and tiny cute eyes always draw people in. I spend a lot of my shows hearing people of all ages scream sushi cat as they walk by my banner and even if they don’t understand so many still stop in and ask about him. Sammy and all my other whimsical creations are what I am most proud of, not just because of how they look but how they affect people. I have had people come in and laugh so hard they turn pink and tear up, others just scream about the cuteness, and I have had so many young aspiring artists come in to tell me that they are inspired a by me. That right there is the best feeling in the world, knowing that I can give inspiration to others to pursue their dreams, I consider it my way of making a lasting mark in his world. If I had to choose one thing that may set me apart It would be my desire to not only deliver very different and comical paintings but to offer my help to anyone who may be wanting to start off on their own journey to a career in the arts. I never say no to giving all the advice I can to others and have an open door for all those who may not be sure where to start, after all, what’s the good of knowledge if you aren’t willing to share it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Oh my, I have so many, most are just the completion of any new pieces, it’s a very exciting and proud moment to bring something to life. Though thinking more about it, there was one time at a show that always comes to mind. A young girl and her mother and sister came by my booth they took a look around and left after a few minutes, they wound up coming back and the mother explained that her daughter, who was quite shy, had told her that she loved my work so much and that I was such an inspiration to her. I almost cried because this young artist was just so happy as she clenched her sketchbook in hand and approached me to ask me several questions about how I got to where I was. I spent a while talking to the whole family about different things and made sure to let them know that my door was always open to any questions they may have in the future. It’s unmistakable to see the light and shine of admiration and inspiration in someone’s eyes and I will never forget them and how humbling It felt to be able to have the support and love from people like that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NessieMarieArt.com
- Phone: 210-232-8452
- Email: nessiemarieart@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/NessieMarieArt
- Facebook: Facebook.com/NessieMarieArt
- Twitter: twitter.com/NessieMarieArt
- Other: www.pinterest.com/NessieMarieArt
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