–Meet the Artist:Nikki O’Shea–
founder of Cute Core Designs. Graphics Design/Illustrations
Q: What inspires you to create?
A: I get inspired by whatever is going on and by whatever I’m feeling at the time, I feel like that works much better for me (in a creative aspect), rather than sitting and trying to think of the next great masterpiece.
Q: Name an artist you are wow’d by?
A: There are so many to name here (hehe), but if I really had to narrow it down to a specific artist it would probably be Vincent Van Gogh. I know it sounds like typical choice for a visual artist to pick him, but I d have to admit that his palette choices have always intrigued me whenever I would see his works in the museums I’ve visited; and his brush strokes make the image seem almost raw to look at, thus bringing a certain type of energy to his paintings.
Q: When you create, do you typically listen to music, and if so what?
A: When the mood gets to me (and when I’m not being lazy), I’ll put on my iPod or Spotify for some music. Depending on what I’m feeling at the moment, I would listen to either some calming indie rock (like City and Colour or Matt and Kim) or maybe some hardcore (like Devll Wears Prada or I Set My Friends on Fire)
Q: Any recommended reading?
A: I just recently got to finish reading “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” by Tucker Max. It was a funny book for me because I’m a sucker for crude man-humour, but it is NOT for everyone (feminists and people who are prude will definitely not like this book). Otherwise, I’d say “Go for it!” for everyone else. However, I saw the movie adaptation of this book…not recommending that!
Q: Are you an action, comedy or romance kinda girl, and what film would you then recommend? Of course you could also maybe be into documentaries?
A: I really enjoy watching comedies, and like I said before, I enjoy movies with crude humour. I’m also a fan of classic horror films, like the “Night of the Living Dead” series. But my secret obsession is really bio-pics.
Q: We know being an artist is a lot of work, so what drives you to keep going?
A: My partner (in life and in work) Tony helps keep me going. He has always pushed me to get better in the field, leading me to go back to school to learn about web design and graphic design. If it wasn’t for him, I think my art wouldn’t have gotten this far. I would still be doodling in notebooks and on diner placemats.
Q: Most entertaining/interesting/boring story from a previous show?
A: I had a landscape painting in a charity auction for a local art center in Poughkeepsie, NY (my hometown). I was the youngest one there, Everyone was old, upper-middle class and drunk on crappy wine and stuffing their faces with semi-good cheese. One lady kept trying to hug me and got in my personal space WAY too much. I felt very uncomfortable. After several hours the auction was over, and all the paintings were chosen by the bidders…and mine was the only one left unpicked. I as so mad, I took down my painting from the wall and left. No one even said goodbye. I still have the painting in my house.
Q: Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
A: “You’re a very funny artist, miss. I hope you would keep going and continue making more drawings”– Joe Kubert (at NY Comic Con 2010)
Q: Worst?
A: “You should quit! I would pay you to actually stop making this s**t!”–anonymous email from a person on Craigslist
Q: How do you think the internet has changed art?
A: The Internet has definitely made the access and exposure of little known artists around the world. In a way, it’s almost a Godsend. I don’t think half as many people would be able to showcase their talents (be it art, music, film, whatever) and the discovery of new ideas would be extremely limited. Plus the Internet has made it a lot easier to learn new techniques and mediums without having to go to an art class or a studio to do it.
Want to be our next featured artist? Send us a message with some info (links, who you are, what you do) theteam [at] allwegotrecords [dot] com
