My earliest art memories involve doodling all over my notes in school and thriving in our required art classes. My sister and I grew up in a creative household, following our dad’s passion for music. Although I felt naturally drawn towards art, I didn’t truly pursue it until my freshman year at SUNY Oswego when I declared a minor in Studio Art. I had one art class each semester that would keep me sane durning my busy schedule of anthropology classes and rugby practices. I spent many late nights in drafty art buildings, Kid Cudi blasting in my headphones, totally zoned in on still life charcoal drawings. Or on the floor of my bedroom, unknowingly crushing pastels into my carpet as I scrambled to finish a portrait that was due.

My favorite classes were the ones that challenged me the most, specifically my watercolor class with Judith Ann Benedict. This was the first time I created with color and I found myself struggling to understand color theory. I just couldn’t understand the warms and the colds and how to mix colors to get what you wanted. That was a tough pill to swallow for me, since I always was able to rely on my natural abilities to create successful art. Up until that point I had mostly worked in black and white. Thankfully about halfway through the semester, it all clicked for me! And from that moment on I have loved working with color. It was the first time I experienced that magic flow state that every creative understands. I think back to that time fondly and still use those skills in my practice today.

After graduating, I was hit hard with post-grad realities. I had loose plans to serve a year of national service with Americorps NCCC, but had been put on the waitlist. I was 22 and back in my childhood bedroom, paralyzed by the decision of what to do next. For the first time in my life, I was looking out at an empty void - there was no clear direction for me. When I look back at this time, it was the first time I experienced true growing pains. I would go on to experience this feeling many times after, but this first time felt the most daunting.

I ended up being called to serve in Americorps 48 hours before I was expected to be in Denver. With the help and encouragement from my mom, I packed my bags and set off to Colorado. That year was filled with grueling hard work, building lifelong friendships, and serving diverse communities in the southwestern United States. I only had room in my government-issued backpack for a small sketchbook and some markers. I’d often sneak away from my team to draw mandalas and other intricate patterns as a way to unwind. I missed having the space and supplies to create whatever I wanted, and often dreamed of my art desk back at home. But when my time in Americorps was over and I moved back to Watertown for the summer, the desire to leave struck me once again.

Except this time it was even scarier. I was moving back to Denver without a job, without a government funded program to support me. I did have my best friend Jenn, who was also there on that formative 2003 picture day. So we packed up my Chevy Impala and after some tearful goodbyes, we hit the open road.

After arriving in Denver in the Fall of 2016, I started setting down some roots. I quickly adopted my dog, Carmen, and started making new friends. I began working at a nonprofit job where I wore many hats and learned a lot about running programs, marketing, payroll etc. But eventually I knew this wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m not meant to be behind a desk. I am thankful for the job experience I gained at my first professional job and I even had the opportunity to paint my first mural there. But after a while I started thinking that I could impact people's lives while also fulfilling my own needs and creative passions.

In the summer of 2019, I decided to dedicate my life to being an artist. Whether that meant part time or full time work, it didn’t matter. I just knew that I could not ignore my passion anymore. At this point I can’t imagine my life without creating art regularly. All of the courses that pushed my skills in college, the courage to set out for a different life, trying new things that scare me all the time - have all brought me to where I am today. Thank you for supporting my art and taking the time to read about my story.

~Nems