Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Long.
Hi Nick, 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’m a painter and designer. I’ve known my career path since the 7th grade. Every decision guided me in the direction of becoming a professional painter and a graphic designer. Much of my 50+ year career has been focused on graphic design in multiple industries: music, publishing, advertising, finance, and branding. The last 20 years, I’ve scaled back design and focused on painting.
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?
The road has been less than smooth. It’s been difficult sometimes to get from point A to point B in a straight line. There were many roadblocks, detours, and setbacks. All I could do was persevere and continue to move forward.
Struggles came in a variety of forms: a high school counselor who told me art was not an important career path; college professors/counselors who believed design was too commercial; and employers who underestimated my creative abilities. Personal setbacks caused me to start over more than a few times. All of this to say the struggles made me a stronger, better person and creative. What I have achieved, the skills I have gained over the years are due in large part to persevering. I continue to persevere.
Over the course of my career, I didn’t have mentors to guide and teach me how to become a professional artist or designer. It was all on me to find my way. I was confident in my ability and was stubborn enough to pursue it the only way I knew how—straight ahead. I began the process to become a painter with in-person visits to museums and galleries. Reading books and magazines, discovering painters whom I admired helped me formulate a personal aesthetic I’m still using today. My training was in abstract expressionism in the late 60s, but I knew I wanted to focus on realism.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a contemporary realist painter focusing primarily on non-traditional still life and interesting “found compositions” in watercolor, acrylic, and sometimes graphite. The subjects I choose are varied but have similar aesthetic qualities I find interesting which will sustain my interest for the duration of the work. I particularly enjoy developing a concept and title around a still life that may have a social, political, or personal meaning. Or sometimes it’s just because I think the concept is funny.
Early on I decided on a career strategy that felt comfortable—start at the top. Entering national juried competitions rather than smaller competitions seemed to be a more effective way to implement that strategy. The level of competition challenges me to improve my paintings by competing against some of the best painters in the country.
I’ve been very fortunate to have earned signature memberships in The American Watercolor Society, The National Watercolor Society, the Watercolor Honor Society, the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, the Tennessee Watercolor Society and elected membership to the Allied Artists of America. I’m still pursuing the Transparent Watercolor Society signature status but maybe in couple of years I’ll earn that honor as well.
Throughout my creative path, my wife, Jeri— an artist and designer as well—has been invaluable as a sounding board providing unwavering love and moral support. Growing up, my parents gave me unconditional support in my pursuit of an art career even though at times they thought what I was doing was weird. These two pieces of my life, among others, have given me immeasurable confidence to persevere and pursue my career.
I’m most proud that I don’t back away from challenging subjects though I might have doubts it could be beyond my skill level. I find immense satisfaction in completing a challenge where the final painting matches what is in my head.
I don’t believe there is any one thing that sets me apart—except my sense of humor. A lot of painters can do what I do, and a lot of painters can do it better than me. To paraphrase, “There is nothing new under the sun”. In my work, some pieces are humorous, and some are more serious. Some are beautiful subjects or objects, and some show the beauty you might not have noticed before. All in the attempt to make a personal connection.
How do you define success?
Success is relative. There are too many variables in an ever-changing world to define success with any certainty. Some measure success by how many paintings you put into the world or how fast you put them out there—the more the better. There are soooo many painters and so much great work! I think my last headcount was a gazillion. For me, the foundation of success is the simple satisfaction of creating something of beauty to be enjoyed by others. Big successes come by stringing together a multitude of little successes.
As I travel further down the road, I’ve come to realize success is knowing I’ve worked hard (persevered), made a good living, and I’ll hopefully continue to put more beautiful, engaging, thoughtful—and funny—work out into the world to be appreciated for years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicklongart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklongart/
- Facebook: Nick Long
