Check out Nikki Charnstrom’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Charnstrom.

Nikki, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
If you asked me to count my childhood diaries, we might be here awhile. Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve had an obsession with journals and the art of putting pen to paper. Writing has always been an innate calling, but I didn’t realize the gift I had until my eighth-grade teacher told me I had a way with words. It was at that moment, everything clicked… I was a writer, and really, I never turned back. I confidently pursued my craft as if there was no other choice.

Flash forward to high school when I realized writers didn’t always make the highest income. With college on the horizon, I needed a career path worthy of my time, energy, and talents — journalism. Oh, how my love for the industry grew with every interview conducted, photo captured, and by-line printed. I found my purpose and passion in journalism, eventually earning a degree in it from Northern Arizona University in 2016.

Post-college I worked at a coffee shop until I found that “big girl” job eight months later. The job was in my field, but not necessarily what I pictured when I was working toward my degree. The experience taught me a lot about the television industry, and I grew in my skills. However, there was a yearning in me for more. I felt I wasn’t measuring up to my potential and utilizing every single one of my talents.

This empty space in my soul created some frustration and confusion. As the fire inside of me came close to fizzling out, I had an epiphany. I would create my own opportunity to find fulfillment and passion again. So, with every bit of motivation, many late nights, and a small budget, I founded Crowned Chics, a blog “created to empower women to wear life’s many crowns with grace and a whole lot of strength.”

As I reflect on the year that’s passed, Crowned Chics has become my heart and soul. What was birthed out of hollowness has been the very thing to overflow the void with purpose. Amidst working an engaging full-time job and managing my photography business, I know without a doubt, this is what I am destined for at this time in my life.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Crowned Chics is a space and community for women to find purpose and belonging. Between myself and my small team of writers, our mission is to inspire, empower, and celebrate women everywhere. We strive to tell unfiltered, real, and candid stories. Social media is a mess of fabricated feelings and imagery. What women really need is honesty, a girl to relate to, and a mom who is going to tell you she doesn’t have it all together.

It’s not just about the monthly blog topics or styled photo shoots. Heck, that’s not even close. It’s about the girl out there questioning her purpose. It’s about the unhappy businesswoman struggling to see the meaning in spreadsheets. It’s about the stay-at-home mother who’s sacrificed her own dreams to care for her children. You see, we are a community of women who want nothing more than to come together in fearless abandon, throwing away all judgment and pettiness.

When we begin to accept one another, flaws and all, we have the power to influence change in our own lives and those around us. That invisible crown on your head is everything you need to own your life and step into your destiny. But, don’t do it alone. Take hands with the women in your community and move forward together.

How can artists connect with other artists?
I think, as artists, we are naturally independent people who like our space. I know I do! Often times, we default to the “I am going to do everything myself” mode that we forget we don’t know everything. Here is my advice for connecting with other creatives:

1. Accept that your way isn’t the best way. Leave your ego at the door.
2. Step out of your comfort zone and go introduce yourself at local meet-ups.
3. Collaboration can actually be fun! It’s not like those school projects where you do all the work… promise.
4. Reach out to that creative that inspires you. A community can be online! That’s the beauty of our world today.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
To find encouragement, inspiration, and real stories from real women, please visit our website: CrownedChics.com.

For the social media queens out there, let us shine some honesty and light onto your feed by following us @CrownedChics on Instagram and liking us on Facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: CrownedChics.com / CharnstromCaptures.com (Photography)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crownedchics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrownedChics
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrownedChics

Image Credit:
Nikki Charnstrom, Charnstrom Captures Photography

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.