Meet Tessa Nicole of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tessa Nicole

Hi Tessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Tessa Nicole began painting for the first time in 2015 & has been working solely with palette knife since January of 2017. Beginning with oils & self- taught from the very beginning, Tessa has remained 100% original in all of their techniques, applications, & styles. In July of 2020, Tessa officially developed the original style – Textured Pointillism. Working solely with one palette knife, Tessa has incorporated their modern twist on the Post-Impressionist movement of Pointillism, giving it new life. With a passion for traveling, but an innate love for their home in Arizona, Tessa draws inspiration from places near, far, & only in the mind…

“My life has been influenced by The Arts from as early as I can remember. I was always artistic growing up, but strictly in the musical sense of the definition. From 8 years old to 17, I was pursuing the dream of being a singer, composer, & pianist.
Never would I have guessed that one day, my passion for music would morph into a passion for visual arts. February of 2015, I recorded my song “Painted Life”, knowing a music video was going to follow. Bouncing idea after idea, I knew that the only thing promising to grab attention would be to paint in the video. Having never painted (but believing I somehow had it in me), I decided to pick up a brush and teach myself.
From my first oil painting attempt on February 15th, up until March 19th when the video was recorded, I had successfully taught myself to paint in oils and was able to live paint in the music video.
From that moment on, oil painting became the center of my life & something I could not live without. Art genuinely saved my life; without the influence & outlet of music & painting, I would not be standing where I am today.
Seeing the impact of creative expression gives my life purpose in inspiring others to partake, as well as encourages me to continuously bring joy through my own artwork.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“I’ve found that the majority of my struggles were brought about by my own pushback toward the flow of life. There has been, of course, a great deal of hard work & dedication from the very start, but it has always been easy for me to put the time/energy into the process of growing as an artist. I truly believe that if you remain open-minded, enthusiastic, & original, you will be rewarded.
A major challenge, that can present itself in the first few years of being a self-sustaining artist, is the inconsistency of income. The World of Art is a living, breathing thing. It is constantly fluctuating, which can create a rather unpredictable flow of sales. This is why I believe it’s so important to find ways to accept & honor whatever path the universe is pointing me toward. As soon as I start believing that I know better (or on the opposite end: begin to let the “imposter syndrome” kick in), the universe is going to let me know that I’m getting in my own way.
Find your community, find a mentor, accept help, & always be open to change.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an Impressionist oil painter, inspired by nature but heavily influenced by whimsy. Working solely with one palette knife, I create in a style called “Textured Pointillism”, which I developed in 2020.
My goal as an artist, like most others, is to stand out & make an impact. After years of trial & error as a self-taught artist, I finally discovered my own style that is both recognizable & still something brand new.
Pointillism is a post-Impressionist technique, developed by Georges Seurat & Paul Signac in the late 1800s. It is a style recognized by most, but seen of very few artists in our current times.
I am extremely proud of my modern twist on the style & cannot wait to continue sharing Textured Pointillism with the world!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The Fine Art Festival community was the greatest influence in my artistic career. It brought me friendship, mentorship, & the camaraderie necessary to make it in the World of Art. Being an artist can often feel like a lonely game (& some even find it competitive), but not if you surround yourself with likeminded individuals who work hard for the upholding of the creative community.
Apply to Art Shows! Get your work in front of people & learn how to share what brings you joy; it will be the most rewarding experience. It will also prepare you for when you are ready to begin working with a gallery. I learned so much in my years of doing shows & am so grateful for what they taught me.
I have a laundry list of advice for artists wanting to get into the Fine Art Festival scene, so please don’t hesitate to reach out! (& check out www.zapplication.org to see what shows are around you.)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tessanicoleart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tessanicoleart (@tessanicoleart)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessanicoleart