Nika Nyoko, Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory member provides some fascinating insights into her practice and experience as figurative painter, as she responds to the questions below:
- What does success as an artist look like for you personally?
- How do you silence your inner critic?
- What are the things you wish you knew when you started out?
- Do you think art can help people connect to vital issue about our world?
What does success as an artist look like for you personally?
The interesting thing about success is that the idea of it is never constant. It shifts depending on the situation you’re in.
When I was 20, freshly graduated as an art teacher with no clear direction, I imagined that any job involving drawing would be the ultimate success. And for a while, it was — I first worked as a graphic designer in advertising, then became a freelance illustrator.
But like any coin, this one had two sides. Creating art for clients doesn’t mean freedom — you’re executing someone else’s vision, not your own. And eventually, my idea of success changed. I wanted complete creative freedom — to express only my own ideas without anyone standing over my shoulder. I left commercial art and set out on the path of an independent artist.
I often joke that I just want to be “an artist.” But people around me, even those who know how hard I work, often look confused. To them, if you can draw — you’re already an artist. But it’s not quite that simple.
Every artist is like a small business. You’re the creator, the investor, the marketer, the boss, the logistics manager — everything. And no, it’s not easy.
I don’t know why I thought I’d just sit down, draw, and everything would be fine. That’s not how it works. Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about marketing, understanding the demands of different social media platforms, recording videos, taking high-quality photos — and doing all the behind-the-scenes work that steals time away from what really matters: making art.
So, what does success look like for me now?
Short and clear:
- steady monthly income
- global recognition
- and a team of people handling everything that doesn’t involve drawing!
How do you silence your inner critic?
The truth is — you shouldn’t silence your inner critic entirely. If you get too comfortable with yourself, it’s easy to become lazy. And without effort, there’s no growth. As the saying goes, we grow through discomfort.
Of course, I’m not talking about the crushing, paralyzing inner voice that keeps you frozen in the corner — that’s not healthy. Many of us are deeply emotional, sensitive, and introverted, and sometimes that inner critic keeps us under its full control. But even then, it doesn’t have to be an enemy — it can be a tool.
Self-awareness is key. We need to observe how others react to our work, listen to feedback, study the work of fellow artists in our field, and be honest with ourselves: where are we right now, what can we improve, and where are we close to achieving mastery (if such a thing even exists)? It’s like holding up a mirror to yourself — and looking clearly.
We’re social beings, and we constantly define ourselves in relation to our environment. Often, a fierce inner judge lives in our heads — maybe inherited from childhood, maybe shaped during our education… who knows. But it’s there. And it’s not always a bad thing.
Sometimes, we just need to shut it up — and the best way is to celebrate our talent. To be grateful for the gift we’ve been given — the ability to create beauty. Surround yourself with people who love your work. Invite friends to your studio, let them praise you and enjoy your art. It works wonders — even if it only brings a small smile while you’re painting.
Personally, I’m rarely satisfied while working on a piece. I always want to add something, refine it, make it more perfect. The process never ends — there’s always something more to do. Until I get completely exhausted and set the canvas aside. And then, after a week or two (or more), when I look at it again, I’m often surprised: “Did I really make this? Did it come from my hand?” And then comes the next round of doubt: “Can I do it again?”
Sounds crazy? I’ve talked to other artists — it’s the same for them. It seems to be part of the process.
So yes — long live the inner critic! It’s part of us. We just have to learn how to tame it and use it to our advantage. I truly believe it’s the engine of progress.
What are the things you wish you knew when you started out?
Ohhh… good question! Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe if I had known everything I know now — I wouldn’t have started at all! (Just kidding… kind of.)
Ever since I began working in art, I feel like I’ve started to understand the world better — not just the art world, but the human one. Sometimes I think, “Why didn’t I know this earlier?” But the truth is, we all walk our own path. And we learn exactly what we need to learn, when we’re meant to learn it.
Sometimes I even wonder… do we take these lessons with us after death?
Do you think art can help people connect to vital issue about our world?
Absolutely — I truly believe it can.
Art has the power to speak directly to our emotions. A painting, an illustration, a song, an animated film, movie — all of these can deliver a message in a way that no statistic or dry text ever could. Art doesn’t just tell stories — it makes us feel them. And when something touches us emotionally, it stays with us. It changes us.
As I often say — art is like a can of emotions. Inside, it holds all the unspoken feelings — whether conscious or not: fears, pain, joy, hope… And when that can is opened, the viewer experiences it all at once — often without even knowing why. That’s where its true power lies.
Art can draw attention to social, environmental, psychological, and cultural issues that people might not otherwise think about. It can open conversations, evoke empathy, and inspire action.
I believe the role of the artist is not just to create something beautiful, but to be a voice, a catalyst, and sometimes even a healer — for themselves and for society.
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