In Conversation with Nikita Rosalind Campbell

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Nikita Rosalind Campbell graduated from Pinellas County Center for Arts specializing in visual arts. She continues making art whilst balancing a career in cosmetology and the demands of family life. Observing her work, I’m glad we’re able to share her talent as a painter. Nikita’s work is abundant with structural depth and vibrancy, executed with technical skill and the use of visibly arresting colors. We had the opportunity to speak to Nikita about her work.

Nikita, thanks for taking the Ome to speak to us about your amazing work. How and when did you decide to fully embrace art as a career?

You know those little “about me” questions they ask kids in elementary school? Under the “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I always wrote the artist. For me, it was something I knew from a very young age. Of course, it’s been a winding creative path that has all led here to where I am now.

Which artist has been the most influential on your career and why?

I always find this question difficult. I’d say the “nobody” artists, the artists I’ve met over my life that just create because they inherently have to. Social media has been a great tool to connect with amazing creators all over the world that inspired me greatly. I grew up going to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg FL. And when I was an angsty teenager I dove into Frida Kahlo’s work and life, reading her journals, and using life and pain for creation resonated with me.

You graduated from Pinellas County Center for Arts in Florida. Please share your experience there and to what extent it influenced your work.

I started elementary school at a magnet school for the Arts. My focus there through high school was visual art, but music, dance, drama, technical theater, and others were offered. The importance of education to not just be academia is detrimental to the growth of all children and adults. I got to experience and do all types of art from photography and developing film, throwing on a wheel, welding, figure, and still-life drawing. All of those teachers as well as my classmates over all those years were huge influences on me.

You’re inspired by the divine feminine in the female form, sexuality, nature, imperfections, and anything unconventional. What draws you to these particular themes?

Life and all its complexities led me to where my style is now. Everything about living and life inspires me, life is art.

I’m drawn to your ‘Babes’ series, which includes wonderful paintings of Billie Holiday, and Billie Eilish. Please tell us more about this series.

Because who does love a babe?! Someone that creates. Empties their soul. Is empowered in their sense of self. Who is vulnerable. I’m inspired to paint them. People ask a lot why I don’t paint men, and trust me there are many “babely” men out there so maybe I will one day… one day.

Your ‘ Hey Honey’ painting catches my eye, due to its structural depth, use of color, and vibrancy. Please tell us more about this particular painting.

Well, thanks! I actually have a number of paintings that are a part of my “Hey Honey” series. There’s something very pleasing about a lady with some honey 😉 It is satisfying to paint the drips and those super white highlights it creates. I include my signature “Waves” in the background. Which represents energy to me, and everything is just energy.

Can you share with us your creative process and your choice of materials?

My creative process is a bit chaotic. I do minimal planning which sometimes works for me. Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s like 80% intuition 20% planning. I use mostly acrylic paint, which use to be out of cost necessity and fear of oil paint that has morphed into a love of how they work for me and my art. The process of layering and building with shade and color instead of just worrying about blending is how my work comes to life. I do love oils and do use both in some paintings. I will use everything from very low-cost paints to ‘sell a kidney’ paints. I’m not a paintbrush snob either, give me a synthetic flat brush and I’m happy.

Please tell us more about your amazing T-Shirts and the process of making them. Do you always have a design in mind or do you create on impulse?

I started creating my hand-painted tees in August of 2020, a year ago almost to the day! The song “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals was a big inspiration for them actually. It’s just that vibe. They are art that you wear, so I create what I feel like, at that moment, none are the same. I use fabric paint to create them and they are washable.

To date, what would you say have been your biggest challenges as an artist?

I guess what every human struggles with, self-doubt, negative thinking, the anxiety of failure. Art has never let me down though so we have to push through all that and keep going.

What advice would you give to young artists embarking on their careers?

Create as much as possible. Also, encourage and support other artists around you, it will keep you inspired to continue and inspire others to as well.

You’re exhibiting and selling work, and have successfully garnered a significant following on social media. What has been your most satisfying achievement as an artist, and why?

I think just to be able to create from my soul and it reaches others and brings joy. Nothing greater than that.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve always got multiple things going at once. One of those is a series called “Eyes of Consciousness.” Where I’ve been diving into a specific color and a feeling of that color. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

Where can our readers find out more about you?

Instagram @Nikitarosalind, that’s where I mainly show up to date happenings, share behind the scenes, art process, fun stuff. I know I’m too old, Tiktok (@Nikitarosalind) has been a fun way to create and share my work. My shop on big cartel https://nikitarosalind.bigcartel.com/. Thanks!

About Author

David Emmanuel Noel

David Emmanuel Noel is an avid blogger, film fanatic, art enthusiast, music lover, and theatergoer. He is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and PR consultant who has been involved in several music events and visual art exhibitions at venues such as the Kennedy Center Washington DC, Bernie Grant Arts Centre London, the Landmark Arts Building New York, and Whole 9 Gallery in Culver City, California. He has worked closely with institutes, professional bodies, and agencies such as the Royal Institute of British Architects, New York Mayor’s Office, CAMBA- the New York-based agency, the NSPCC, and several London Boroughs on projects supporting the environmental and therapeutic benefits of the arts. He is based in London and New York.

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