In the Studio with Artist Nia Parks

Today, we’re going In the Studio with artist Nia Parks. Nia’s artwork is currently on display in the Chesapeake Arts Center’s Her Ideas, Her Stories: Women Artists Gallery exhibit.

Nia Parks is an explorer. Exploring the nuances of her mediums as well as herself through the creation of her artwork. She seeks out the interaction of multiple materials and believes in the  natural creation process. Her work is fluid and organic, utilizing color and line work to give it movement. Driven by her faith and inspired by her surroundings, Nia creates to foster hope. 

Here’s Nia talking about her art, process and experience...

How would you describe your style of work?

multi-media illustrations and abstracted drawings 

Tell me about your favorite medium.

One of my favorite mediums is cyanotype. I enjoy the way the process allows for layer of details before even beginning the illustration

What characteristic(s) about your personality shows through your art?

I am highly detailed and enjoy finding the nuances in life. More so, my work reflects my spirituality. It speaks to who I know myself to be as an heir in the Kingdom of God.  

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I am from Baltimore and my experiences in Baltimore come through much of my work. My love for art was formed from the creativity of the city: the community art programs, murals, museums, etc. 

How have your life experiences influenced your aesthetic style?

Growing up with financial challenges forced me to use unconventional mediums and to waste nothing in my art. Moreover, my sense of fashion began with “hand-me downs” and “highwaters” that absolutely had me be creative in my problem solving and desire for my clothes to express my personality. The refinement of both styles has largely been about the balance between chicness or minimalism and high detail through texture and color. 

What's your biggest barrier to being a female artist? How do you address it?

The biggest barrier has been the framing of my artistic voice and that a woman’s artwork is not just for women. 

Do your works comment on contemporary social or political issues; if so, how?

In underlying ways, absolutely. My hope is that my work reframes many social issues to be viewed as spiritual issues.

What are your biggest motivations?

My biggest motivations are the hope and freedom I have found in God and my desire to share that freedom with the world. 

How do you market yourself and your work?

I haven’t quite found the hang of marketing myself, however; I believe it is my authenticity and transparency that draws people into my work. And I believe that the corresponding poetry that has recently become a signature with my work also markets my work; it gives people an opportunity to go deeper into the underlying meanings of the work. 

When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?

God and myself. It is something so freeing about verbalizing my train of thought openly. And God truly has become my best friend; He gives the best advice. 

What are you working on at the moment? 

I am currently working on a poetry book with corresponding artwork

What did you have to develop, try or learn to create your artwork?

I have been in art programs as far back as I can remember my childhood but undergrad opened my artistic style to more artistic processes that have refined my work. And my short time after undergrad has allowed me space to understand my why. 

How do you prepare to start a new piece? (do you have a ritual, do research, sketch it out, talk it out…)

Much of my work flows from my personal time with God and personal bible study. The reflections and understandings He gives in those times spark me to form a concept to be shared. This either leads to writing or the sketch of an illustration. 

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The beauty of expression and sharing myself to prompt someone I don’t know to mediate or ponder on a matter important to all

Hal Gomer Gallery Hours: 

Monday-Thursday 10:00am-6:00pm

Saturday 10am-1pm ( starting on January 15, 2022)

*Visitors are required to call ahead to reserve a time to view the exhibit. Please call CAC’s main office at 410-636-6597 during our business hours Monday - Thursday, 10:00 am-6:00pm to reserve a date and time. Visitors will be checked in upon arrival and masks are required to enter the gallery and CAC building.