Nic in her painting pyjamas

Nic Kirkman is an emerging artist and creativity coach. While art’s been a hobby/talent from the age of 4, she waited until nearly 40 before really believing this could be her work, and committing to it in Jan 2014. She is originally from Yorkshire, but has been in Australia since 2012 and loves it here.

In her previous lives (back in the old country) she had been a Physicist, University Tutor (teaching study skills to Dyslexic and Dyspraxic students), and (before realising that art is a real job) had returned to University to study Architecture. While that last bit didn’t go so well, it did set her up for a career in art and helping others on their creative journeys, especially if it involves overcoming perfectionism. Now, she’s very involved at Peninsula Arts Society, where she teaches, learns, and has had a stint on the committee and as their newsletter editor.

She has many catchphrases and silly voices, believing that’s the best way to get serious work under pomposity’s radar. Both her art-work and her coaching is all about joy and making increasingly better mental health choices (with the possible exception of her own collecting and hoarding of art materials). Nic owes much gratitude to her friends, students and former teachers for their support and wisdom. A special thank you to both Catherine Hamilton and Marilyn Richards.

 

#anartistslifeforme

Adventures in colouring in XD

<p>Tonight at social painting… there was this one! Loosening up… mostly. <br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6OFNHDGVC/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6OFNHDGVC/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

Tonight at social painting… there was this one! Loosening up… mostly.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6OFNHDGVC/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 170 weeks ago
<p>So… these have been falling out of my pencils lately… odd even for my moody birds… wonder what adventures they want to go on  / what they have to teach…?<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvtBQ4D18B/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvtBQ4D18B/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

So… these have been falling out of my pencils lately… odd even for my moody birds… wonder what adventures they want to go on / what they have to teach…?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvtBQ4D18B/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 174 weeks ago
<p>Very excited to say this is happening soon  @ryazanoff_gallery (in August) and am included with this  incredible group of fellow artists @jennycroomart @wandercreations @carolefosterart @anitaf.josefsson @davies.rhondaart @teaercolesart @nic_kirkman  @rozottoart @lornagerard @nemirovskya<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvsUFMjSFL/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvsUFMjSFL/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

Very excited to say this is happening soon @ryazanoff_gallery (in August) and am included with this incredible group of fellow artists @jennycroomart @wandercreations @carolefosterart @anitaf.josefsson @davies.rhondaart @teaercolesart @nic_kirkman @rozottoart @lornagerard @nemirovskya
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvsUFMjSFL/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 174 weeks ago
<p>Last Thursday zoom class for the term… they let me play… and I let them play… i swear every lesson feels as freeing and as fun as a no uniform day … yippee!!!<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQfE1pmDPF1/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CQfE1pmDPF1/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

Last Thursday zoom class for the term… they let me play… and I let them play… i swear every lesson feels as freeing and as fun as a no uniform day … yippee!!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQfE1pmDPF1/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 175 weeks ago
<p>Today’s play date with the paints… apparently she’s finished… looks like she might have been finished half an hour earlier… still… she’s a pretty happy piece!<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcvH30D8K6/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcvH30D8K6/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

Today’s play date with the paints… apparently she’s finished… looks like she might have been finished half an hour earlier… still… she’s a pretty happy piece!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcvH30D8K6/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 175 weeks ago
<p>My play date with my paints this morning… and a bit of charcoal… apparently… it’s finished now. <br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcuqBnDky2/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcuqBnDky2/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

My play date with my paints this morning… and a bit of charcoal… apparently… it’s finished now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcuqBnDky2/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 175 weeks ago
<p>So… all these acrylic paintings are now oil paintings… could we invent a hash tag along the lines of: “when in doubt  slap on another layer”? Pretending this selfish painting session gave students a new/forgiving way to work over the top of paintings that were to tight or otherwise annoying… when I doubt - glaze ! #zoomartclasses @peninsulaarts <br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQH81IwjHqx/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CQH81IwjHqx/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

So… all these acrylic paintings are now oil paintings… could we invent a hash tag along the lines of: “when in doubt slap on another layer”? Pretending this selfish painting session gave students a new/forgiving way to work over the top of paintings that were to tight or otherwise annoying… when I doubt - glaze ! #zoomartclasses @peninsulaarts
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQH81IwjHqx/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 176 weeks ago
<p>Someone said she looked like an angel so I gave her a wing… then that someone promptly added… a *sad* angel. Am increasingly wanting to turn these “moody birds” into a thing that  SERVES a purpose… makes it easier for us to make space and not feel so alone / actually feel *seen* and accepted when we’re feeling one of those difficult emotions…. and to find the dignity in a thing that you’d rather not feel… so… if you’re up for sharing… please comment/pm me… accrediting / anonymously is up to you!<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPrv120D1bl/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CPrv120D1bl/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

Someone said she looked like an angel so I gave her a wing… then that someone promptly added… a *sad* angel. Am increasingly wanting to turn these “moody birds” into a thing that SERVES a purpose… makes it easier for us to make space and not feel so alone / actually feel *seen* and accepted when we’re feeling one of those difficult emotions…. and to find the dignity in a thing that you’d rather not feel… so… if you’re up for sharing… please comment/pm me… accrediting / anonymously is up to you!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPrv120D1bl/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 178 weeks ago
<p>Would like to say today was a day for finishing painting but my subconscious only let me sign one… naughty subconscious. Nice to be back playing in oils for 3 of these. <br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPqGbtMDAQ3/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CPqGbtMDAQ3/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

Would like to say today was a day for finishing painting but my subconscious only let me sign one… naughty subconscious. Nice to be back playing in oils for 3 of these.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPqGbtMDAQ3/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 178 weeks ago
<p>(Oo… and by the end of the morning this one looked like this (and the charcoal should stay in now))<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPX-56QD1v-/?utm_medium=tumblr">https://www.instagram.com/p/CPX-56QD1v-/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>

(Oo… and by the end of the morning this one looked like this (and the charcoal should stay in now))
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPX-56QD1v-/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posted 179 weeks ago