Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Sullivan.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Well. Drawing was always my favorite game as a child. Power Rangers, Aliens, Tree Frogs, intensely muscular men (Hahaha). And I was better at it that other kids. So that talent aided me through school, drawing plant/animal cell models, science fair posters etc. Anything I lacked academically, I somewhat made up for with creativity. I applied to MassArt on a whim, a bit reluctant to dive head-first into art 100% time, which is where I eventually went.
I studied illustration to experiment with any medium that I wanted to within the clear structure of an assignment and goal. I progressed from dry media to watercolor, to acrylic, and eventually landed in oil.
I’ve now done illustration work for national campaigns, start-ups, and local publications—Boston Magazine, The Boston Phoenix (RIP), The Weekly Dig, etc. as well as participated in a bunch of group and solo shows in the surrounding Boston areas. Last October I had the opportunity to do my first mural on the ground of the Allston footbridge as part of the Chroma line Art Walk, and am currently living/working as an artist in Somerville.
Please tell us about your art.
In my work, I love narrative, nature, figure, and nostalgia. My nostalgia revolves around things like videogames, pixels, catching frogs and exploring the woods. I pull from those feelings and try to pass on a general sense of wonder, fantasy, and curiosity.
It’s hard to find commonality in my work as a result of my quickly shifting interests and inspirations. Recently, I painted an apartment portrait on an isometric hexagonal grid, illustrated, designed and animated all components of a fake cereal called “Shrimp-O’s”, designed a vintage-style Zelda-themed toile pattern, laser-etched a bunch of rocks, and painted a JC Leyendecker recreation onto the back of a jean jacket.
This past month I was invited to contribute to ARTcetera, an auction to benefit the AIDS Action Committee in Boston. For this invitation, I created a short series of work using a specific rabbit shape that I didn’t yet feel finished with (after having used it only once before as a donation piece for a motorcycle show in May). I wanted to create within the shape, and in contrast to the disease, a healthy, lush, beautiful inner-system with the rabbit being the host. The first painting was the most challenging of all of my execution concepts: an aqua-colored glass terrarium with flowers growing inside of it. Once the deadline was extended, I had time for the other concepts. The second was a simplified floral vascular system, showing the same theme in a neatly designed way, almost like a pattern, and the third attempts a more abstract approach to the same idea of a vibrant interior with loose brush strokes layered on top of each other, abstractly symbolizing petals and leaves.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook for Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, for those in commercial fields. And keep art in perspective. It’s hard to find the creative energy when you’re working another job. I just pared down a lot of my other responsibilities to focus more on art making. It does indeed come with financial concerns, but feeling too exhausted to make work is much worse.
Also, never be shy to aim high when pricing, but also, always negotiate if possible. One time I quoted a job that was too expensive, so they politely declined and revealed that their budget was a tenth of my quote. I told them I could work with them if they could revisit their own budget, and they came back to me with 60% of my asking price and an option to do 25% less than the initial scope. It was a really great, eye-opening experience about standing up for yourself and not settling because you may or may not be broke. Because truthfully, you’re probably broke like I was.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website is currently under construction, but my Instagram is @nicksullivan_art, also anyone can visit anytime! My studio building is the Miller Street Artist Studios building in Somerville. People can support my work by buying me coffee, buying my work, or just hitting me up for illustration/fine art, or collaborations!
Contact Info:
- Address: Nick Sullivan 11 Miller Street, studio #201
Somerville, MA 02143 - Website: (under construction)
- Phone: 5083616124
- Email: nicksullivanart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicksullivan_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickSullivanArt/
Image Credit:
Nick Sullivan
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