Often, artist A. Nichel sits looking at her picturesque view of Birmingham, Alabama while painting in acrylic.
Her choice of subjects includes Kobe Bryant, Ricky Smiley, Lil Wayne, Empress AK, a young Michael Jackson, Nipsey Hustle, Cardi B and her daughter, Kulture, Steve and Majorie Harvey, Elton John, and Bob Marley to name a few. A. Nichel as a person and artist is about positivity and light.
Nichel gets her inspiration from everywhere, a building, abillboard, hermother, her sister, people in general. A. Nichelstressed she gets inspiration from all people. When it came to painting Cardi B, A. Nichel smiled stating, she loves Cardi B, specifically for her authenticity. One particular portrait of Cardi B completed by A. Nichel caught the attention of the multi-platinum artist, resulting in Cardi’s high approval of A. Nichel’sawe-inspiring talent.
A. Nichel further explained that Cardi Band so many, including family, are muses of A. Nichel’s greatest works. Even Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson have take nnotice of A. Nichel’s talent and ability to capture the likeliness and life energy of people and scenes in her paintings.
A Nichel’s notable, self-entitled “billboard” style is her signature feature which captures the attention of her many followers in Birmingham and nationwide. In addition, A. Nichel’s technique,using solely her fingers, creates an appearance that is natural, soft, and lively with the warmth and confidence of each portrait’s personality A. Nichel portrays.
In many ways, A. Nichel is an artist leading her own path to notoriety and appreciation, making her an American artist creating her own genre.
A. Nichel noted that she has been painting all her life, and she felt great achievement the day she was able to make her passion a business, creating custom-designed artwork. A. Nichel is not limited to portraits; she also paints scenery and skylines. A. Nichel has completed five murals and is currently working on her sixth. A. Nichel has also been an integral part of the Waco Virtual Art Gallery 2020- the first annual event of the organization.
A. Nichel smiled stating she can complete an entire painting in one hour; however, for more complex works, she prided herself on completing paintings of different sizes and complexity in two weeks or less- and business is booming for the aesthetic tycoon. A. Nichel provided sound advice for young artists planning to go into the business. Otherwise, you believe your Plan A will fail.”
Her advice was rooted in a conversation she had with comedian, Gary Owens. Owens told A. Nichel, “Always stick with your Plan A. Never have a Plan B.
Otherwise, you believe your Plan A will fail.”
A. Nichel further noted, “As long as you are led by God, your process will flow. You got to take the good with the bad. What’s kept me going is seeing people value what I do.”
In the beginning, A. Nichel was honing her craft. A friend was impressed with her work and asked if A. Nichel would paint her a picture and she would pay. From that point, A Nichel’sprofessional journey not only as an artist but as a businesswoman began. Once A. Nichel caught the attention of a club owner who wanted a Kendrick Lamar piece she finished, A. Nichel knew she had a future to progress as an artist bringing joy to others, and her talents were appreciated.
A. Nichel stated that watching herself evolve as an artist is what she finds most pleasurable and most inspiring to push her forward. In the future, A. Nichel plans to teach and mentor students of all ages, backgrounds, and educational programs in which art can be an escape, enjoyment, and an educational tool.
Currently, A. Nichelis placing her art in a selection of galleries. One such gallery is the Trap Music Museum in Atlanta. A. Nichel added to her advice in life and achievement a quote from Denzel Washington, “Without commitment, you’ll never start. Without consistency, you’ll never finish.” Through her success, A. Nichel strives tocontinue expanding and inspiring others.
