Passion Painting (a.k.a. Nice Dress) by Angela Nivens (1992)

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Description The original is a pencil drawing done as an assignment while I attended Savannah College of Art & Design. The assignment was to tear a page from a magazine, place a related 3-D object on top of it, and draw the set up as a 'still life'. I'm flattered that many assume this is a photo at first glance, but if you look closely, you can see every pencil mark. The old paint brush I placed on this magazine photo belonged to my grandfather who also painted. The girl in the image was more akin to me and my generation, but placing my grandfather's brush there was an homage to him, and a show of gratitude for being given artistic genetics, or so it seems.

Angela Nivens, Greenville, SC
Member Since April 2008
Artist Statement Born to be an artist... the skill seems to blissfully maintain itself, even with all the unfair neglect. Inspiration is more key for me than practice. I attended SCAD in Savannah, GA, and enjoyed it but was critical of the lack of marketing education for the artist (which they probably teach now...)



I've been known to use any mediums and entertain any style - whatever it takes for the soul to emerge materially. I found a nirvana for my perfectionism in woodworking, but having a baby (first time) at age 41 humbled me. I still carve and paint wood on a smaller scale, but no more screaming equipment to wake a baby, or chop off mommy's fingers.



I've dabbled with abstract, fantasy, surrealism and inspirational art with a goal to evolve into what I call "attraction art", (as in law of attraction) and art for children's rooms as well. Kids seem so attracted to some of my work. My daughter Jade has inspired all of this, even though she often deters me from getting it done! She makes up for it by helping me determine what art really came from the heart, (calls my bluff without hesitation if it's not) and she is also very adept at deciding what is indeed attractive to the eye. Very particular, even at age 3, and can you think of an age that might be MORE honest? Jade has awakened something in me concerning all of creation, and I hope to be a positive thought-provoking influence to her, and others, in return.



For me, art is a joyful frustration, and a spiritual and physical vehicle that enables me to occasionally live and evolve in the deepest, most "real" moments of the "here and now" state. My physical health, mental health, and spiritual health all crumble if I neglect what I'm obviously born to do for too long... and yet the major challenge persists... "time and space to do it". I'm almost sure there's a reason for the struggle, just haven't figured out all of the specifics of "why". Yin/Yang. Perhaps I am to learn how to have some complete and blissful surrender at any moment's notice? Wonder what my work would look like then?