Nikki Matheson (Yr 11) is an art student who has already created her own online business, ‘EarsPaintedOn’. Her passion for the creative arts began throughout her childhood, as it became a way to express her ideas. However, in Year 9 a term-long hiatus ensued as she had lost her motivation to create artworks.

Eventually, Nikki started creating pieces again, which she entered in an art competition and won.

Through this experience Nikki rediscovered her motivation and enthusiasm for art. During the Year 10 careers week, the Magnetic Island resident realised that a career in art and creative skills is what she wanted to do in the future. As a result, ‘EarsPaintedOn’ was formed earlier this year; it’s a phrase she devised from her motto of “follow your own individual path in art and don’t listen to society.”

When creating artwork, Nikki believes that the main goal is to find yourself. She sees her art as ever-changing. More recently, Nikki has become an artist who portrays messages on global issues such as climate change through her work.

One of her favourite paintings is an expressive yet serious image that depicts the uncertainty of what will happen in the future because of global warming, as shown by the dying coral and sea creatures.

While it is a struggle to keep up to date with her studies and practicing art, Nikki always finds time to create artworks as it is a way for her to handle the stress of schoolwork. “It’s a messy process of prioritising what’s more important,” she said.

Nikki believes that other young, emerging artists can start their careers in art by posting their artwork online for open critique. By doing so, it allows the artist to handle criticism and improve their art from these comments. Finally, for those who are passionate in art, like Nikki Matheson, her final piece of advice is to: “Keep practicing, keep creating and express yourself through paper. Even keep ‘bad’ artworks that you can reflect on in the future.”

Nikki Matheson (Yr 11) is an art student who has already created her own online business, ‘EarsPaintedOn’. Her passion for the creative arts began throughout her childhood, as it became a way to express her ideas. However, in Year 9 a term-long hiatus ensued as she had lost her motivation to create artworks.

Eventually, Nikki started creating pieces again, which she entered in an art competition and won.

Through this experience Nikki rediscovered her motivation and enthusiasm for art. During the Year 10 careers week, the Magnetic Island resident realised that a career in art and creative skills is what she wanted to do in the future. As a result, ‘EarsPaintedOn’ was formed earlier this year; it’s a phrase she devised from her motto of “follow your own individual path in art and don’t listen to society.”

When creating artwork, Nikki believes that the main goal is to find yourself. She sees her art as ever-changing. More recently, Nikki has become an artist who portrays messages on global issues such as climate change through her work.

One of her favourite paintings is an expressive yet serious image that depicts the uncertainty of what will happen in the future because of global warming, as shown by the dying coral and sea creatures.

While it is a struggle to keep up to date with her studies and practicing art, Nikki always finds time to create artworks as it is a way for her to handle the stress of schoolwork. “It’s a messy process of prioritising what’s more important,” she said.

Nikki believes that other young, emerging artists can start their careers in art by posting their artwork online for open critique. By doing so, it allows the artist to handle criticism and improve their art from these comments. Finally, for those who are passionate in art, like Nikki Matheson, her final piece of advice is to: “Keep practicing, keep creating and express yourself through paper. Even keep ‘bad’ artworks that you can reflect on in the future.”