Meet Nicole Tani | artist & illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Tani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think pursuing a career in the arts was something I was always meant to do. I remember my 4th-grade teacher sent me a letter after I graduated high school saying that she would always remember how I “incorporated my artistic talent into every assignment.” Growing up, I wasn’t that confident when it came to speaking in front of the class, but my visual art has always made me stand out. Later, I attended LA County High School of the Arts, where I was really able to foster my love for creating artwork.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Currently, I am about to start my third year at Pratt Institute. I am pursuing a BFA in Communications Design with an emphasis in illustration. Process-wise, my practice is largely intuitive, though I often use painting as a medium. I find it important to approach projects with a sense of curiosity and exploration to keep myself more engaged in my work. I enjoy process-based work in which I have to do some research on my part to execute an idea, whether it involves exploring parts of a city and taking photos or creating live drawings, or delving into narratives or interviews to bring light to new perspectives.
Some of my art surrounds my experience navigating the world through the lens of a first-generation Chinese American and finding ways to constantly redefine what being Asian American means to me on my own terms. I look up to Asian American artists and writers such as James Jean and Cathy Park Hong, who have made me feel seen through their work. At times it has been challenging to reflect on these complex ideas, but journaling and reading have helped me in trying to come up with visual imagery.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I highly recommend dedicating a day to gallery hopping. I like to look up galleries on galleryplatform.la and see what shows are going on. A gallery I frequently visit is Nucleus Gallery in Alhambra, which has many good restaurants nearby.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to express my appreciation for my teachers and former classmates whom I encountered at LACHSA. I would also like to thank my mother for supporting me. Her strength and resilience have inspired me endlessly.

Website: www.nicoletani.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicoletani/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletani/

Image Credits
Mia Koyama