Meet Jodie Niss | Art teacher and Artist

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

Hi Jodie, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Showing my students how expression through art is more important than painting like a photograph. I try to help my students find joy in creating. Creating has always been so important to me, and I want to show people that anybody can do it in their own way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In my art, my goal is to create a connection with my viewers. Some images are funny, some scary, some sexy, and some sad.

My art is an extension of everything I think about and relate to. It’s my voice and my mind. I needed it to express myself my whole life. I find writing difficult and sometimes talking too. I’m dyslexic and have ADHD, so school and expressing myself was a large challenge my whole life. Neurotypical ways of life were challenging and suppressive. So I painted them. I painted the normal and the seemingly odd. I found visual language to be a beautiful way to express myself fully. But it is also a vulnerable place to be.

In my frustrations with the way the educational system is, I learned that there are many types of intelligence and ways to learn and do things. So my love of teaching art takes that approach of finding an individual’s way of learning rather than there being one way of doing things. I help my students find love in creating. Making art makes many vulnerable. Being hyper-intuitive gives me the ability to help people find joy in art making. It’s more than just making a painting, it is about self-awareness, self love, and letting go of fear.

I get great satisfaction from both teaching and making art. I get to help people find the joy I have.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the current art seen in Brooklyn, Chinatown, and the LES. I would start with food and treats around Dimes Square, then the local galleries, like My Pet Ram and Hashimoto Contemporary. I teach at the Educational Alliance right there on E Broadway, so I love hanging out in Seward Park. If it is the summer I love the free events at Lincoln Center, swimming at the Rockaways, and Hamilton Fish Swimming Pool. If it’s raining, I love museums with an espresso martini intermission. It is important to take breaks when looking at big exhibitions. It can be overwhelming. Truthfully there are so many wonderful things to do in NY, it is hard to mention them all and even harder to do them all! I love supporting friends and seeing local shows and performances. So I guess a lot of what I would do, depends on what NY has to offer that week. But there is also nothing like cooking a good meal at home for friends and having a small dinner party.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to send a shout out to my good friends who understand how hard it is to work extra hours and not have the time to spend with them as much as I like. Those who support me and have helped me along the way. There love and encouragement has meant everything to me.

Instagram: jodienissart and jodieniss_studio

Image Credits
The pic of me in my studio is by Allison Brooks.
All the other pics are of my art.

Untitled
oil paint on wood panel