Meet Nicelle Davis | poet, writer, performance artist and instructor

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

Hi Nicelle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was born a poet and have lived my life accordingly. Poems are a biproduct of being acutely aware of the world around us—to be in constant translation of time and place. It also allows for surreal
dreamscapes to interject themselves into narratives. I often find strangeness in the most ordinary
things, and this offers a fresh perspective on a multitude of issues.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The core of my work is a belief that art and community can transcend traditional categorizations and encompass a wide range of artistic practices. I believe that the boundaries between art forms are
fluid. Artists who draw inspiration from and collaborate across multiple disciplines to influence and
can enrich each other’s creative process and practice.

I have a background in method acting, which brings a unique approach to my process and work.
This background leads me to methodically dive into a variety of subjects, channeling emotions, and
experiences, and working to authentically portray them through performance, video, poetry and
prose. I conduct extensive research to delve into the lives and stories of my subjects, seeking a deep
understanding that enables me to create art that not only showcases technical skills but also elicits a
visceral response from the viewer.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I feel like being quiet right now. Normally, I’m quite active and would suggest many places to go and people to see. But, right now, I’d invite one or two people to come to the Antelope Valley, where the sky is vast enough to make you forget you’re standing on the ground. We could watch groups of tumbleweed dominate the roads with their big movements. We could sit beneath a Joshua Tree and read. Perhaps we could briefly share a passage from Ada Limon’s “The Hurting Kind.” Maybe spend a couple of hours writing while listening to the sounds of crows and rabbits building nests.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A shoutout goes to three ongoing writing groups that have been instrumental in my writing:

Firstly, to Eric Morago’s poetry class, which includes Terri Niccum, “P.K.”, Elaine Mintzer, Jeremy Ra, Kathleen Goldman, Kristen Baum, Patti Scruggs, Rosie Freed, Aruni Wijesinghe, Alexandra Umlas, and Julissa Cardenas. Their constructive feedback and creative energy have been invaluable. They have helped me hone my craft and inspired me to push beyond my limits.

Secondly, to my Wednesday night writing group, which includes Hanna Pachman, Jeremy Ra, Bill Ratner, and Alison Turner. Their dedication to the art of writing and willingness to share experiences have made me love writing as if it were an entirely new enterprise.

Finally, I’d like to thank Carmen Fought, who has held our writing group, the 6ers, together. This is such an important group to me; I think I would have stopped writing for publication if it were not for these poets and their keen feedback and encouragement.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to collaborators. I’m forever grateful for those who are willing to collaborate with me on projects. I think Cheryl Gross and Anthony Sannazzaro are creative forces, and I could not create the way I do without them.

I’m grateful to the MOAH of Lancaster, which just sponsored a major project I have coming up this year.

I’m grateful to AIR, an art nonprofit I help out with in the desert.

I’m grateful to my press, Moon Tide.

I’m grateful.

Website: nicelledavis.net

Instagram: Nicelle_Davis

Linkedin: Nicelle Davis

Facebook: Nicelle Nicelle

Youtube: Plants Painting and Poetry