We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Buffett and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to be about the power that Art has and the power that Art holds in both the personal and public dimensions of life and our world. My legacy is beauty, “the beauty way”, the path and capacity beauty holds to impact the collective consciousness and elevate it to higher states of awareness and potential. When I say “beauty” I am speaking of everything and anything that invokes joy and energizes the senses. Beauty is an invitation for connection, Art is the vehicle that carries us into deeper experiences of connection with each other and our planet. What I want people to remember about me is that I valued the importance of speaking my truth and sharing my passion and expression with the world.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is about weaving the world of spirit into the physical world of matter. What excites me is utilizing the natural elements, creating with nature, incorporating the heat of the sun, the morning dew, the wind and space of nature itself to effect and interplay with the work. My paintings are an esoteric offering and expression intended to invoke and deepen our connection to the spiritual and the sacred. Im most proud of my recent work over this past year through the pandemic. The work reveals the power that beauty and creation have to overcome hardships and bring forth hope and inspiration. I got to where I am professionally today with a lot of help from my friends and family but mostly from my own devotion and commitment to myself and creativity. I wouldn’t say it was easy but I would say that it’s mostly about showing up. As long as we show up to the studio, to the blank page, to the discomfort, to the doubt, to the excitement, to the joy, to the authentic feeling and engage with whatever is there for us to explore, we are giving ourselves permission to succeed and permission to be an artist. The most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is this: ” If you aren’t in love with what you are doing, why and how can you expect anyone else to be?” in the words of a professor from my MFA program at The San Francisco Art Center. What I want people to know about me and my brand and story is that Art is a story of the soul. Art is Life and everything is alive and important. We are all constantly learning from each other and the greatest honor is to inspire and be inspired by each other. My brand is about the mystical and magical power Art has to connect us to nature and to the divine within ourselves and each other.
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 would start out in Topanga, grab an amazing coffee or matcha and panini from Water Lily Cafe. Then I would hop right next door to my favorite shop in LA, Wüm. I love all things of magic and this place is a true gem full of apothecary and yummy housewares that make your everyday gorgeously sacred.
Then I would go across the street to my next favorite shop where I have my work installed, Moonastar. Moonastar is full of handmade clothing, vintage, teas and beauty elixirs.
I would then venture over to Venice and galavant to Abbot Kinney to check out all of the amazing shops and outdoor market area, grab a vegan bite from The Butchers Daughter and shop the local wares.
For dinner, I would go to Crossroads, a phenomenal vegan restaurant that will blow your mind open!
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 want to dedicate my shout out to my greatest teacher and advocate, my Mother, Mary Buffett. She is an amazing, author, speaker and trailblazer. She showed me the way towards my own power and success!
www.marybuffett.com
Website: www.nicolebuffett.com
Instagram: @nicolebuffettart
Twitter: @BuffettNicole
Facebook: Nicole Buffett
Youtube: Spirit Coins