Meet Nikki Coffelt PhD | artist + evolutionary consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Coffelt PhD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, how do you think about risk?
Evolution is impossible without risk and sacrifice . My life has been one calculated risk after the next . For better and worse — it’s how I got this far . I’ve always had a very strong connection to my intuition (although this was severed during my years as an addict) The past 15 years of healing have deepened this gift to include instinctual intelligence (from my body and the earth) — but I’ve pretty much always been a quick, decisive person with a lot of stereotypically masculine energy — which has been criticized and misinterpreted as “impulsive” My work as an artist is edgy, confrontational and provocative so I tend to both trigger and inspire people . That will always be the cost and risk of showing up unapologetically in one’s full expression .

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The tantric philosopher and mystic, Osho, once said “Baby — my whole work is to confuse you” and I feel like this pretty much sums up my work as an artist . I approach my studio practice and expression as a zen koan — this kind of incantation is meant to catalyze a descent from the mind (and an unhealthy/limiting attachment to one’s conditioning) . I’m a wild child and feminist — sovereignty is something I’ve had to fight for since I was a kid . And while these aspects of my identity have morphed and (thankfully) matured over the years, I use my art to amplify what I feel has been relegated in our culture — to make a statement . We live in a society where the suppression / repression of emotions is celebrated — this is contributing to the existential crisis crushing so many people right now . Emotions are what connect us to our humanity . I always tell people who feel “intimidated” by abstract art — I just paint feelings . There is fire, passion … eros … life force … behind my art . I also use a lot of black to suggest the unseen / ineffable elements that fuel me — this creates dynamic contrast, which is autobiographical . I want my complexity and audacity as an objectified and exploited queer woman to be distinctive in my voice as an artist . This is why my brand is called, “Emboldened Expressions”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fave brunch : SQIRL and Gjusta
Fave tacos : LOQUI
Fave lesbian bars : Honey’s + Ruby Fruit
Fave place to catch the sunset before hitting Nobu Malibu for a special occasion : Billionaire’s beach
Fave ecstatic dance / sober rave spot : Venice beach, Last sunday of the month with DJ SHIVARASA
Fave apertivo hour : Eataly LA
Fave exhibition du jour : Jean-Michel Basquiat : King Pleasure (Jean-Michel Basquiat) (Jean-Michel Basquiat)
Fave rooftop pool : Soho Warehouse

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My eldest aunt has been a very patient, loving and wise advisor my whole life. And I (literally) get it from my mama — she was all SOUL .  May she continue to rest in peace. Pops – the OG badass – modeled and instilled a crazy work ethic early in life ! City Honors (my middle/high school) was a key catalyst in encouraging creativity, critical thinking and self-governance — the phenomenal teachers but also all of the friends I made there – who still feel like family ! The Animas Valley Institute for keeping the flames of ancient rites of passage burning. And I’ve studied under too many amazing mentors/healers and been carried by so many magical friendships over the years but … Tobi Fishel, Linda Cherry and my little cousin (Nelly) deserve an EXTRA special shout out today! I wouldn’t have made it through so many psychospiritual portals without their love, wisdom and support.

Website: emboldenedexpressions.com

Instagram: emboldenedexpressions

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sfpsychologistnlcoffeltphd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emboldenedexpressions

Image Credits
Hai Truong, Maximiliano Kelsch, Nikki Coffelt