Meet Nora Simon | Artist and Explorer

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

Hi Nora, what makes you happy? Why?
I love being out in nature. Having more nature in my life was one of the biggest reasons I moved from DC to LA about 5 years ago. There’s so much to do here!

Combining nature and traveling is the ultimate experience for me. Being in a new place is one of the few times when I’m fully present in the moment. I find it so fascinating and I get completely drawn in. My brain is usually all over the place so it’s a nice break from the constant internal chatter. I just got back from a hiking trip through Arches National Park and had the most amazing time exploring and taking in the sights.

Making art is another way to get out of my own head. I listen to podcasts and completely zone out.
I recently started getting into oil and clay pastels, gouache paint, and India Ink. In fact, I’m about half way through a one hundred day challenge. The rules are simple: I have to make a new piece of art every day for one hundred days straight. This a great way to “force creativity”. You discover new ways to make things almost by accident so as not to repeat yourself. If you’re into art I definitely recommend trying it!

A few other things that make me happy are: weekend breakfasts with my boyfriend, my weekly Muay Thai and boxing lessons, and a really good matcha latte.

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.
I’ve struggled a ton over the years with the idea of making a career in the visual arts. I got a scholarship to art school and received a degree in Graphic Design. I figured that it was the most practical art degree available and I was able to get a design job quickly after graduating. I tried working as a design freelancer, working at a design firm, a non-profit, and as an in-house designer for a theatre company.

After about 5 years of this, I realized that graphic design wasn’t a great fit for me. All my creativity was being used at work and I didn’t want to make my own art anymore. I decided to leave the design world behind and try a bunch of less visually creative jobs. I worked for a bookstore in DC and then a bookstore in LA after moving to the west coast. Now I work as a loan processor for a mortgage firm in Santa Monica, which is about as uncreative as you can get. It’s a great job and one that I can leave at the door when its time to go home. This gives me the time and mental space to make tons of art and go on fun trips.

In fact, I’ve been making so much art that I’ve needed ways to keep it from piling up. My “studio” is a desk in my bedroom and there’s not a lot of storage space. A few years ago I started The Mystery Art Club which has been helping a lot with keeping things under control. Every two months the club members receive a few pieces of art in the mail. They do not get to choose what pieces they’ll receive (hence the “mystery”). I charge a small fee which covers mailing costs and new art supplies. I want to share my art with as many people as possible and this a great way to do it. If anyone’s interested in signing up they can check out the link in my Instagram profile. New members are always welcome!

At some point down the road I’d like to pursue art at a more professional level, but it isn’t the right time for me now. I know from experience how time-consuming it is to sell art, get into galleries and art shows, etc. and I’m not ready for that again yet. For now, I just want to make art and enjoy sharing it with others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Southern California is bursting with amazing things to do so it would be hard to narrow it down. Some top destination choices of mine are Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, Death Valley, Idyllwild and Big Bear Lake. Also, a scenic drive up the coast along the PCH to places like Solvang, Morro Bay and Point Lobos would be fun. Some more local spots include Point Dume, El Matador State Beach and all those great hikes in the Santa Monica mountains with amazing ocean views. For great views of the city there’s the Mulholland Scenic Overlook and of course Griffith Observatory. I also love biking on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail which goes from Santa Monica all the way down to Torrance. There’s tons of places to stop along the trail and the majority of the time you’ll have ocean views.

Oh, and there’s watching the sea lions at Marina Del Rey, eating donuts at Holey Grail Donuts in Santa Monica, visiting the Mosaic Tile House in Venice (and its lovely owners), and riding the Santa Monica Pier ferris wheel during sunset. And of course, just hanging out at the beach!

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 think overall my parents encouraged me to stay curious, which I’m sure is why I like exploring new places and trying new art mediums and techniques. Both my parents worked while I was growing up so they enrolled me in lots of after school and summer art classes to keep me out of the house. My mom was also an artist and she really wanted me to try everything I could get my hands on. I took drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, animation, printmaking, sewing and even basket weaving classes.

Also, about 10 years ago I had the opportunity to rent a studio space while living in my hometown in Maryland. I shared the space with Kathy Karlson, an amazing abstract painter who I’m still friends with today. We had the best time making stuff in our art-filled space. Over the years she’s been a great source of encouragement, especially after my parents passed. Having older people in my life who are still doing exactly what they want and thriving has been really inspirational.

My boyfriend, Sean, has also been one of my key supporters. He’s always down to explore a new place with me and go on adventures. I’m so happy to have found someone as curious as me!

And special thanks to the following folks for their friendship and help along the way: my family on the east coast, Kim, Kris and Danny Henderson, Lynn Perlik, Liza Linder, Patrick Liberty, Tony Jacobs, Jesse Livingston Watt, Angelika Südi, Mark Manson, Mimi Gibson, and the amazing people at Capitol Hill Books in DC.

Instagram: @norasimon_

Other: My other instagram profiles for things like travel and nature photos: @___nora_the_explorer___ @sky_above_sand
Mystery Art Club: https://www.patreon.com/norasimon