Today we’d like to introduce you to Nems Schwerzmann.
Hi Nems, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a Denver-based artist who specializes in realistic nature-inspired paintings. Most of my work incorporates layers of resin throughout the layers of paint to create depth and shadows within the piece. However, recently I have been trying to get my foot in the door of the mural world! I dream of seeing my art big and bold in the city of Denver.
I grew up in Upstate New York. My childhood was filled with summers snorkeling for treasure in the St Lawerence River and winters sledding down snow-covered hills. My sister and I followed our dad’s passion for music, but I found myself more drawn towards my cooking and art classes. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college at SUNY Oswego where a TA encouraged me to declare Art as my major. I was too afraid of becoming a “starving artist” so I chose to major in Anthropology but declared a minor in Studio Art. I learned so much in my one art class per semester, and now almost 10 years later I find myself still thinking back to certain skills I learned and breakthroughs I experienced during that time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s not always sunshine and butterflies being an artist, despite those being some of my favorite things to paint. I would say my biggest obstacle is getting out of my own way. I have always been a huge procrastinator and it is so hard to break out of that cycle. Being my own boss means that I have to force myself out of my comfort zone on a weekly basis. That could be anything from sitting down to paint when that’s the last thing I want to do to walking up to someone at an event and opening up about my dream to become a muralist. It also means giving myself permission to rest, taking my mental health seriously, and cooking myself healthy meals. Learning how to say no to opportunities that don’t point me in the direction I’m trying to go. These are all things I’ve learned from the obstacles I’ve overcome so far.
Being an artist is an extremely vulnerable experience. I find myself constantly having to open up to strangers about my struggles, my dreams, my finances, etc. I’m learning how to advocate for myself and see the value in my work. It has really forced me to put myself out there in a way that used to be so challenging but now it happens much more organically. I realized that if I say my dreams out loud to enough people, those seeds I planted will eventually turn into an opportunity. And all the rejection emails I’ve received (seven so far this year!) will be worth it. Not because I enjoy the rejection, but because it hurts a little less each time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always loved working with my hands. Making something out of nothing, solving problems creatively, losing track of time- I can’t get enough. Telling someone “yes I made that!” has always been a huge source of pride for me. I have dabbled in some abstract work, and while I admire the freedom in that style of expression, I have always felt more fulfilled in realism. I love the challenge of recreating an image as closely as possible with a paintbrush.
Every painting I make goes through a familiar emotional rollercoaster. First comes procrastination and blank canvas intimidation then once I get started my thoughts go something like this: “Ok let’s just start somewhere. Am I messing this up? Oh God, I’m messing this up. It’s ok I can probably fix it just keep going. Wow, I just mixed the perfect shade of maroon. Ok ok, we are getting somewhere. Oops, I just dropped my brush and got paint everywhere. Eh, that’s ok just wipe it up and keep going. Omg, this is really coming together! I’m getting tired, I think it’s time for highlights. WAIT this looks so good!! Did I just make that?!”
That’s my favorite part of being an artist. When all of a sudden a painting is in front of me that previously just existed in my imagination. I start to become obsessed with it, and typically I finish projects late at night when there’s nobody there to share it with. It’s so hard to sleep after this happens, almost like a manic feeling. If you know you know.
What matters most to you?
It is important to me to continue to grow as an artist and as a person. I work hard to make each painting better than the last, and I know that only comes with practice. It’s also important to me to connect with other artists, so we can relate, support, and cheer each other on.
I want my community to be able to support my art at every level. On the high end of that scale, I price my originals at a number that reflects my skills, cost of materials, and time spent creating it. Next, I offer small original paintings so fine art is more accessible to those looking to start a collection. Under that level, I have prints and merchandise for sale, which I surprisingly have found very fulfilling to make. And even if you don’t have money to spare right now, liking and sharing my Instagram posts or showing up to one of my events does not go unnoticed from me. If you’re reading this and you fall into one of those categories, thank you. I am so grateful for you and I appreciate you more than you know.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbynems.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbynems/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbynems/
Image Credits
Personal photo: Phil Hua-Pham Additional photos: Life by Tay Media
