Meet Nicole Cutler | Artist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Cutler and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Creating makes me happy. That’s the soul purpose behind starting my art company. I will always create, if there is an interest in the world for the things I make or not. It’s my happy place. Taking elements, or starting with nothing and ending up with something that came from ME is just such a rewarding feeling. I love to decorate my spaces with beauty and nature. Being able to incorporate nature into my art is my way of staying connected to it.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a self-taught artist. I’ve been creating as long as I can remember. Life, death, nature…these are strong themes in my art. They are the passionate part of my art. I also had a close encounter with an octopus, a good one, and it has since become a massive muse of mine. I enjoy creating in all mediums, painting is one of my favorites. I enjoy the challenge of working in different mediums. I do a lot of volunteer art for non-profits. One is the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program-RMRP. They help take care of birds of prey that have been injured. They hold a Gala every February to raise funds for the birds. They invite artists to decorate different eggs to be auctioned off. I have been doing this for a few years now. I didn’t want to just paint a bird on the side of an egg, I wanted to give them something totally different. Each year it’s a new challenge to see what I can create that is outside the box for them. The other big event I do is a chalk art festival to help women and children of domestic abuse. Prepping mentally and physically to spend hours creating in public in a non-permeant medium is interesting. It’s cool though. Some years they hold up for months, and others are washed away by nature that afternoon.
I recently got into working with metal, bones and butterflies. I find ethically sourced materials and create from there. The butterflies have been a really fun project, they turn out so pretty, and hold so much light. I also really enjoy getting to take old dull skulls and give them a whole new life. It’s a way of honoring the dead to me, keeping their light still visible. The metal working is also something fun. Working in foundry, I have played around with sculpting and casting pendants and belt buckles, but metal bending is something totally new and fun. I love to create things that catch the light maybe have a little chime to it in the wind. I like to make them as a personal gift to people with elements that are specific to them. As a reminder to let the light in, that they are loved.
About 25 years ago I stumbled into a small company that hired me as a graphic designer. Being able to be a creative type at work pushed me to do my own thing off hours. The way I look at it, I’m going to make my own art regardless, so might as well make it official. I started Moonspyder LLC in 2009 offering art services. After doing that for a few years, I got burned out making things for other people. I had been published as a book designer, album art creator, sticker maker, etc. But all under someone else’s name. I decided to hold my energy close and just create what I wanted, when I wanted to. It may not be the money maker that contract work was, but my soul is far more happy. I’m still creating far more than I’ve ever sold, but that’s okay. Now that my son is getting older, I’m thinking about getting back out there and doing art shows and really pushing my company again. I did take a bit of an extended break to really focus on being mom. The time feels right to peak my head back out and see what happens 🙂
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love being in Fort Collins. I went to school here, this is my stomping ground. Horsetooth Res is a must hit spot. There are so may drop in points, but even fighting the crowds at the beach isn’t too bad. So many cool places to hike and ride bikes too. Food wise, gotta be Jax Fish-house. Best calamari anywhere! Pinball Jones is a fun place to get your game on. There are so many venues to check out too, so it would depend on who was in town at the time, but a concert is always a great time.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family hands down! Lots of love to you all!!! Letting me have space, not only physically, but the space to create. The encouragement that I can be as creative as want. My son is a huge inspiration in my art. Especially my chalk art. He and I have also collaborated on a few paintings. The kid has amazing skills with watercolors, so the allosaurus skull and the triptych paintings, the backgrounds were painted by him. I’m inspired and moved by so many talented artists out there, from local folks that I’ve met, to the powerhouses forever known for their art.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonspyder_llc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065051989733
Image Credits
Personal photo taken by Andrew Langholf, of Langholf Photography.
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