Meet Nina Hoffert | Watercolor Artist

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

Hi Nina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Some might say I’m good at risk taking. But I know that I am generally cautious with fleeting moments of desire to know what’s possible. Then, sometimes, I shake my head and wonder whatever got into me that brought me to this moment. The only way to know what’s possible is to step to the edge of the proverbial comfort zone. And sometimes even venture outside. But only after I’ve done massive amounts of research and can predict what discomfort I might have to endure.

I see myself as a late bloomer. I finally finished my undergraduate degree in my 30’s, after I had children. Then I was in my late 40’s by the time I finished a Master’s degree. I still remember coming to the conclusion that time was going to pass whether I was taking classes towards a degree or not, so I might as well work on a degree plan, even though it might have been slow progress. Being an older student felt risky–it was easy to feel I was a fish out of water with all of the younger students. But I felt I had something to prove to myself–that I was a capable learner and could apply that to a productive career.

The education lead me to a career as a local government fleet manager; working to purchase and maintain a fleet of vehicles that would most effectively serve our community. Ideally this would include alternative fueled vehicles, although this did not pan out in broad ways during my career. Pushing that, though, was a risk I had to take. The biggest risk in this career was simply being a female in a male dominated field. Some may have seen that as brave. For me, it was an interesting career. I did have moments when I wish I could go back to being a secretary, in a familiar gender role. But I pushed on and tried to make important changes in spite of stylistic differences. I rather enjoyed bridging the blue collar/white collar divide.

And now, as a retired government manager, I have taken a giant life left turn. I no longer go to work for someone else, but I am a working artist. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would so completely embrace the other side of my brain and enjoy the act of making and sharing art as much as I am. Even as decades-long amateur musician, I have never connected with my art as much as I connect with watercolor on paper.

Even though some might see it as a risk to make art, to share art, and to start an art business in my “senior years,” this strangely feels like one of the least risky things I’ve ever done. It feels like I’ve finally come home.

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.
Others watercolor paintings have always been a source of intrigue and joy for me. For most of my life, I never envisioned that I could actually paint them. In 2015 I attended an afternoon watercolor workshop at a retreat held at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. The instructors provided paper, cheap watercolors, encouragement and a view. That afternoon is still sealed in my memory as I realized I LOVED this! Four years later, I bought my first set of watercolors and started painting. Along the way, I retired from my job, then the pandemic provided a lot of at-home time to learn and practice.

After some exploration, I’ve found that my “style” leans towards watercolor florals and landscapes, detailed with ink pens. No matter what I paint, I am happier with the final outcome when I can use pens to either highlight details or correct errors. This is likely different than a pure watercolor artist. I think what I love about my journey is that I can finally invent my own rules. I’ve never been in this position before–I’ve always felt I had to behave certain ways and follow others rules in order to either fit in or get paid. My art is purely me–no rules. Life can get very heavy and it’s all too easy to feel bewildered and dispassionate. Focusing on the fun times of the past, present and future through art feels like a solid place to land.

In a way it was, and is, easy. I consider myself very fortunate that I don’t have to make a living with my art which gives me freedom to work as hard as I want to, or not work at all. I am in an enviable position to paint when it brings me joy, but I don’t HAVE to produce anything. Do I deserve this? I doubt it. But there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel massive amounts of gratitude for this time of my life. I did put in a lot of decades of sometimes soul-sucking government work. My art career provides such a colorful counter balance to that.

I’ve begun seeing the natural world differently now. I’ve always been too caught up in figuring out how to be a wife, a mother, a student, a worker and, until now, couldn’t find the time to simply be me. I like to think this shows in my art: “Art for fun times and hopeful places.” My art connects with some, and doesn’t connect with others. But isn’t this what art is? And isn’t this why there is so much to enjoy and choose from in the arts?

And for you? I am newly convinced that everyone is an artist! We all have it in us. Find your opportunities, your friends, your mentors, your cheap paints and a view.

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?
As a native Coloradan, this is a scenario I’ve encountered many times in my life. Colorado is an easy place to show off, whether it be city or mountains. Locally, my husband I are new fans of Chatfield Farms Botanic Gardens. It not only provides a snapshot of native botanicals (which are entirely different than the Midwest or East Coast), but it also provides a beautiful view of the Front Range. If we can get enough bicycles for everyone, an easy ride up Waterton Canyon while we are in that area is a great opportunity to get close-up to Big Horn Sheep. A novelty for even us natives!

Of course a drive through Red Rocks Park is a must, especially if you are entertaining musicians or music fans. A stop at Dinosaur Ridge is wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, especially if there are children along. Make sure to take the bus tour and get all the information on the historic exposure of the dinosaur tracks.

If the weather is good, explore I-70 towards Summit County. Lunch in Georgetown followed by a drive over Loveland Pass will get your heart racing just enough, but not too much. If there’s time and money, a quick overnight in Breckenridge, over Boreas Pass and into South Park gives some broad paintstrokes of the geography of the area.

For anyone with a little more time or money, we are big fans of Crested Butte and Steamboat. Iconic views, bicycle rides and food options.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Two Colorado artists, Krista Falkenstein and Don Ruth, have mentored and supported my journey as an artist. Without their experience and encouragement, I have some doubts that I could overcome the natural feelings of incompetency that most artists live with. I am deeply grateful to both friends.

Website: www.ninalouzart.com

Instagram: @ninalouz.art