Meet Angie Nordstrum | Artist & Instructor

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

Hi Angie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always known I would have my own business. As a younger person I sought out other small creative businesses as employers. I observed how they operated and how they did business. I loved working for these small businesses. I had deep admiration for the leaders in these businesses. How they were able to create a business out of their art and creativity. How they were able to build their business around their family and lifestyle.

I left my corporate job in 2016 to start Angie Nordstrum Design. I had thoroughly enjoyed my corporate job for many years. it was creative, challenging and fulfilling. After big structural changes within the company that left me doing admin tasks instead of creative work, I knew it was time for me to move on. I knew I had decades of experience and a unique skill set that I could apply to building my own business. I was also a single mom. I was tired of dropping my son off at before school care, commuting 30 minutes each way, rushing back for after school pickup and soccer practice, throwing a meal together, crashing to bed and repeating this routine each day. I just knew that if I had a solid 6 hours each day to apply to building my own business, that I could do it. I wanted to be present and available for my son and create the life and business I desired.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist and designer who paints vibrant, colorful murals, canvases and windows. My mission is to create art that inspires and maybe even sets your soul on fire. My art is a fusion of 25+ years of creating with a variety of media and graphic design. There is always a story behind my paintings. Elements of that story may be subtly infused in the painting with color, words and subtle shapes. I write the intention of the painting on the canvas as the first step in my process.

I’m most proud of my perseverance and resiliance in life and business. Life has brought me many unexpected challenges. I always find a way to rise and keep going. That is a message people need to hear and I would like to convey more in my work. Life may deal us some challenging cards, but we find our power in rising above the difficult times.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to just stay true to yourself. Who were you when you were 10? What did you love at that age? Does that still set your soul on fire? If so, go after it! I loved everything about art when I was 10. I just wanted to make and create. That is who I am.

My hope is that my brand conveys joy and inspires my viewers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like to explore the beautiful and unexpected places. We would drive up the canyon and ride bikes at Betasso, We would get lunch at Fresh Thymes and hike Wonderland Lake. We would enjoy happy hour and people watching on the patio at Next Door on Pearl Street. We would paddle board at Horsetooth. We would order as many brunch items as possible at The Kitchen. We would visit art studios in NoBo. We would go to a big concert at Red Rocks and a small show at Chautauqua.

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 would like to dedicate my shoutout to my son. He was the catalyst that drove me to start my own business. He is the one who cheers me on everyday. He is the one who sees the long hours, the big projects, my challenges and my success. He happily tolerates our home that has morphed into a full on art studio. He laughs that we often eat dinner at a table covered in drop cloths and paint. He inspires me to follow my heart and my dreams. He gave me the best compliment I have ever received. We walked inside a restaurant where I had designed all the decor. As we entered, he turned to me with huge eyes and said, “Holy cow, Mom! This is what you designed on your computer? You did all this?!?” I’ll never forget that look of awe and pride on his face. My hope is that I am showing him the power of believing in yourself and following your heart is so worth the journey.

Website: https://www.angienordstrum.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angienordstrumdesign/

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

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/angienordstrum/

Image Credits
Hayden Niederhauser