Meet Nadine Rebrovic: Artist & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Nadine, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.” — Ludwig van Beethoven This quote inspires me to practice my art. Practicing is the work we all dread doing, but it is through practicing that we grow and expand our talents. I love this part, ‘Force your way into its secrets’. The more I immerse myself into my art, the more intricacies are brought to the surface and it almost feels as if it is beyond my own doing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a portrait artist. My artwork is super minimal, hand drawn sketches, that is mostly of people’s fur babies. My trademark has become drawing onto the edges of the mat in my framed pieces. I am most excited about the children’s book series “How to Love your Pet” that I was asked to illustrate. I started these custom pet portraits a year ago, without any intention of selling them or growing a business. But a lot of magic can happen in creative spaces when you don’t know your intention, right? I posted my first portrait on social media, and it slowly began to snowball. I was shocked at the interest level in my simple line drawings. Selling artwork definitely comes with a learning curve, and I have become super close to the employees at the print shop I go to because of it. There are so many ways for a client to get in touch with me (i.e direct messaging and comments on social media, text, and emails) it is a must that I streamline everything coming in and stay organized. I have also learned to trust my instincts and have communication with my clients about the direction I am going with their custom pieces. I still make mistakes, but I have also learned a lot along the way to help me save time and money. Cleaning up my process has helped minimize some of the stress that comes along with being an artist. I want the world to know that we all have creative ideas in us that are trying to get out. And if we just dedicate a little time each day to pulling those ideas out, eventually something will come to the surface.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh my gosh, I love this question. I love Colfax and all of the small theaters. I would take a friend to a show at the Fillmore, Odgen or Blue Bird. There are so many great bands that come through Denver. There is also an awesome Ethiopian Restaurant on Colfax that is fun to take out of towners to. In Uptown, I also love taking friends to Onefold for breakfast. It’s the cutest restaurant with fresh flowers on each table, and they bump hip hop, and I love it. I also love all of the Vietnamese restaurants on federal, and Star Kitchen has the best dim sum in Denver by far. Broardway also has a lot of unique restaurants and shops. I personally love the Columbian restaurant La Chiva. I recommend getting the Picada that serves two. I would also have them check out Union Station. The remodel is beautiful, and it is a great piece of Denver history. You can also take a train from the airport right there, so it is super convenient and a great welcome to the city.

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?
As an entrepreneur, I have met so many people at the right time that have helped guide me. These individuals are mentors that are way more knowledgeable than me in business, but some of them have become lifelong friends. Advice can come from any direction, you just need to be open to the idea that you were meant to hear that in that exact moment, and run with it. As an artist, my parents have always pinned me as the ‘artsy’ one, and have never denied my interest in creative endeavors. They have always encouraged me to pursue art in some capacity, so for that, I am very grateful. In the last year, I am really taken back at how many friends have supported my artwork. That truly means the world to me.

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