Meet Nicholas Heilig | Performance Painter

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

Hi Nicholas, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I’m very fond of quoting intelligent emcees practicing fearless prophetic speech but it would be tough for me to single out just one I like best. As a performance painter, I’ve been blessed to meet some amazing wordsmiths. I have deep respect for their effective command of language and dedication to craftsmanship.

I do have a couple of slogans: Life is Water and Skill Not Fame. Skill Not Fame, which I made up around 2018, is a gentle reminder to focus my energy on honing my craft. It recognizes technique is superior to taste, and craftsmanship is far more important than clout. Sometimes influencers cultivate this idea that positive thinking is the key to financial success, where all that is needed is to set intentions and engage in positive self-talk. While I agree thinking positively can be helpful, many fail to recognize the large role that luck plays in their success. No one can reliably influence random opportunities, but anyone can absolutely be prepared when they are lucky enough to receive some.

Similarly, Life is Water is all about love and connection. All of creation shares common connections, none more important than water. I champion this phrase because it is too easy to take clean water for granted and to disregard its importance. It reminds me (and others) that humanity still faces major challenges securing the most basic of needs. As major corporations gain more and more control over our water, this most basic necessity will become just one more tool for oppression.

Both mantras remind me to set appropriate priorities in life. Creating art is joyous and rewarding in itself, but in the end, what really matters is love and integrity. I pour my heart and soul into the canvas when I paint and hope that people can witness my dedication even if they missed the performance. The best place to see my work is IG: @Heilig_Art

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.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others. what you are most proud of or excited about:

All of my art is made live at concerts and festivals across the country. In ten years of touring I’ve never met anyone working in my medium (Ink and water on archival board). Trail blazing can be difficult without mentors to lean on, but I enjoy the challenge of creating live artwork under time constraints. Whether I’m painting a planned subject or freestyling abstract landscapes of music, my utmost goal is to achieve my vision with style and efficiency. My style is a fusion of everything I find elegant, from street art to woodblock prints, from Anime masterworks to Art Nouveau advertisements.

I have profound respect for clean design and confident creation. I usually book my own festival tour from May to September each year, but lately I’ve been collaborating on murals with other painters and I am really excited to continue down this path with a full Mural Tour this summer.

How did you get to where you are today professionally:

Perseverance, dedication and blind luck. Also, the gift of kind friends.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges:

The toughest part of an art career is not getting caught up in others’ definition of success. To make a living in any creative field requires great sacrifice which by definition is not always comfortable. I view crafting a human life of integrity and love as the ultimate artwork, and I believe we are all artists in that sense. There are times in my youth when I have become envious of a more comfortable inherited lifestyle, but I also know for me that path would be unsatisfying. There is beauty in struggle, value to suffering, and satisfaction in overcoming a rigged game.

What I have learned is that sacrifice has granted me access to worlds previously unattainable and provided endless experiences to cherish. Traveling has broadened my perspective immensely and connecting with art appreciators has blessed my life with purpose and meaning.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way:

In everything, be kind and humble. Even the smallest act of kindness can change lives.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I hope my art can speak for itself but to truly appreciate my performance paintings they need to be seen in person, preferably during creation! I consider every detail to be important, and my work reflects that priority. Even when large parts of a composition are covered in the chaos of spontaneous splashes, inevitably what dominates is refined elegant design and clean confident lines. The resulting works are informed by a classical training and a critical eye for composition, but they remain light hearted and full of life.
For me, the experience of creating is paramount to the artifact in many ways, but the fulfillment gained from executing my craft with style provides the deepest satisfaction. The best way to understand what I am saying is to see my process live. Follow my IG stories to stay up to date with upcoming Colorado performances and keep an eye out for my summer tour poster.

Another aspect of my brand is its natural connection to community. My highest goal is to create a live/work space to foster an artist community. I have no desire to isolate myself in the studio just to make masterpieces for people to worship. Rather I’m attempting to live life to the fullest, to take risks and have fun while collaborating with amazing artists along the way.

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.
Well if we had a whole week it would definitely include a trip to Steamboat Springs. Besides snowboarding and the hot springs we would likely check out some live music at Schmiggity’s before returning to Denver to rehydrate at Twisted Smoothie. We would make a point to eat well, starting with Hana Matsuri and Yazoo BBQ! I would also make sure my friend got to see the Flat Irons. Maybe do some hiking or cruise on the bike path in Boulder. Wrap things up with some delicious IPAs at Backcountry Pizza and Taphouse, then more food and music at Supermoon!

Bonus points, if its nice out a trip to Garden of the Gods would be a must!

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 have been blessed in life with substantial support from friends and family. I would love to thank one childhood friend in particular, Steve (eatonphoto.com), for helping me realize I could make a living off of my art. My tour managers, Geoff Gorman and JC Durham, for keeping me on track. One huge shout to all the bands and DJs who have invited me up on stage. Specifically those who have welcomed me on tour at key moments in my career: Twiddle, Kitchen Dwellers, Matisyahu, G-nome Project, and The Hot Chocheys just to name a few. I consider you all brothers and cannot describe how meaningful jamming is! Thank you to my Patrons for supporting my long term vision via Patreon (www.patreon.com/heiligart)

Lastly, sending all my love to my parents who supported my outlandish dream to make a living off of my own labor.

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

Other: https://www.patreon.com/heiligart