Meet Nicole Huggins | Artist & Attorney

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

Hi Nicole, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Oscar Wilde is quoted as saying “Everything in moderation, including moderation,” though that principle goes back to classical antiquity. I think finding balance in life is tied to moderation. It’s not that you can’t have it all. You just can’t have it all, in equal degree, at the same time. When I was a child, I immigrated from Romania to the U.S. via Italy. In Italy we were free of the oppressive communist regime existing at the time and there was beautiful art everywhere. I fell in love with art. Once in the U.S., I couldn’t speak English, but found that I could communicate through art with people on another level. My art teacher thought I had talent and encouraged me to pursue it. I applied and got into art school upon graduating. As a single parent, my mother who had to retrain to rebuild her career upon immigrating, was concerned about how I would sustain myself as an artist. She encouraged me to pursue another degree, while continuing to draw. I found that I actually enjoyed studying political science, philosophy and economics. I found balance by becoming a lawyer, but continuing to take art classes and painting. I had a full time career as a lawyer and manager. I also fell in love with a wonderful man. Balance meant focusing on work at work and on my family at home. Through it all, art remained my passion and creative outlet. Upon retiring in 2019, I joined the Center for the Arts in Evergreen, which helped me get into a gallery. Now I exhibit regularly. Balance now means doing art and traveling to spend time with my wonderful family.

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.
I think one of the reasons I’m so passionate about painting is that it transcends barriers set by language and time. I could understand art when I didn’t speak English as a first generation immigrant and I could communicate with others through art anywhere. I could learn about history and different perspectives by looking at art made throughout the ages around the world. I love to travel and explore, often using my experiences as inspiration for my art. I’m inspired by the beautiful landscapes around me in Colorado and the Gulf of Mexico. I’m also interested in people engaged in moments that capture their unique experiences and lifestyles. Really, beauty is all around you if you look. As someone who drew and painted throughout her life but had another career, I’m passionate about encouraging others to pursue their creativity. I started exhibiting with the Center for the Arts Evergreen, joined the Pastel Society of Colorado and became a Director at Large and Volunteer Coordinator, and joined the Pastel Society of America, all after retiring from a career in law. After my mother passed, I exhibited at her assisted living center in her memory and got other artist friends involved in what is now a rotating exhibit center. I have given presentations to my homeowners community and my art community on the art of living creatively. I encourage them to seek creative outlets for self-expression, be it painting, music or gardening, etc. When you pursue something you are passionate about, paths open that lead you to new opportunities and happiness.

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.
I live in the beautiful mountain community of Evergreen, Colorado. It’s a wonderful place to go for a walk around the lake and go boating in summer or go skating in winter. If mountain climbing if your thing, you can take the trails around Three Sisters Park or climb Bergen Peak. There are several races in Evergreen, with a large biking community. Luckily for me, it’s also a thriving arts community. During the summer the Center for the Arts Evergreen holds a Summerfest and there is also a Fine Arts Festival at Buchanan Park. I’ve been honored to be selected to participate with a booth in these great art events. I’ve also been participating for the last few years in the Artists of Evergreen Open Door Studio Tour. Father’s Day Weekend there is the yearly Evergreen Rodeo. For those who enjoy live music, you can find a variety from the infamous Little Bear Saloon to the Children’s Chorale. Evergreen is only a short drive from Denver and a wonderful community to visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family is the pillar of my strength and the foundation of my success. My mother was an incredible role model for me. She immigrated at the age of 42 as a single parent, so that I would have a better opportunity. She also studied continually, retook all her exams, and redid her training to become a doctor again. Her effort inspired me to strive to do my best. I went from not understanding the language spoken around me to an honors student, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and becoming a lawyer. What I learned from her is to believe in myself and to be resilient. She also encouraged me to pursue interest that I’m passionate about, such as art. I married an incredible man, who is as comfortable in diplomatic settings as he is in his woodworking shop. In other words, he is secure and supportive, He was proud of my accomplishments and encouraged me to pursue my career. He also helped to raise our family and is an incredible father. He is the only person I know who regularly bought extra textbooks so he could tutor our children. We both worked hard and relied on each other to build our family life. When I tuned in to my creative side and painted, he liked my paintings and encouraged me to paint some more. Upon retiring, I found the courage to approach an art center and gallery largely because my family encouraged me. I tried in turn to encourage our children to believe in themselves and to pursue what they are passionate about, which is success.

Website: www.ArtfulNicoleHugg.com

Instagram: nicole.huggins or Nicole Anagnoste Huggins

Facebook: Artfulnicolehugg