Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Tyson.
Hi Nadia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Looking back, I think I’ve always seen the world a little differently – through a creative lens, even before I had the words to describe it. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and being surrounded by people working in creative fields made it feel normal to explore my own interests. I studied cultural anthropology in college and that pulled me deeper into my fascination with people – their stories, their traditions, and the colors that fill their lives. I also spent a few years of my childhood in Sweden, which gave me sort of an early sense of curiosity about different ways of life.
After college, I spent a few years traveling and ended up visiting over 50 countries. I brought my camera with me pretty much everywhere and just tried to capture what I saw along the way. I was especially drawn to photographing people – their everyday moments, their stories, and the feeling of different places.
I was always drawn to painting, but it wasn’t until 2020 – when everything slowed down – that I finally had the chance to explore it. I picked up a few canvases and started experimenting, teaching myself how to stretch fabrics and eventually falling in love with the feel and texture of linen. I began with oils, layering gesso and testing out whatever materials I could find.
Over time, I found myself gravitating toward acrylics – especially bold, neon tones that felt full of energy and movement. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with aerosol to add a new dimension to some of my pieces.
I started sharing my work online, and eventually sold my first pieces through Instagram. From there, this side of my creative life slowly began to grow – organically, and with a lot of learning along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a meaningful one. One of the biggest challenges is the cost – art supplies are expensive, and my version of a candy store is Blicks Art Store in Santa Monica. It’s hard to walk in and not want every neon acrylic or new spray color on the shelf. Between canvases, paints, and materials, it adds up quickly.
Another challenge is space. I paint in my garage, and while I have a really great setup, it’s still limiting. I dream of making really large-scale pieces, 6’x6’ or even 10’x10’, but I don’t have the room at the moment. I’d love to eventually have a dedicated studio where I can go big without holding back.
And like any artist, selling work is its own journey. I’ve had some amazing support through Etsy and local buyers finding me in the area, but getting consistent visibility and reaching a wider audience is tough. One of my biggest goals right now is to have a show and to be able to showcase a body of work in person and let people experience it all at once. That’s something I’m still working toward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in both abstract painting and headshot photography, and I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist. My body of work includes contemporary abstract paintings, writing, and photography – primarily portrait and documentary. I own a headshot business based in Los Angeles and work with a wide range of clients, from actors and creatives to professionals needing strong, clean imagery for their businesses and websites. I’m also hired by companies to photograph their teams on-site – my largest client is Google, and I’ve also worked with Equinox and other organizations.
Artistically, I’m known for my expressive abstract paintings composed with acrylics, neon tones, and aerosol on stretched linen. My work focuses mostly on form, movement, and texture.
I’m most proud of seeing my work live out in the world- whether that’s portraits featured in publications or paintings purchased by the Sofi Stadium in Inglewood. I’ve also had pieces exhibited and displayed in people’s homes, which is deeply meaningful to me. Knowing that something I created becomes a permanent part of someone’s space- that’s what drives me.
What really sets my work apart is my use of color and light. In my paintings, I’m drawn to unexpected color combinations – bold tones that you might not usually see together, but that somehow just work. With photography, I use large Kino lights that create a clean, bright look on skin and bring something extra to the overall feel of the image. It’s a mix of instinct and experimentation that’s become part of my style over time.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing both sides of my creative work- my painting and photography. For my art, one of my biggest goals is to work on much larger-scale pieces and eventually have a solo show that brings everything together in one space.
In terms of photography, I plan to keep working with individuals and companies who want strong images – especially in the headshot and editorial space. I love capturing people’s energy and stories, and I’m proud of how much that side of my work has grown.
Personally, I have a three-year-old daughter, and I look forward to inspiring her through art, creativity, and travel. I’d love to explore the world with her as she grows and letting those experiences shape both of us and inspire our work.
Pricing:
- Headshots – $200/ 25 minutes
- Paintings range from $100-4,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nadiatyson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiatyson_studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NadiaTysonStudio/
- Twitter: @nadiatyson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nadiatyson
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nadia-tyson-photographer-inglewood-2
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/nadiatysonphotographer?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Photos by Nadia Tyson
