Life & Work with Nik Aliye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nik Aliye.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
I have always been a creative. My first love is television and movies and as I was growing up, I picked up graphic design as a fun, relaxing hobby. But I never thought I was capable of doing anything with my hands (that didn’t include a mouse). After a successful (and grueling) few years in New York working as a producer and graphic designer, I found myself deep in the throes of burnout. I had a brief break in between jobs, and I desperately needed to not be touching a screen for the majority of the day. So, I walked into a Blick and walked out with a small canvas and a pint of pink, fluorescent paint. 

The rest is history. I fell in love. I fell in love with putting colors on the page with discovering new ways to shape and blend. I pair my practice with a good documentary or Gilmore Girls, and my ADHD is temporarily cured. I can hyper-focus on creating these bright, dopamine-fueled works of art. My joy is translated to the canvas, and I feel I’ve found my calling. 

Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles, and my art started to earn a few dollars. I managed to transition to freelancing and painting. I’ve never been happier, and I hope that is evident in the work. 

Each of my pieces is a colorful feast for the eyes. They have details that consume your attention so you can forget whatever it is you were occupied with before. Escapism is the name of the game, and if even a fraction of the joy I feel while making the pieces comes through – I’ve achieved my goal with the viewer. 

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost in your day-to-day, I recommend picking up any medium without being worried about the end result. My paintings are created intuitively – I never know what it is going to end up looking like and the best part of the process is the process itself. I hope you can find your bliss. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everything is always a work in progress! Every day is different, and I still am very much in the beginning of my career. But there is something beautiful about having no idea where I’m headed. Terrifying, but sure, yes, I can say beautiful and sound very confident! 

In the meantime, I’d say the biggest challenge I’m facing right now is getting my work in front of new audiences. I want these pieces to be seen by as many people as possible so that they can help as many people as possible. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’d say the thing that makes my work the most special is the colors. The combinations, the saturation, and the overall effect of a super bright and fluorescent work is stunning. If I could fill the world with more color, I would be happy. I’d love to get into experiential and site-specific spaces – imagine a playground in my style! I can’t wait to make one. 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m 100% self-taught, and I can’t wait to design bedding one day! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heyhey.cool
• Instagram: instagram.com/nik.aliye.art
• Other: tiktok.com/@nik.aliye.art