Rising Stars: Meet Nika Leverett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nika Leverett.

Hi Nika, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey as a glam makeup artist. Always needing a challenge, I ventured into body painting. My best friend kept telling me to try it on canvas and I was so hesitant. Lol. Right before the pandemic, I moved but also went through a breakup that led me trying to paint on canvas to get my mind off of things. I loved it. Like every moment. I put my first piece up for sale June teenth 2020 and had a viral video on Tiktok that led to an influx of orders and here we are over two years later.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh no, of course not. Lol. Because I feel as though I am operating in my purpose, creating or trying new mediums aren’t a struggle. But, because things have come without obstacles, there was a spell where I felt as if I didn’t belong. Going viral has been a blessing but it’s had its moments. Viral videos bring trolls and unwanted opinions. In two years I’ve mastered several mediums without training so people who are classically trained tend to question my worthiness of the platform I’ve built.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multidisciplinary artist. Not like a traditional artist where I specialize in one medium. I work with several mediums together to create a cohesive piece of art. Currently, I specialize in fluid art with acrylics and alcohol inks, textured abstract, resin and sculpting. I’m mostly known for fluid art and my ability to maintain control of this medium. I am most proud of my most recent piece. I’m working on a series titled “MOTION” that will feature hand-sculpted pieces. Sculpting was something I thought I’d have to travel to Europe to study and execute but I tried, and it came to me so easily. I’m not afraid to try new mediums and fail. I’m a perfectionist so I don’t like failing lol but I am not afraid to fail. I think not being afraid sets me apart.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned to live right now. I really learned that life is so fragile, and you can’t wait to do the things you want to do. I worked in corporate America for six years and I was climbing the ladder, but I was not fulfilled. Creating made me feel so fulfilled, like nothing going wrong mattered when I was creating. I didn’t get that at my day job, so I decided to chase that feeling. I know we lost so much during the pandemic, but I gained a freedom that I’ve never had before.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nikaleverett.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nikaleverett
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Nika-Leverett/100007258636980/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nikaleverett