Nile Yang shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Nile, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I want to start by saying, I’m still afraid, but do it scared, right? I’m currently being called to travel and create as much art as I can. For the next couple of months, I’ll be doing pop-ups every weekend at Scofflaw in Atlanta, GA, and wherever else I’m invited. I’m in the process of purging everything I own, saving up, and getting myself and my van prepared for full-time travel. It’s always been a dream of mine to drive across the country and take pictures. One of my good friends, Nicole, invited me to her wedding in California next spring, and it seems like the perfect excuse to go for it despite my fears. I’m very nervous, but also excited to see what this journey brings, all the art I create along the way, and all the people I’ll get to share it with.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nile, a Puerto Rican artisan, fine artist, and SCAD alum. I’m currently pursuing my dream of becoming a traveling artist. I’m known for my jewelry pop-ups and fine art photography work. I’ve had the honor of exhibiting my work at renowned venues like the Hotel Clermont in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as participating in pop-ups in New York, Florida, and artisan fairs in Puerto Rico. I frequently do pop-ups all over town, at different breweries, small businesses, and wherever I’m invited.
One of my favorite aspects of pop-ups is the opportunity to create custom pieces with people. I love bringing people in on the creative process, encouraging them to select their own unique gems and styles, and transforming the experience into something memorable. I’m incredibly passionate about art, sharing my culture, and being unapologetic about being yourself and following your dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I feel like this is such a deep question, and it’s also incredibly relevant to my life right now. I want to say, the part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released, is the part that’s always second-guessing itself and trying to please everyone. It feels like I’m in this weird transition period between letting go of survival mode and embracing living life to the fullest. All while simultaneously returning to life’s simple pleasures and rediscovering my dreams.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve been a full-time artist since 2020. Back in 2022, I was at a point in my life where I felt like I had lost pretty much everything I truly valued here, and I wasn’t sure what that meant or what direction to go. My only solace was my art, and I really didn’t want to quit. Doing art full-time with so many markets and festivals had become impossible to sustain. I had to take a step back, and I decided it was time to change my entire approach to making and sharing my art. I didn’t really think anyone would support me, but I also didn’t have much to lose. I started doing what I call picnic popups and sunset sessions at the park, where I just go create and share my art with whoever is interested. On one of those days, I messaged over 100 breweries and small businesses, and two of them answered: Cultivation brewery in Norcross and Scofflaw brewing in Atlanta. After that, I started getting invited to do pop-ups in more places, and I’m truly honored to say that I’m still doing it. I’m so glad that I didn’t give up and grateful to be able to do what I do and share my art every day. I’ve developed the most beautiful connection to my art, myself, and the people that genuinely support me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe so. I don’t really have the energy to keep up with being someone I’m not. I actually don’t have much of an online presence right now because I’m so concerned with showing up in a way that feels authentic. Of course, we all curate what we post and place focus on the good when meeting people, but I try not to shy away from being real in public.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I don’t think I’ve ever really done what I was told to do, per se, but I did spend a lot of time trying to fit in boxes where I didn’t belong and fulfill roles that didn’t align with my true highest self. These days, I’m very intentional about living my dreams and doing what I was born to do. I can’t imagine doing anything other than being an artist. Every day I get to do what I love, share it with people that truly cherish it, and get closer to achieving another one of my wildest dreams. That’s not to say I think I’ve made it, or that it has been without its challenges. I was actually miserable trying to conform to societal norms and expectations. I struggled in so many different ways, and my mental health was severely compromised. Making that switch from doing what I was told to following my dreams pretty much saved my life. It’s been a journey full of grace, unconditional love, and understanding that healing is not linear. I’m so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to continue making and sharing my art, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
Contact Info:
- Other: Get the inside scoop, bespoke jewelry pieces, and support my journey on Ko-Fi.com/NileYang
Order fine art prints online at photo.NileYang.com/FineArt
Image Credits
Ashley Mitchell Peters & Nile Yang
