Art
Behind the canvas: An interview with visual artist Nelxart
“NELXART was something that I just came up with due to me realizing that I can create anything that I put my mind to.”
By Daija Green | Posted on April 11, 2023
Original, vibrant, and fearless are three words Shanel Gaskin uses to describe her artwork. Shanel, also known by the alias NELXART is a visual artist known for her vivid and expressive works. Her artistry combines mixed media, including acrylic paintings, clothing designs for her brand AMATI STUDIOS, and more. Nel creates with this core belief in mind - that with her boundless creativity and imagination, she has the ability to bring to life anything her mind can dream up.
With an artistic eye for emotion and bold use of color, her imaginative inner world comes to life as she explores themes like youth, identity, and expression. Her original art style beautifully blends abstract concepts and figurative characters that invite her viewers to reflect on the diverse facets of life. Having been captivated by Nel's work, I was curious to learn more about the woman behind the canvas. And to no surprise, Nel's work is a direct reflection of her own spirited nature. Continue scrolling to read my conversation with Nel about the inception of Nelxart, the inspiration behind her color choices, and her favorite piece.
With an artistic eye for emotion and bold use of color, her imaginative inner world comes to life as she explores themes like youth, identity, and expression. Her original art style beautifully blends abstract concepts and figurative characters that invite her viewers to reflect on the diverse facets of life. Having been captivated by Nel's work, I was curious to learn more about the woman behind the canvas. And to no surprise, Nel's work is a direct reflection of her own spirited nature. Continue scrolling to read my conversation with Nel about the inception of Nelxart, the inspiration behind her color choices, and her favorite piece.
Who is Nel and what do you do?
Nel is creative, a lover, a friend, a relative, a motivator, as well as a stylish woman from Houston. I am a visual artist who paints and also periodically designs apparel with my brand AMATI STUDIOS.
When did your love story with art begin?
My love for art began as a young girl being exposed from my grandfather painting in the living room to my dad drawing at the table and my parents taking my brother and I to museums. Art has always been in my life, just that my style as NELXART developed a few years back.
Nel is creative, a lover, a friend, a relative, a motivator, as well as a stylish woman from Houston. I am a visual artist who paints and also periodically designs apparel with my brand AMATI STUDIOS.
When did your love story with art begin?
My love for art began as a young girl being exposed from my grandfather painting in the living room to my dad drawing at the table and my parents taking my brother and I to museums. Art has always been in my life, just that my style as NELXART developed a few years back.
Talk a little bit more about the inception of NELXART. What sparked the beginning of your art practice?
As stated before, I was always surrounded by art, so my love for it sparked at the very beginning. Though I was only drawing, it was something that I did often. From taking classes in school to drawing at home, but no one actually knew I was passionate about it. Around the end of the year 2015, I began painting which was a technique that was new for me using acrylic paint. Since then, my style just eventually evolved into what people can identify as my style of work.
NELXART was something that I just came up with due to me realizing that I can create anything that I put my mind to. Whether it's designing, using certain materials to create a project — I mean literally anything that I imagine in my head I bring it to life. So, I put together "Nel" and multiplied it to "Art" because anything I create is art.
What stories, themes, people or ideas does your art explore?
Funny thing about my paintings, 95% of them do not have a meaning or anything deep. I literally just doodle, and once the doodle is complete, I have an idea of what I want to name it. I just want to create pieces that look good and make myself as well as the audience feel good. Personally, I feel my purpose with my art is to bring the best emotion inside of the viewer out.
As stated before, I was always surrounded by art, so my love for it sparked at the very beginning. Though I was only drawing, it was something that I did often. From taking classes in school to drawing at home, but no one actually knew I was passionate about it. Around the end of the year 2015, I began painting which was a technique that was new for me using acrylic paint. Since then, my style just eventually evolved into what people can identify as my style of work.
NELXART was something that I just came up with due to me realizing that I can create anything that I put my mind to. Whether it's designing, using certain materials to create a project — I mean literally anything that I imagine in my head I bring it to life. So, I put together "Nel" and multiplied it to "Art" because anything I create is art.
What stories, themes, people or ideas does your art explore?
Funny thing about my paintings, 95% of them do not have a meaning or anything deep. I literally just doodle, and once the doodle is complete, I have an idea of what I want to name it. I just want to create pieces that look good and make myself as well as the audience feel good. Personally, I feel my purpose with my art is to bring the best emotion inside of the viewer out.
What does your creative process look like?
Having a piece of paper and a sharpie pen, outlining my predicted size of canvas, then proceeding to draw out the dimensions of the piece. Once I approve, I use my art markers to put the colors in the areas in which I feel fits best for the work. Lastly, transfer everything on canvas to bring the drawing to life.
The vibrancy of your art is one of the first things I noticed. The colors you use are very playful and vibrant. What inspires your color choice? Do you choose color based on your specific mood?
My color choice is simply inspired by how the colors make me feel. Majority of the time you see me using bright colors because it brings out the best emotion for us. I believe we might have been programmed as younger individuals on how colors make us feel, but lately, I have been slowly incorporating more darker tones. Not too much, but just enough.
Having a piece of paper and a sharpie pen, outlining my predicted size of canvas, then proceeding to draw out the dimensions of the piece. Once I approve, I use my art markers to put the colors in the areas in which I feel fits best for the work. Lastly, transfer everything on canvas to bring the drawing to life.
The vibrancy of your art is one of the first things I noticed. The colors you use are very playful and vibrant. What inspires your color choice? Do you choose color based on your specific mood?
My color choice is simply inspired by how the colors make me feel. Majority of the time you see me using bright colors because it brings out the best emotion for us. I believe we might have been programmed as younger individuals on how colors make us feel, but lately, I have been slowly incorporating more darker tones. Not too much, but just enough.
It's almost like with every doodle these characters that live in your mind come to life. Where do you pull your inspiration? What is your muse?
Inspiration stems from whatever, whenever. Whether I am at a museum, restaurant, in the wilderness, park, city, just anywhere due to art being around us. The architects created the buildings, constructors the roads, builders in parks, vehicles, and chefs with their dishes. Art is everywhere, so it is not hard for me to get a spark by another artist's creation. I do not actually have a muse, just some artists I admire, such as Nina Chanel, Hberu Brantley, Jennie C. Jones, Shantell Martin, Tuck the Float, Fanny the Artist, and Christina Allen.
Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve created? If so, why is it your favorite?
My favorite piece I created was "HOOP DREAMS." It is my favorite because growing up playing basketball was literally everything, it was life, and when you are young, you have these dreams of playing further or forever, and unfortunately situations in life happen that prevent that from occurring. I knew I was not the only one who felt that way, so I decided to paint it. The feedback to the piece was so beautiful because everyone has a story. I actually sold it to someone dear to me out in California then not too long after that someone stole it. I know it is out there, I do hope it is cherished, but I wish it was not stolen.
Inspiration stems from whatever, whenever. Whether I am at a museum, restaurant, in the wilderness, park, city, just anywhere due to art being around us. The architects created the buildings, constructors the roads, builders in parks, vehicles, and chefs with their dishes. Art is everywhere, so it is not hard for me to get a spark by another artist's creation. I do not actually have a muse, just some artists I admire, such as Nina Chanel, Hberu Brantley, Jennie C. Jones, Shantell Martin, Tuck the Float, Fanny the Artist, and Christina Allen.
Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve created? If so, why is it your favorite?
My favorite piece I created was "HOOP DREAMS." It is my favorite because growing up playing basketball was literally everything, it was life, and when you are young, you have these dreams of playing further or forever, and unfortunately situations in life happen that prevent that from occurring. I knew I was not the only one who felt that way, so I decided to paint it. The feedback to the piece was so beautiful because everyone has a story. I actually sold it to someone dear to me out in California then not too long after that someone stole it. I know it is out there, I do hope it is cherished, but I wish it was not stolen.
You mentioned that you also design apparel for your brand AMATI STUDIOS. Are there any other mediums that you’d like to try?
Furniture actually, I think I can make some cool pieces doing that.
What’s the most significant lesson you’ve learned about your identity through your artistic journey?
The most significant lesson I learned throughout my journey is being my true authentic self.
Thank You NELXART!︎
Furniture actually, I think I can make some cool pieces doing that.
What’s the most significant lesson you’ve learned about your identity through your artistic journey?
The most significant lesson I learned throughout my journey is being my true authentic self.
Thank You NELXART!︎
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