an interview with nichole mc veigh

i first bumped into nichole in the indie kindred creative community, a facebook group led by jen lee.  i was instantly struck by nichole’s generous nature as she straightaway shared her project (which you’ll read about below) and invited interested individuals to contact her. when i visited her online space and read through some of the interviews, i got lost in the interplay between her questions and the responses of her curated creatives.  i immediately hoped for the opportunity to answer some of those questions myself. and so began an email exchange and, recently, the thought, wouldn’t it be cool to turn the tables and allow nichole the chance to answer a few questions?  she’s committed to sharing and showcasing the work of fellow artists, and it seems that work (as well as her personal artwork) should be shared and showcased (and honored) as well.  and so i introduce you to nichole…

can you tell us a bit about the Embody Your Muse project?  what exactly is it?  what inspired you to create this generous and gorgeous space?

Embody Your Muse is evolving. I started it as an online presence for the coaching I’ve been doing for roughly 15 years, and have plans of expanding into in-person and online creativity workshops. I know so many creative people, and connecting them is a huge passion of mine, so workshops seem perfect.

As for the blog…it’s a way to showcase some amazing creatives…to get their work out and connect them with other people. It’s a great way for me to connect with local creatives as well, since my husband and I have a photography business, and take the feature photos for almost all of the creatives! I have a huge appreciation for everyone that is featured on my blog. I can’t remember if I mentioned this to you or not, but I read every interview carefully. I tear up when I read about things people have gone through or are going through, laugh at the light bits, and have the highest hopes for them. I really appreciate every single creative.

in the interview features at Embody Your Muse, you ask artists some wonderfully thought-provoking questions.  i’m going to turn one of them back to you:  what does creativity mean to you?

Interesting you should ask that, since the very reason I started asking the question was to help frame my own relationship to the word! To me, creativity is taking different ideas, and bringing them together in a new way. Nothing seems to be fully new at this point, but ideas rehashed in interesting, innovative work. It wasn’t until I came to that understanding that I saw myself as truly creative. People would tell me I was creative, but I just couldn’t see it.  Regardless, I love creativity, and I love being around creative people.

i know, as an artist, you love to play with different media.  i’m quite taken with your sound waves embroidery…can you tell us a bit about that work?

I learned different forms of hand stitching in my younger years, but stopped, because it was too “crafty” for me. I wanted to be considered an artist, not a crafter. Then, roughly four years ago, I saw a photo of a piece done in Bargello – an old Italian form of embroidery – and that was that. I taught myself how to embroider Bargello. Who cares if I’m considered an artist, artisan, or crafter. I’m happy! **

More recently, I had the idea to embroider sound waves – music clips – in Bargello.  That idea evolved into other sound wave projects, including my favourite, fetal heartbeats (suggested by my husband!). There is something so sacred and intimate about that work. My current sound wave project is personal…one of my mantras combined with sounds of the ocean. I will wear it around my wrist, as a constant reminder. All my work at this point is finished as either a cuff (bracelet), or to be framed. ***

like you, i love inspirational quotes.  can you share one of your favorites with us…maybe one that you turn to again and again, or maybe a newer one that has wiggled its way into your heart?

I have to choose? Oh, my.  “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver.  I consistently resonate with that one.

now a few fun ones…

what’s the weather like in your corner of the world today?

Today was incredibly gorgeous. I believe it was in the 70’s, and I also believe we’re in for a cool down pretty soon.

what did you eat for breakfast?

Decaf coffee with milk and Demerara sugar. I usually go for something more substantial (I love eggs and hash browns topped with mushrooms, onions, jalapeños, and any other vegetables I have on hand), but my morning went a bit differently than planned before I left to photograph a client. I made up for it, though!

what music are you digging lately?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Imogen Heap, Tori Amos, Beats Antique, James Blake, Bon Iver, Florence and the Machine, the list goes on and on. Oh, and there are Anthropologie and French music playlists on Spotify that I play often. I love music.

if you close your eyes right now, what word comes to mind?

Wild.

good, yes?
next wednesday (october 29) i’ll be over at embody your muse answering a few of nichole’s questions.  i can’t wait!
for now, have a good day and a good weekend.  and, of course…

sending a little love your way, m

Nichole McVeigh is an artist with an unquenchable love of learning.  She gives women permission to inhabit their passionate lives through creative coaching and photography, and she makes memories tangible through custom hand-embroidered sound waves.

you can connect with nichole at embody your muse and on her facebook page .
you can find lucent vignette photography {the story of art through light} here and here.
and…you can find her on etsy right here.

** nichole recently had a bargello cuff project included in the Mollie Makes Embroidery book.
*** nichole does custom embroidery.  you can find the contact form here.