Category Archives: Drippings

Reflections Of An Artist | 2025 Milestone Recap 👩🏻‍🎨

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Some of you may be setting your New Year’s resolutions right now, however with it still being the dead of winter I prefer to follow the rhythm of nature and set my intentions with the spring equinox, when light takes over darkness, life re-emerges, balance is restored, and creation begins. So for me, winter is the time to dream without pressure and reflect on what I have overcome thus far.

With that being said, this time last year looked very different for me, and what started off on a very high note came crashing down rather quickly. I was so excited to kick the year off with a brand new job where I could finally support fellow artists for a living, only to be led by a CEO full of false promises that resulted in surprise layoffs and the company closing their doors. Despite them being a startup, I jumped all in when the opportunity arose and was quickly reminded why I have never been much of a big risk taker. Having been on my own since I was 18 and always holding a job since I was 15, I was overcome with emotions. I had never lost a job before, especially at no fault of my own, and on top of it, in an industry I was genuinely passionate about. To say it was soul crushing would be an understatement. It didn’t help that it all happened with terrible timing, and I don’t mean just being let go the day after my 44th birthday, but the fact that I was left to hunt for a new job only to find myself tangled in the web of a nightmare job market filled with scammers, hackers, AI garbage, age discrimination, remote jobs that are really hybrid, too many applicants, fake job postings, and most of all, false hopes.

Unfortunately, I still haven’t escaped that job hunting web just yet, but my mindset has changed as I continue to reflect on all the blessings that have resulted from it. For instance, yes, I may have taken a risk, but I also was stuck in a very toxic work situation, and jumping ship to board on with the new startup gave me the push I needed to leave. And although everyone’s time at the startup was cut short, I was blessed to be able to work with an amazing team of women I may never have had the opportunity to meet. I quickly picked up new software and skill sets, and even some great advice and ideas that I now utilize for my own art practice. Most importantly though, I got to experience what it was like working directly with some very talented and well-known fine artists from all around the country, which was something very special that I had hoped to gain from my time working there.

As months passed, one thing remained constant, and that was me word vomiting over and over again about how incredibly grateful I am for my hardworking husband. He has not only been keeping us afloat financially, but he has been my emotional rock through everything, reminding me that just because I am not working full time doesn’t mean I am worthless, because honestly most days thats how I’ve felt. Not having the spending money to enjoy ourselves like we used to or having the ability to save like we were has definitely taken a hit to my self esteem but at the same time allowed me to gain a sense of freedom that money could never buy.

Which leaves me with the one thing I feel this year has blessed me with the most, and that was time. Something I never had before and at times still feel guilty about gaining. When working for other companies, I never had the dedicated time and creative energy I needed to fully invest into my own artwork. Writing this blog alone would have been much different, much shorter, or not even written at all. I would become overwhelmed trying to balance and keep it all together, my health often taking a toll, projects and ideas piling up because it would take me forever to finish anything, or feeling overwhelmed enough to skip the creative process altogether, which would ultimately leave me feeling unaccomplished and unfulfilled.

After being let go from the daily grind, it seemed like whenever I had a confidence crushing moment on my job hunting journey, it would immediately be followed by an uplifting art win of some sort. I now know those were signs from the universe divinely guiding and gifting me with what I had always asked for, it just arrived terribly wrapped in loss and confusion. It was like asking for flowers and the universe giving me rain instead. The seeds were planted. It was up to me to figure out that the glimmers in the rain drops only came if I provided the sunshine needed to bloom. So some days I chose to take breaks from the stress of the job hunt and strictly focus the time I was gifted to work on bringing more of my visions to life. Guilt free.

Since being laid off, I have also gained a plethora of new LinkedIn connections and although a majority of them are strangers in the real world, they’ve truly helped keep me sane. They’ve been there to boost my confidence when venting about job hunting dead ends while also being there to celebrate and support me when sharing my art wins and announcing my new creations. Many have even written up features or conducted interviews about me and my work, and others have actually become new collectors of it. Ironically, most of them may have never even discovered my work had I not been more active on the platform due to my job hunt and the time I was blessed with to focus and really go all in on it this year.

And although I was technically unemployed, I remained VERY busy. When I was not creating, applying or interviewing for jobs, I was putting in hours of unpaid work as an Artrepreneur, which really has put into perspective why it’s been so hard to keep up with everything while working a full-time job.

Top that off with everything else going on in the world, there were many days that made it harder to find the blessings and transform negative thoughts into positive ones. But I found that when I surrounded myself in inspiring environments and spent my time and energy wisely with people who would rather live in the moment than constantly focus on drama, politics, news, and negativity, I felt much lighter, healthier, and creatively motivated.

Refocusing my mindset was important for me as an artist. For instance, did someone physically steal a piece of my artwork and therefore I became a famous artist overnight due to the heist? No, but someone wanted my artwork badly enough that they were willing to risk getting caught and arrested for it.

Did I make a killing on my work this year to the point I could completely live off the income and stop job hunting? No, but I gained a couple freelance gigs that got me by, and both my Etsy and Closet Collectibles sales were on the rise, resulting in many happy dances for a girl who just wants to share her visions with the world while hoping they speak to someone as weird as she is.

So with that, I just want to show my gratitude to everyone that helped these artist milestone moments happen for me over the past “Gregorian calendar year”….

And most importantly, I want you all to know… I’m not stopping anytime soon!


Stay Strange & Magical ✨
LDG Nicole

“Reflections In Green” Kermit Painting Officially Added To The Global Roots Mural Mosaic Layout

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I am excited to share that my “Reflections In Green” hand painted canvas tile of Kermit The Frog has been officially added to the America Connects – Nature’s Reflection mural layout as tile number 1527!

Once the layout is complete the artists who contributed their work will receive notification of when and where the mural will be installed in the spring! So stay tuned!

Missed the announcement about my submission? Read all about it here:

Reflections In Green – Living Dead Girl Nicole’s Mural Mosaic Global Roots Submission

And for my fellow lovers and dreamers who feel a rainbow connection to this piece, there are made-to-order* 8″ x 8″ canvas prints and t-shirts available in my Etsy shop! I also have one 8″x 8″ canvas print currently available to see and purchase in-person at a discounted price* in my Cabinets of Curiosities at Closet Collectibles (in Crete, IL.). This allows my art collectors to not only own a piece of artistic history but to also give them a unique way to join forces with me in honoring Jim Henson’s legacy. 👩🏻‍🎨💚🌍✨

Stay Strange & Magical,
LDG Nicole

*Read more about my “never mass produced” creative process and in store discounted art prices here

Reflections In Green – Living Dead Girl Nicole’s Mural Mosaic Global Roots Submission

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So I discovered that sometimes doom scrolling actually pays off, especially when you follow Instagram profiles that share advice and encouragement for artists and the algorithm hits just right. That’s how I stumbled across Mural Mosaic. As soon as I read about their Global Roots project and how they’ve orchestrated hundreds of collaborative murals involving thousands of artists from around the world, my creative heart yearned to be part of it.

Invented by artist Lewis Lavoie, Mural Mosaic’s Global Roots Project brings together individual 6″ x 6″ canvas tiles, each painted by a different artist, that are arranged to form one large collaborative mural. When you receive your kit, it includes everything you need to paint your tile, such as supplies, instructions, examples, a deadline, and details on how to submit your finished piece.

Each artist is assigned a specific mural project and color that is not revealed to you until you receive your kit in the mail. How fun is that?! For me, I got the color green, which meant I could only use a specific green color palette when painting my tile. I also learned which mural my tile would become part of which will be America Connects – Nature’s Reflection. The subject is completely up to the artist allowing you to be as creative as you would like to be. Between the green color palette and theme, I immediately knew what my heart was set out to paint.

My inspiration came from the song “It’s Not Easy Being Green” that was originally performed by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street. What started as a simple tune about the color green quickly became a heartfelt anthem about self-acceptance. Over the years, it’s been interpreted as a gentle reminder that being different can be hard, but those unique qualities are what make us special. Kermit’s words have resonated with generations and turned this little song into something truly meaningful and iconic. It also felt like the perfect fit for the mural’s nature-based theme. In the original performance, Kermit sings from his swamp in the quiet beauty of his natural habitat (flies and all). His connection to nature, and the way he reflects to find peace in simply being felt like the perfect harmony for my submission.

When I began painting my tile, I kept Jim & Kermit’s message close to heart and this was the end result…

Living Dead Girl Nicole's Reflections In Green Painting

I actually completed this painting a few weeks ago, but with today marking the anniversary of Jim Henson’s passing, it just felt right to wait and unveil it now. Sharing it with my art collectors today feels like a meaningful way to remember and honor the incredible legacy Jim left for all of us.

Working on this small canvas felt surprisingly big. It was my chance to contribute a tiny part to something much larger, a collective celebration of reflection, nature, and creativity. Every brushstroke reminded me of how meaningful it is to find connection through art, even when we’re all painting different pieces of the same picture from all over the world. It is now displayed in my art “space” room amongst a gazillion other things that fulfill my Jim Henson obsession.

For those who would like to follow the journey of the mural process, they have a live grid page where the individual tiles are gradually placed as title submissions come in. The mural location is set to be revealed and the mural unveiled in Autumn 2025! As I get more information I will keep everyone posted.

In the meantime, my fellow lovers and dreamers who feel a connection to this piece, there will be 8″ x 8″ canvas prints and t-shirts available in my Etsy shop and I also have an 8″x 8″ canvas print currently in production for my art collectors to see in person and purchase at a discounted price* at Closet Collectibles (in Crete, IL.) when I do my next art drop!

Stay Strange & Magical,
LDG Nicole

*Read more about my in store discounted art prices here

New Print Options for Living Dead Girl Nicole’s Art Collectors

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Being laid off has given me the time I’ve needed to not only work on commission orders but also re-evaluate how I offer my art to my collectors. After reviewing a multitude of samples from printers, I’m excited to announce some changes and additions to my art prints.

Starting immediately, I will be upgrading my giclee prints from the 49 lb/180 gsm 9 mil glossy paper to a Matte 53 lb/210 gsm 9 mil paper. After comparing several options, I chose this paper because it offers a wider color gamut and a smooth matte finish that provides a glare-free display. Not only does it look vibrant, but it also feels luxuriously soft to the touch. The best part is, it remains affordable for my collectors so my prices don’t have to change.

Along with this paper upgrade, I will continue offering these giclee prints in the 8.5” x 11” size and will now also be adding a 5” x 7” size option as well.

But that’s not all. My collectors now have the option to upgrade to a canvas print in classic gallery style, wrapped around a real wood frame! The texture of the canvas enhances the natural look and feel of the artwork, creating a truly immersive experience wherever you hang it. Plus, no framing is necessary—just hang it and enjoy.

New Canvas Art Prints by Living Dead Girl Nicole

For my online shoppers, you can now start purchasing these new made-to-order print options directly in my Etsy shop.

For my Closet Collectibles shoppers, I will be gradually replacing the glossy versions of my stocked prints as each print sells out. So all future restocks of prints will be on the new matte paper. Additionally, I will have a limited number of canvas prints available to view and purchase at my discounted* in-store prices, starting with my next art drop-off & restock.

I know I say it all the time, but thank you again for your continued support. Every order and purchase means the world to me, especially now, as it’s my primary source of income while I’m awaiting my next career opportunity. Your support has become a true driving force, motivating me on my journey and pushing me closer to fully pursuing my dream—perhaps one day, even to the point where this becomes that next career opportunity. A girl can dream, right?

Stay Strange & Magical,
LDG Nicole

*Price is discounted from online store prices. Etsy listings reflect the unfortunate amount of shop and transaction fees they charge us artists to sell online. If you are local or traveling to Illinois, I encourage my clients to save money and see my work on full display by shopping my artwork in person with my consignment partner, Closet Collectibles where they truly support my creative endeavors to the fullest as their resident local artist.