Tag Archives: unemployed

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

I Support Human Handmade Art Sticker Packs Just Dropped! 🚫🤖

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Exciting news! You’ve seen the t-shirts I designed to champion the message for us artists that “AI can never replace our human touch”. Well now there’s an additional way to support this mission with my new Anti AI Art Sticker Packs!

So whether you’re an artist, an art lover, or just someone who values what makes human creativity so special, these sticker packs are your chance to really stick it to the bots! Use them to deck out your car, laptop, water bottle, sketchbook, or anywhere else you want to show off your support for human creativity.

Each pack includes 1 sticker of each of the following designs:
✨️ 3″x 3″ I Support Human Handmade Art Circle Logo
✨️ 3″x 3″ Living Dead Girl Nicole Bride Circle Logo Holographic
✨️ 3″x 3″ I Support Human Handmade Art Circle Logo Holographic
✨️ 6″x 1.64″ I Support Human Handmade Art Logo

Every sticker is professionally printed on premium vinyl with a permanent adhesive and coated with a protective laminate, making them waterproof, scratch-proof, and built to last. They come in holographic sealed packaging (as shown in the photos above), making them perfect for gifting!

In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves of what makes us human. So if you’re ready to stick up for us human artists, purchase your sticker packs (and made-to-order t-shirts) for a limited time in my Etsy shop or in person at a discounted rate* at Closet Collectibles in Crete, IL. Don’t forget to also share this post to help spread the word.

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.

I Support Human Handmade Art Shirts Just Dropped! 🚫🤖

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In a world where artificial intelligence is making waves in every corner of our lives, there’s one thing I believe we can’t replace and that is the human touch. That’s why I’ve designed my latest T-shirt collection to show support for what truly makes my art special, its handmade, human origins.

Long before AI, I have always prided myself in the fact that I only use design software when it comes to creating graphics for marketing and mockups (even these shirts were designed this way). My portraits are hand drawn on paper using pencils, charcoal and pastels. My paintings made with canvas, paintbrushes, and paint. My creations sculpted and glued with my very own two hands (with the hot glue gun burns to prove it). My work literally carries my fingerprints and that is something no computer or algorithm can ever capture.

And don’t get me wrong, AI can do a lot of things. It can generate and mimic shocking realistic visuals, craft music, write poetry and even create an actor for your next feature film. So much so that it’s now become harder and harder for us creatives to find employment (I should know as I am still looking for my next opportunity), but it can’t replicate the soul, emotion, or the way us human express our true selves in our work. That is why it has to steal from us in order to “create”.

These “I Support Human Handmade Art” shirts are more than just clothing, they are a statement to champion for us creatives who pour our heart and souls into our work and carve out new ways of thinking and seeing the world. They’re a representation of the spirit of individuality and rebellion that has always fueled creative work. So whether you’re an artist, an art lover, or just someone who values what makes human creativity so special, these shirts are your chance to wear your heart on your sleeve for us.. literally.

In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves of what makes us human. So if you support the idea that creativity should come from human hands, lets start a revolution! Support me as an artist, share this post, and order one of these statement shirts in my Etsy shop today!

Stay Strange & Magical ✨️,
LDG Nicole

Tomb Doors Now Open for Portrait Commission Art 🚪⚰️✨

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Your likeness deserves more than an algorithm, and your walls deserve more than pixels. AI bots and computer programs can’t capture your soul’s spark… but guess what? I can! ⚡️✨

🚪 The doors for a new employment opportunity have yet to open up for me, so I have decided to open up my own tomb doors for portrait commissions! That’s right! Reserve your spot now for a hand-drawn black and white 8″x10″ portrait. First come, first serve. Contact me directly for pricing and details! ⚰️✨

🧠 Reminders: The magic of real human art doesn’t happen instantly on an app. If you need a portrait for an event or gift, plan ahead to allow time for the creative process (+ shipping delays) so your custom artwork arrives to you on time. Also, clear close-up images are a must to get the most soulful and realistic portrait possible. Like all of my custom orders, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to ensure the client is committed before any work begins. 👩🏻‍🎨✨

Stay Strange & Magical ✨
LDG Nicole