Nichole Kathryn Studios
Niki Woehler
Passionate and prominent Valley artist who specializes in acrylic on canvas and resin
How did you get your start in the art industry? Jumping into art was a monumental leap of faith, and my start is entirely thanks to my wonderful friends and family. They are the ones that encouraged me to pursue my passion. They not only gave me courage, but they were my first customers, my biggest advocates.
What is the most rewarding part of your career? I can’t choose one, so I will share my top three. 1. Seeing the joy on my client’s face when we hang their art in its new space. 2. Being able to teach my children that you can do and be anything you want in this lifetime. You just have to have courage, work hard, have integrity and believe in yourself, even when that little voice in your head says otherwise. 3. A completely unexpected reward of doing what I love is inspiring others to have the courage to do what they love.
What are your thoughts on the Valley art scene? If I’m being honest, my feelings are a little bit of a mixed bag. It was disheartening to watch so many of the galleries close their doors, especially in Old Town; however, there seems to be a ground-level revitalization happening, and that is invigorating! More and more, I’m seeing art being celebrated, and local artists being given a voice. The Found:Re, dedicated to showcasing art from local artists, opened a couple of years ago, and it’s amazing to see. From the new murals popping up all over the city, to partnerships with local businesses infusing their spaces with original art, to the airport and light rail showcasing local artist talents, and magazines featuring established and emerging artists, it’s all very exciting.
What do you envision for the future of the Valley as a whole? I see young people coming for a great education at ASU and the downtown U of A campus, and they aren’t leaving anymore. They’re staying. With youth comes vitality and growth. We’ve all seen our restaurant scene becoming world-class right before our eyes. I see communities growing and flourishing. It’s a really exciting time to live here.
What influence do you hope to have on the Valley? Personally, I would love to be a source of inspiration for anyone who's on the fence about following their dreams. I’ve had quite a few brand new artists see my story somewhere and reach out with all sorts of questions, and I’m always incredibly honored when they do. I think we’re all here to help each other, and I’m more than happy to share what I’ve learned along the way.
In what ways do you give back to the community? In addition to donating paintings to some of the Valley’s wonderful charitable organizations like Make A Wish, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their annual galas, I am the Art Explosion lead for Gigi’s Playhouse. Every month, I have the privilege of teaching art to kids with Down Syndrome. Each month we focus on a different artist/medium, and the kids go home with their own masterpiece. It’s one of the most beautiful and rewarding things I get to do.
