Nicky Myny's art reflects her vibrant personality—bold, colorful, and brimming with joy.
Featured Artist Nicky Myny discovered the power of art while healing from a medical illness. Fueled by gratitude for life and an unwavering dedication to helping others thrive, Nicky infuses her creative voice into leadership development and healthcare projects worldwide.
She even founded Artkom, a process art studio in Belgium, to spread the transformative power of art throughout communities.
Her large-scale, vivid, and expressive paintings are a vibrant reflection of the experiences and connections that shape her life.
By delving into repetitive processes, Myny "bridges the gap between what is known and what is felt", creating a captivating narrative that brings beauty and joy to everyday moments.
Her work goes beyond the canvas, transcending the boundaries of traditional art. Nicky is a strong advocate for the intersection of art and healthcare, believing that art is a powerful form of medicine.
Informed by research on integrated leadership, good health, and well-being, she strives to be a voice for those often overlooked in healthcare systems.
Her art aims not only to heal but also to expand cultural imagination and foster meaningful connections within communities.
Artwork Archive had the chance to chat with Nicky Myny about her healing journey, healthcare/leadership initiatives, and how Artwork Archive helps her manage her art business.
You can see more of her work on Discovery and learn more about her art practice below.
Nicky Myny, Working on "EMI X01" for Roche 2021©Artkom
Do you have a favorite or most satisfying part of your process? If so, can you share a bit about it?
Sure! My creative process often starts with gathering inspiration from the immediate surroundings and experiences around me.
Once I have an idea in mind, I focus on my preferred medium; acrylic paint, often combined with paper and pastels. From there, my creative process continues taking shape.
My favorite part of the process is definitely the initial steps and layers of painting. For me, it's about this feeling of endless possibilities that comes within those initial layers.
It sets the foundation for the rest of the artwork and allows me to explore different possibilities without worrying too much about the final result.
A blank canvas can be intimidating, but once I start laying down the underpainting, I can see the possibilities and directions that the piece could take. It's very exciting to see this part slowly coming to life.
I try to focus on the process itself instead of the final outcome. I let myself explore different options without worrying about the finished product. It's a great way to break through creative obstacles and get back into the flow of creating.
I think the underpainting is often the foundation and sets the tone for the rest of the piece. So if I get that part right, it can really elevate the entire piece and make it more impactful for the spectator.
I also believe that when someone sees something painted with love and care, it definitely shows in the final product. Hopefully, my audience can pick up on that and appreciate the time and effort that went into creating the piece.
Can you share more about your journey of discovering the power of art while healing from a medical illness and how that experience led you to further pursue art?
When I was going through a medical illness, I turned to art as a way to cope and process my emotions.
It was a way out that helped me to express myself and escape from my reality for a little while.
As I continued to create, I realized just how powerful art can be as a tool for healing and self-expression. That experience really solidified my passion for art and inspired me to pursue it further.
It definitely impacted the way I approach my art. I try to infuse my pieces with emotion and meaning—whether it's exploring themes of personal growth, nature, or the human experience.
I also think it's made me more open to experimenting with different mediums and techniques as a way to further express myself.
It's been a long and exciting journey since then. I've continued to create art and explore new methods of expression.
Through these years, I've had the pleasure and opportunity to exhibit my work and connect with other artists and creatives.
Most importantly, I've found joy and fulfillment in pursuing my passion and sharing my art with others—and I mean literally sharing! I often share the act of creation with others, and it challenges me to come to new results all the time.
You’ve been actively involved in leadership development and healthcare projects around the world, infusing art into these initiatives. How do you believe art can spark change and contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities?
Yes, I've had the privilege of working on some really exciting projects over the years.
From collaborating with healthcare organizations to bringing art therapy to patients, researchers, and doctors, and using art as a tool for leadership development.
I've seen firsthand how art can make a difference in people's lives. Art has a unique ability to connect people on a deeper level, break down barriers, and promote healing and well-being.
I founded a preventative wellness initiative and designed art programs that are tailored to the needs of care providers. Care2Art aims to alleviate the emotional and physical stressors faced by healthcare providers so they can take better care of their patients, colleagues, and most important, themselves.
Through leadership development workshops, I use art as a way to encourage participants to think outside the box and tap into their creativity.
The impact has been incredible—I've seen people find a sense of purpose and emotional release through art, and I've seen teams of working colleagues come together in very powerful ways.
Nicky Myny, 'Hunter Diety', 100 x 150 x 4 cm, 2022
What does success as an artist mean to you?
Personally, success as an artist means staying true to my own creative vision and making work that resonates with others.
It's about creating pieces that evoke emotion and inspire people.
I don't necessarily measure success in terms of sales or social media following (although those things are certainly important), but rather in the connections I've made with others through my art.
When I receive messages from people saying that my work has touched them or helped them in some way, that's what makes it all worth it.
Could you provide some insights into your creative workspace? How does your physical environment contribute to your artistic process?
My studio is actually located within my homes, both in Belgium and in South Africa. I converted one of the rooms into a space where I can create and get lost in my work.
It's not always easy to keep a clear separation between work and home life, but having my studio within my living space allows me the flexibility to create whenever inspiration strikes.
In my case, having a dedicated space to create is essential. It allows me to fully immerse myself in the work without distractions.
I also try to keep my studio organized and clutter-free, which helps me stay focused and productive.
Natural light is also really important to me—it helps me see the true color of my paints and keeps my energy levels up.
Nicky Myny, Working on the project "Aloga" wine label ©Artkom
What about your studio deems it as productive?
It's really important to have a space that works for you—everyone's needs and preferences are different. But some general tips would I have is to keep your workspace organized, even in a “controlled chaos”, incorporate natural light and inspiring texts and visuals, and make sure you have all the tools and materials you need to do your best work.
My paint and brushes are key tools, along with mediums like binder and tape. I also have a lot of writing material that functions as mood boards nailed on the walls of my studio to help inspire me and keep me on track.
The invigorating journey between my Belgian and South-African studios fuels my artistic passion and drive.
Why did you decide to use Artwork Archive to inventory/manage your artwork?
The painting process is just one part of the journey.
Once the piece is complete, it needs to be photographed, cataloged, and preserved so it can be shared with audiences for years to come.
That's where tools like Artwork Archive come in. Artwork Archive helps artists keep track of their inventory, sales, and exhibitions so that they can focus on what they do best: creating beautiful art.
As an artist, it's really important to keep track of your inventory, exhibitions, and sales. It can be overwhelming to manage all of that information on your own, which is why I turned to Artwork Archive.
It's an easy-to-use platform that allows me to keep all of my information on track and accessible in one place.
Nicky Myny Working on the series "Joy through change" ©Artkom
How do you use Artwork Archive on a daily basis?
There are a lot of helpful features, but some of my favorites include the inventory management tool which allows me to keep track of all of my pieces—including photos, dimensions, and descriptions. The Exhibitions Feature is also great for keeping track of where my pieces have been shown. I also really appreciate the Sales Tracking tool, which helps me keep track of my income and expenses.
It's definitely made things a lot easier and more efficient.
Before Artwork Archive, I was keeping track of everything manually, which took up a lot of time and mental energy. Now, I can just log in to the platform and access all of my information with only a few clicks. It's freed up more time for me to focus on creating, which is what it's all about.
I would definitely recommend it. It's worth investing in a platform that can help you save time and keep your information organized. And Artwork Archive specifically is really user-friendly, so it's easy to get started even if you're not particularly tech-savvy.
What advice would you give an emerging artist during this time?
Great question. I know it's been a challenging time for many artists, especially emerging artists.
My advice would be to stay true to your vision and don't get discouraged.
Keep creating and sharing your work with the world in whatever way you can. There are so many online platforms and social media channels that can help you get your work seen by a wider audience.
It's also important to stay connected with other artists and creatives. Joining local art groups or online communities can be a great way to connect with others who share your passion and collaborate on new projects.
Stay passionate and focused on your mission. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and take risks. And most importantly, always remember the power of art to connect people and promote positive change.
If you stay true to yourself and your vision, you can make a meaningful impact through your art.
Nicky Myny, Self-portrait in the studio ©Artkom
Nicky Myny uses Artwork Archive to inventory her artwork, manage her sales, track her exhibitions, and so much more.
You can make an online portfolio, catalog your artwork, and generate reports like inventory reports, tear sheets, and invoices in seconds with Artwork Archive. Take a look at Artwork Archive's free trial and start growing your art business.
