Meet Ayla Nichols | Mammography Department Manager & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayla Nichols and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayla, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance changes everyday and to an outsider it may look like there is no balance. A mentor once told me there is no such thing as balance between work and life-only harmony. So long as my husband and son understand that they are my priority everything in life is good. There will always be time to complete a task, project or deadline another day; there may not be another time to watch my son ride a bike for the first time or be present for my husbands promotion ceremony.

Owning my own company gives me a lot of friend when determining this harmony but it also comes with many late nights and early mornings. In order to do what I love (sharing my art with others) I often work long after my son and husband have fallen asleep and well before they wake up. But those long hours pay off every single time a client sends me a reaction video of their loved one opening their surprise custom portrait.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I specialize in making custom portraits and I also create original pieces. Al of my art is digitally created in a watercolor style and most of my pieces are also available on clothing and various household items. It has not been easy at all to get where I am today. I am entirely self taught. From building my website, to learning marketing strategies and analytics, to creating a social media following and a brand reputation all the way to developing my own style and learning new techniques. I did/am doing it all through skillshare, YouTube, Facebook groups, and CreativeLive.

This process has taught me so much about myself. I’ve learned that I’m capable of so much more than I ever gave myself credit for and that when I become passionate about something I will stop at nothing to make it successful.

I am a simple woman, I love my family and making other people happy. I have found deep healing and peace through art and I hope that my art can someday do the same for others. The world is so cruel and chaotic, my brand offers some peace and refuge in beauty and creativity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I really love to explore so I would find a self guided scavenger hunt for us to do. And along that scavenger hunt maybe we’ll find a new spot to check out. I really enjoy momentum indoor rock climbing. The atmosphere is always amazing, the staff is always so supportive and the fellow climbers create a culture worth maintaining (and it’s a great workout). I like animals, I get a lot of inspiration from them so I would definitely stop by the downtown aquarium and then of course we have to hit up some breweries and distilleries like Great Dane distillery or Klaus Brewing Company. Last but not least I’ll ensure the art of Houston is shared by visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, the Silos at Sawyer Yards, Harrisburg art Museum, and Graffiti Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shout out my husband (Joshua Nichols) first. Without him finding my tucked away art in the guest room closet I would’ve never been pushed to start drawing again. I would also like to say thank you to my therapist (Amanda) who gave me permission to be myself and inspired many of my drawings through our sessions (and for letting me draw while she talked me through some deep traumas). Jessica Lopez for empowering me, helping me find my own strength and inner voice. And to Taylor Boeckel, a sister in arms who pushed me to share my art with others and break out of my shell.

Website: PeacefulCreationsShop.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/doodle.ladie?utm_medium=copy_link

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayla-nichols-a64855104

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peaceful.Creativity1/