We first came upon Nicolaus Myers‘ artwork at Fountain House Gallery, where we were immediately drawn to his distinctly raw expressionist aesthetic. After further viewing his paintings at the Outsider Art Fair and then at Culture Lab LIC, we had the opportunity to meet up with him and pose a few questions to him:
When did you first start painting?
Although I’d always been into music, I came late to art. And even though my grandmother was a folk artist, I never did anything until I took a painting class in college.
What was that like?
I didn’t like the class. I couldn’t follow instructions, but I discovered that I loved to paint.
What inspires you to keep creating art?
Everything. I love owning a piece of my life that doesn’t have any rules.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
I love Tom Waits — both his music and his photography. I also like the late Chuck Close, and I am a fan of Basquiat. I also love the Spanish artist Salvador Dali.
What about your cultural influences? Can you tell us something about them?
I come from a family of carnival folk and prostitutes. My mother told me that her great great-grandmother came to the US from Wales. And because she needed money, she started a brothel. She, herself, then got pregnant and her child became a circus performer.
Is there a central or overall theme that ties your work together?
Absolutely! It reflects a world I don’t understand. Stories of folks who live really rough lives.
How has your artwork evolved in the past few years?
I’ve gotten much better at telling a narrative story — either mine or someone else’s.
Have you a favorite piece of what you’ve created?
Yes. “Where Fear and Hope Converge” — I painted it in 2023 with acrylic on burlap and exhibited it in the recent Fountain House Gallery exhibition Meticulous Markings.
How long do you usually spend on a piece?
Generally around four weeks. When I’m off from work, I can paint 14 hours a day straight.
What percentage of your time is devoted to art?
About 40%. When I first return home from my “day job,” I spend time with my family, and then I return to my painting. Luckily, I don’t need much sleep!
What are some of your other interests?
I play the guitar and I love music — everything but polka!.
We’ve seen your paintings at Fountain House Gallery, at the Outsider Art Fair and just recently at Culture Lab LIC. Have you exhibited elsewhere?
Yes! In a range of places — from alternative spots to established galleries. About 40 in total, including spaces in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
How important is the viewers’ response to you? Is it important to you that others like your work?
Yes and no! I’d like them to like it, but it’s more important to me that my work is honest and that I can feel proud of it.
What are your favorite media to work with?
Oil paint.
What is your main source of income?
My work as a psychiatric nurse.
How does your family feel about what you do?
My wife is amazing! She and my son are great about it.
What do you see as your role as an artist in society?
My role as an artist is to share a world most people don’t know about.
Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with Tara Murray; photos of artworks by Lois Stavsky
