Interview: Leeds artist on discovering purpose later in life

Nicolas Dixon, a self-taught artist from Leeds, previously owned a tiling business as well as being a DJ and producer before finding his calling in abstract art later in life. He has been commissioned to paint a 100 ft mural inside Leeds Kirkgate Market.

1. What is your greatest achievement so far?

It is probably discovering later in my life that art was the thing that I was put on this earth to do. On a practical level, even though I have not started it yet, I have been commissioned by Leeds City Council to paint a 100 ft wall mural inside the iconic Leeds Kirkgate market as part of their £14m refurbishment. I’m due to start work on it the first week in September, so watch this space!

2.Favourite place to paint?

I love painting in warm climates (usually Ibiza) with a nice big blank canvas or wall.

3.Worst place to paint and why?

On a really small canvas in a dark & dingy place (usually the UK)

4.If you could paint on anything in the world what would it be?

It would have to be the moon! It would be great looking up every night wherever you may be and seeing my work light up the sky.

5. How much does a place inform your art?

The place is integral to my art because my work is quite abstract/surreal and there is a lot of feeling and energy that goes into my work. For example I do a lot of private commissions for people in their homes/villas, sometimes on canvas but usually on a wall. Within that I will incorporate abstract symbolism relative to the person and space, which is totally unique to them and their surroundings.

6. What’s your favourite medium ?

I’m a painter so obviously it’s painting but, I love installations that can connect with surroundings and people. This is something I will be exploring in the not too distant future.

7. Who is your favourite artist?

Although I’ve always had an interest I have never been a massive follower of art. As an artist I try to keep my art as pure and honest as I can but it is inevitable that you pick things up subconsciously.

A lot of people say that my work reminds them of Keith Haring but if you look at it, it is nothing like it but I think it’s the colours and that my art has a similar energy . It is no coincidence that I like Keith Haring’s work. Although I like Picasso, Miro, the madness of Dali & the symmetry of MC.Escher too. More currently though there is a street artist called Okuda San Miguel who does some amazing work

8.Who/what has been your biggest inspiration?

It has to be finding my purpose in life at a later age. It wasn’t until 5 years ago that I found my true calling and began my career in art. After starting my adult life as a DJ/producer back in the early 90’s , I took the decision to turn my back on that path and go live in Germany with my then girlfriend who was an artist and first encouraged me to paint.

After a couple of years we went our separate ways and it wasn’t until a good 12 years later, feeling quite disillusioned with the world having had a couple of other occupations (none of which I felt were for me) including my own tiling business, that I picked up a paintbrush after a chance meeting with my now creative group of friends.

One of these friends was an artist, Mikey Brain to whom I showed my sketchbook from my time in Germany.

The next day we collaborated on a painting and within six weeks we had organized an exhibition and out of the 15 pieces we had put together we sold six of them! That’s when I realised the path, even though a long one, was the right one and the rest so to speak is history.

This is a story that I like to share with people and hopefully inspire and encourage them to follow their heart, and do what they really want or should be doing.

Find out more about Nicolas on his website .