Holly Nowak shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Holly, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
What are you chasing? It’s a question that seems simple, but it invites a deep dive into the essence of our pursuits and passions. After navigating the ups and downs of Covid shutdowns, enduring the aftermath of a fire, and facing the departure of studio mates, I stood at a crossroads. It was tempting to surrender, to give in to the accumulating setbacks. Yet, despite it all, I chose to embrace the uncertainty with a sense of delusional optimism, to persist in my pursuit of being an artist.
I took a leap of faith, deciding to go solo and take over the studio. This is my dream: to create art, to share it with others, to have a space where my work is visible, and to connect with the public. It’s about more than just selling art; it’s about nurturing other artists and teaching new and aspiring creators. However, even as things seemed to align well, I found myself wrestling with anxiety.
In a rare moment of pause, I asked myself, “What am I truly pursuing?” The thought of everything unraveling—the studio closing, my art unseen, unsold, uncared for—clouded my mind. These fears, as baseless as they are, are potent reminders of how anxiety can warp our perspectives.
Yet, a comforting realization dawned on me: even if it all fell apart, I would still be an artist. Being an artist is not just a career; it’s an identity, a way of life, an indelible part of who I am. It’s a state of mind, as essential as breathing. This understanding brought me immense comfort and reinforced my resolve to chase my passion because the essence of being an artist isn’t tethered to external successes or failures. I am an artist in spirit, in mind, and in life, no matter what happens.
This reflection reminds me that the pursuit of art is a journey more about the process and less about the destination. Even if everything changes, the core of who I am remains steadfast. And that is a reality where fear and anxiety lose their grip, freeing me to continue the pursuit with renewed courage and clarity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a fifth-generation native Texan with a passion for art that has been nurtured by a wonderful and supportive family. My husband, Chris, whom I’ve known since the second grade, and I have been married for over 30 years and have two amazing kids, Zane and Izzy, who are now 20 something’s venturing into their own life pursuits. Recently, I’ve taken a significant step in my artistic journey by becoming the sole owner of my studio Holly Nowak Fine Art Studio and Gallery, nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic arts district inside Winter Street Studios at Sawyer Yards, the largest creative community in the United States.
This transition marks a vibrant new chapter for me, filled with inspiration, creativity, and a sense of independence. I’m thrilled to open my studio to my devoted collectors, enthusiastic students, and emerging artists seeking guidance. Every week, I host “Watercolor Wednesdays,” providing a space for exploration and learning. On the first Saturday of each month, I welcome guest artists to give talks and share their work, fostering a dynamic community of creativity.
In addition to creating art in my studio, teaching private lessons and accepting commissions, I actively participate in exhibitions and collaborate with other galleries. My studio is open to the public by appointment and during our regular open events every second and third Saturday of the month.
Despite the challenges and losses faced over the past several years, I’ve discovered immense opportunities for growth, resilience, and bravery—qualities I didn’t fully realize I possessed. This journey has propelled me onto an optimistic and energy-charged path, filled with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m eager to continue sharing my art and experiences with a broad audience, inspiring others along the way.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
That’s a profound question. Before the world started to shape its expectations around me, I was someone unbound by definitions or destinations—a curious and imaginative spirit, driven by a passion to create and explore. My journey doesn’t have a distinct beginning or end; it is defined by the evolution in the middle, where growth happens. Over time, I’ve realized that I am in a continuous state of evolution, becoming a more enriched version of myself as a friend, wife, mother, and artist.
Every experience, both good and bad, has contributed to who I am today. There was a time when I viewed the difficult times with resentment. However, I’ve come to understand that those challenges were instrumental in shaping my resilience and strength. Each obstacle and setback, every job that didn’t fulfill me, and every uncomfortable lesson learned were stepping stones that fortified my ability to rise after every fall.
These experiences taught me that life is an ongoing process of change, where learning and growing are constants. The wisdom I’ve gained from people and occurrences around me—whether through joy or adversity—has been invaluable. They have helped me to pivot when necessary and strive towards a better self.
I am not done evolving or growing, but I embrace all the past versions of myself and the lessons they carried. I am confident in my ability to face future challenges, and I do so with excitement and enthusiasm. This current version of myself is the culmination of love, understanding, bravery, and resilience. I look forward to navigating life with creativity, gratitude, and an open heart, ready for all that comes my way.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely, there have been moments when I’ve almost given up—almost every day, in fact. Life is a relentless teacher, reminding us that no one is spared from heartbreak, stress, tragedy, or difficult relationships. When these challenges arise, we’re often faced with two choices: succumb to despair or rise above it. Allowing adversity to consume us only robs us of the opportunity to demonstrate our courage and resilience. That path leads nowhere worthwhile.
In the face of hardship, I pause to understand my reactions and forgive myself for any missteps. It’s crucial not to dwell in guilt or let fear anchor me, but instead to recognize my intrinsic worth and push forward. Every step away from darkness towards hope, love, and growth is daunting, but that’s where true transformation happens. Those first steps pave the way for genuine joy, resilience, and confidence, and they are the foundation for a better version of myself.
I’m aware that many future moments will tempt me to quit, but giving up isn’t an option. Life is ever-moving, with or without our participation, so it’s vital to pull ourselves up, learn from every experience, and continue stepping forward. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that what feels like it should break us often makes us stronger. It’s hard to see the silver lining when you’re engulfed in the storm, but keeping faith in the journey reveals that there’s always a reason, always a lesson, waiting to propel us forward.
With every setback or disappointment, I’ve come to understand that hidden within is a lesson that can lead to growth. It’s challenging to find the good amidst the bad, but invariably, something positive lies ahead, just beyond the horizon. This understanding makes facing tough times more bearable. So, no matter how daunting the path may seem, remember—you’re braver and stronger than you think. Keep moving forward, and allow those experiences to shape you into a resilient, wiser, and more empowered version of yourself.
The reason I paint bison so often is based on this lesson that I’ve learned. When facing an oncoming storm bison are one of the few animals to keep moving, directly into the storm rather than standing still and allowing the storm to overtake them. By walking through the storm with faith and resilience they are actually find themselves on the other side , with less wear and tear than if they had frozen and stood still allowing the storm to consume them. They are resilient creatures and ones you’ll always find in my work.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Faith
Family
Being true to myself
Seeking beauty and inspiration through nature, travels, cooking, gardening, friendships.
I’m a dreamer, a doer and I love the constant pursuit of my dreams.
Seeking to learn from everything, apply it to my life’s journey and continuing to grow, learn, understand and create.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
A perfect peaceful day, always involves family, nature, food, animals, color, and learning new things. I love traveling with my family. I love simple days in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes like a mad scientist with a movie on that I’ve seen 100 times and a thunderstorm outside the windows. I love finding myself completely lost in a painting at 4:30 in the morning, and not realizing the birds are singing and the sun is beginning to rise. I love meeting new people, new cultures, new landscapes, and discovering who lives there what creatures inhabit that area witnessing and being inspired by new things, history. A road trip with good music singing off key at the top of your lungs will cure most anything and work out all the kinks. A perfect cup of coffee on any patio, deck, terrace and I can’t leave out a raging bonfire under the big Texas sky full of stars.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollynowakfineart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollynowakart?igsh=MThwNWFtM214eWtqZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWdNJjqh1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Holly Nowak
