Vanessa Nilsson

I create art simply because I have to. It's the only time of day that all worries and overthinking disappear and I can just be in the moment

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You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!

Voting for the Top 15 ends Thursday the 21st of May at 7PM PDT

What is The People's Artist?

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What is your favorite type of art to create?

I’m most drawn to creating narrative-driven pieces that blend realism with surrealistic elements. I love exploring themes of nature, animals, and environmental change, often placing them in slightly dreamlike or unexpected settings. Working in oil paints and wood burning lets me balance detail and texture while creating pieces that feel both immersive and emotionally layered.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find most of my inspiration in nature both its beauty and its fragility. I’m especially drawn to the relationship between humans and the environment, and how that balance is shifting. I also pull from literature, environmental research, and everyday moments that spark a visual idea, which I then reinterpret through a slightly surreal lens.

What would you do with $25,000?

I’d use it to invest in my art practice like larger-scale pieces, higher-quality materials, and creating a collection that I could show in galleries or exhibitions. I’d also put some of it toward growing my art business and reaching a wider audience.

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