Meet Niz | Muralist

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

Hi Niz, how does your business help the community?
I create street art and murals that provide representation to an array of under represented people and issues in society. As an artist I do not shy away from deep issues that a lot of people are afraid to broach. One of the most empowering things for any community is to have presence and to have a voice-and I like to help provide that through my art and through my platform

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At this point in my career what is setting me apart is my desire for complete creative freedom in my expression-I want unbridled, un fettered, uncensored expression-in all forms-visual, spoken, written and in business. I want to bring to light and to the public things that are wanting to be expressed by spirit and by the collective.
The trend right now in street art/grafitti is towards festivals and commercial interests-towards consumerism. This route is stifling to me because it is restricted by other people’s consumer driven wants and desires and generally speaking reduces art to entertainment.
My path to full time artist was hard. I did not have much family support-no financial help from anyone and often had to be my own cheerleader. When I started, I was often the only girl at events. I also became a single Mom in my early art career days so I struggled a lot financially to make ends meet but persevered. I worked as a cocktail waitress at a historic jazz/blues venue in Austin and through that job became connected with a lot of the music industry in Austin, which helped me out a lot.
My big lesson was if you really want something, go for it-persevere. Expect alot of hurdles but don’t let them set you back. Take advice from people who’s lives you want yours to look like…and do something creative every single day-even if it’s just writing an email to a client.

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?
Oooh-I’m a big water and nature buff. I would take them to The AUSTIN Greenbelt, to Krause Springs and to Barton Springs. I would eat at LORO-an Asian Steakhouse lol because that’s my favorite spot. I would also take them to Las Trancas taco truck on Cesar Chavez….
And to Something Cool Studios and The Mexic Arte Museum for art

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my Mom and my Abuelita Teresa for never giving up on me and for seeing the quality of resilience in me. RIP to both. My Aunt Eleanor coached me through the very rough first decade of single Morherhood and art life too. So much gratitude for that. My Dad encouraged me from the beginning to follow my passion. RIP There have been so many people along the way who have supported me honestly-Nate Nordstrom, Mexic Arte Museum, Raasin in the Sun, Something Cool Studios, Few and Far Women, the skateboarding community and my amazing clients.

Website: Www.Nizgraphics.com

Instagram: Elenizzle

Twitter: Elenizzle

Facebook: Eleanor Niz