We had the good fortune of connecting with A.P. Nuri and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi A.P., we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
How much work and time is put into every piece. The growing fad within the Western world is the idea of passive income, that you shouldn’t have to work to make money. So many people have lost touch with the importance of quality and honoring those who work hard so others can enjoy leisure and beauty. If there was something I wish every customer who viewed my products knew, it would be that spending time on something one loves is not only work but it makes those handmade products priceless.
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.
There’s no right way to be an artist in today’s market. You can be an artist that makes money or an artist that creates for the sake of creation. But I consider myself to be more of a creative influencer than an artist. I love the business side of art, but have faced many difficulties being a multi-racial female. I found that I work best when I am in control of my own brand and business. And as much as I wish my business was expanded and wasn’t just resting on my shoulders, I’ve learned to love what I do with time and input from others. Seeing how my art impacted other people (not the people who said my art looked pretty, but the people who saw my art and squealed with delight) forced me to reconsider the constant tape in the back of my head that said I wasn’t enough, that my art wasn’t contemporary enough, that I didn’t have a niche, that I didn’t have enough money to get exposure. The world is hard enough to navigate, why should I cloud my chances of success with negative thoughts that I can control? It took time, but now I’m at a place where I love my work, whether I’m making money, have a niche, am contemporary, or not.
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?
Oh man. So many places. I’m a native Arizonian so I’d tailor a lot of my trip on what a person enjoys. If they gave me full reign for a day trip: -Brunch at Prep & Pastry in Scottsdale. -Lunch, coffee, and a pastry from Lux Coffee on Central Ave. -Dim Sum Dinner at Jobot Coffee Bar -Second Dinner & drinks (who doesn’t have second dinner?) at Little Rituals. Arizona has some amazing shops that have popped up in the past 6 years, and these are on the top of my list along with so many other honorable mentions like Lola Coffee, White Rabbit, The Ostrich, and AZ Wilderness Company.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I mean, how do you thank friends and family when their love is so unconditional? My parents out of everyone deserve the most gratitude, a thank you is a massive understatement for all the ways they have encouraged and moved me forward. My husband and life partner whose eyes light up every time he sees my work, who can’t shut up about my work to everyone he knows. The friends that have brought me expensive art supplies simply because they knew I needed them. All of these people are invaluable, a gift I never asked for, but received nonetheless and I couldn’t be more thankful for all they do.
Website: www.apnuri.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/apnurir