Artist Profile: Nicole Braun

Artist: Nicole Braun
Business name: Wink
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Websites:
Wink
Nicole Braun

How do you describe your work, Nicole?
My work spans bright, cheery portraiture and journalistic event photography, to chic and modern stationery. Often times the photography and stationery collaborate to create holiday cards, invitations and social notes. Our stationery is unique in that I often take a photograph and transform it into a graphic element.

I chose the name Wink for my business because I like its short and distinctive sound, as well as its connotation. A wink is very much like the service we provide- an alluring fun way to communicate.

What is your creative process like?
My creative process for photography is fairly routine, once the photos are taken. For stationery design, I ask many questions of my client to determine the look and feel they are going for. I like to listen to music at my desk as I find it transporting, experimenting endlessly with colors, graphics and font until everything on the page clicks. Then I send the draft to my client for feedback. It typically takes 1-2 revisions before going to print.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
Aside from a degree in photojournalism and art history from Boston University, I worked as a studio assistant for legendary fashion photographer Arthur Elgort for three years. It was during this time that I honed my skills in printmaking as well as graphic design. I also learned to stay true to your vision and not take yourself too seriously!

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
My cameras and Photoshop!

What inspires you to create?
I was born with the desire to create. Since I was a little girl, I designed clothes, created packaging for mix tapes, took photos, etc. It’s in my blood. Both of my grandmother’s were artists (one a painter, the other a sculptor and designer). My grandfather was in the bookbinding business which I attribute my love of fine paper to, and nearly everyone in my immediate family is an entrepreneur.

I have such a strong memory of when I was around ten or eleven years old. My friend and I modeled clay into buttons. I lived down the street from a famous button store called Tender Buttons. I decided that we should try to sell our buttons to them. I got out the phone book to find out where we could have business cards printed. We took the Third Avenue bus to a stationer and had business cards made in an hour. We named ourselves B’s Buttons, for my friend’s first initial and my last. We took our cards and buttons in there and made a sale! So, the need to create, and vision to have my own business has been lifelong.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
What inspires through the difficult times of creating is my passion for my craft and belief in my vision.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
I think the best way to improve is constantly refine your vision, and practice! Photographer Juergen Teller had a great quote when he said that you need to know what you want to convey before you take a picture. Like life, photography is largely about choices. Know what you want to communicate before beginning a project.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Meeting with current and prospective clients and managing my business.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
My favorite comfort food is pasta. My favorite hobby is cooking!