Artist Life: From Screens to Swirls Inside My Cleveland Studio

I talk a lot about the finished pieces, the highly reflective foils, and the bright wearable art, but today I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at my physical workspace here in Cleveland, Ohio. This desk is the control center for Design by Nissa, and it perfectly represents my journey as an artist.

If you look closely at the left side of the photo, you will spot a white mug that says < strong > coffee < /strong >.

coffee strong>", which is an HTML coding joke." />

That little HTML code joke is a leftover relic from my past career. For over 15 years, I worked as a web designer and developer. My days were spent staring at a sterile screen, typing lines of code, creating graphics and building digital spaces for clients.

Now, look at the rest of the desk.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/UtorxilYYxQ?si=4svsZDn0h2uepzPq

The screens are still there to help me run the business, but the digital world has been completely overtaken by the analog one. Instead of a keyboard being the main focus, my desk is covered in vibrant acrylic paint pens, a hand-painted frame covered in blue and purple swirls, and a fresh sheet of reflective gold foil cardstock just waiting to be transformed.

Stepping away from the strict, rigid structure of digital design to create fluid, swirly, organic shapes by hand has been the most joyful career pivot of my life. There is a beautifully chaotic energy to physical art. It requires movement, getting paint on my hands, and letting the bright colors guide the design.

This creative space is where I get to pour all of my positive energy into 100% human-made art. Whether I am drawing a new floral-inspired pattern or prepping a piece for its forever home, this desk is where the bright colors come to life before they make their way to your walls and wardrobes.