Nichole Westfall aka Coco
Meet West Virginia artist Nichole Westfall, aka Coco!
Tell us a little about yourself!
This is an interesting point in my life, where I am transitioning into going by a nickname. For the time being, I go by Nichole aka Coco. I’m based in Huntington, West Virginia. My interests include: finding macarons, looking at taxidermy, and listening to the Magnetic Fields “69 Love Songs” album on repeat.
What drew you to your craft?
I experienced a slow draw to muraling. Since college (2014 - 2018), I’ve been interested in making large work and installation. At first, this interest presented itself in a mixed media format — making cardboard paintings, fabric sculptures, and wallpaper. During this time, I had the opportunity to work on a few murals. I loved the physicality of it — making and experiencing it. It wasn’t until 2021 though, that I decided to concentrate on making murals specifically and to make it my full-time career.
Describe your studio space. Where do you like to create?
I visualize my practice as if I’m a snail, or more so, a hermit crab. My studio space changes often. Each time I work on a mural, that area must become my studio to some degree. Sometimes, I’m able to work on pieces at home, and spend a shorter amount of time on-site — just installing and touching up those pieces. On the other hand, when painting directly onto a surface, I must stay in that area for the duration of the project. Sometimes, that means that I live in a hotel, and my materials live in the car. I’ve had more permanent studios at home in Charleston and Huntington, at Base Camp Printing Co, the West Edge, and in the Tamarack Foundation’s extra space. I’ve had temporary studios in the Culture Center, the Juliet Art Museum, the Parkersburg Art Center, and every site that I’ve installed a mural in / on.
What is your favorite thing you have ever made?
My favorite thing that I’ve ever made are these horrendous coffee mugs that have animals painted onto them, but they also have these sculptural human-like faces. These are so dear to my heart, because there was no intention besides making me laugh. I would describe them as darling (and slightly creepy).
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be an artist.
How would you describe your creative process?
Explorative. I’ve had to learn to “let go” at many stages in the process. I like to view everything as an experiment — it helps me come to terms with things being imperfect, and it gives me the permission to try things when I’m curious.
What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago?
That it’s not as hopeless as it feels. Keep making, and nothing you do is pointless. Even if you don’t master it, it will still help your art-making practice. It’s okay to experiment, and it’s okay to let people down. Expectations aren’t rules.
Why do you love doing what you do?
I love what I do, because it feels so outside of myself. Making public art fills what I need in my life — allowing me to express myself and make things look the way I’d like them to. But! It also allows me to separate myself from the work. It becomes something in the world that I literally have no control over. I may make it, but I don’t live with it. The community lives with it, and it becomes something else to someone else. I just love decorating, and I also love being outside.
Why is it important to support local artists and makers?
By supporting us financially, you’re also supporting us spiritually. Your support allows us to continue to make and to be able to spend our time and energy working on our craft/process. You also show others who would like to allow themselves to have that time/space that it’s a valuable skill. Being an artist is being vulnerable, all the time. Having a support system helps us keep going, it lifts us up, and it gives us someone to celebrate with.
You can find Coco’s work in the shop, including prints, stickers, and original painting cutouts from the Point Park Mural in Parkersburg!
