“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” — Helena Bonham Carter
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After an early career in filmmaking and music (BIO link), I hit an existential crisis that forced me to reconsider the meaning of art in the current state of the world. I still don’t have a definitive answer, but I do believe that art has a fundamental role to play in the global shift we are all caught up in.
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I teach, I surf, and I make stuff. I see artistic creation and surfing in the same way. Genuine surfers don’t need audiences, fans, subscribers, or followers. They’re not seeking recognition, fame, fortune, or approval. They surf for the pure enjoyment of surfing. I believe we should all do the same. To quote Alan Watts, “When a bird sings, it doesn’t sing for the advancement of music, but if somebody stops to listen and is delighted, that’s fine. And so, I talk in the same spirit.“
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This online platform has two wings: niklist.art and thekingdomwithin.blog. The art wing is my creative garden, populated with the creations that come through me. The Kingdom Within contains reference tools and texts that have helped me weather the storms. If you wish to subscribe to updates, you can check out my Substack. This is a labor of love and devotional art. If you enjoy or find any of this output useful, I’m glad.
