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news and LATEST RELEASES FROM NIKI MCQUEEN ART
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First and foremost, I would like to thank your for your support this year, and wish you all the best for 2025.
It's been a hard year for many, and I hope for all of us, that we can go forward with hope into the next quarter of this extraordinary century.
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This edition constains a little more than normal...a short newsletter, latest work and a little retrospective of some of my favourites from 2024 :)
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2024: A YEAR TO REMEMBER
I won't sugar-coat it, it's been a challenging year, and I don't know anyone who would disagree. I laugh looking back at bemoaning 2020 then 21 then 22 and 23! Not that its been all bad, either, just challenging. And I invariably find that challenges mean growth in the end.
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By far the highlight of my year was a sponsored trip to America to see The Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer, with whom I have collaborated since 2022. I don't know if it's possible to describe America in words if you're not a level 20 wordsmith, it kind of hits you like a majestic, candied freight-train. I won't forget it until my dying day - I still plan to write a proper account on my Patreon, but life very much got in the way on my return, and I haven't had a chance yet.
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LOOKING BACK
I've gained a lot, I've lost a lot, I placed twice in the Vuleka finals, I have sold work that was hard to part with, many prints, and signed with 2 new galleries! I've moved more times than I care to count, but I've been blessed in that the inspiration to keep creating has never left me. At times it was all I had left.
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I've gained an autism diagnosis, which is no small thing. To say that turned my world on its head would be an understatement. I've learned I'm not the only late diagnosed autistic who has struggled with identity and grief, and that becoming comfortable with the idea takes years in some cases. It's had good and bad consequences, and my strongest allies in this struggle have been you, my community, knowledge and informed advice from the neurodivergent community, and a great deal of compassion for and from self and others.
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The other massive challenge has been facing and accepting the possibility of losing my mobility. A friends started a fundraiser with Gofundme to raise money for the operation that I'll need to address the SEL diagnosis, and I am also looking into possible alternatives which have since come to light, which will mean seeking a second opinion. Both options are well beyond my means, and if you're able to assist at all, every cent makes a difference xx.
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The fundraiser is here, with detailed updates on my progress to date.
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WHAT'S NEXT?
After much reflection and some serendipitous offers, next year, especially the first 6 months, will be dedicated mostly to self-care, recovery and trying to take back my stride and get myself on my feet (literally) or, if I'm unable to do that, learning to live without my legs.
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It may mean a move out of town into a farm cottage, if I'm very lucky. It will certainly involve a lot of hard work on myself. I can say for sure, that for the first few months, there may not be much art in the offing. I have said it before, but given what I need to accomplish next year, the thought of keeping up my artistic productivity is not realistic. My muse likely needs a rest too :P
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Never fear! My portfolio (or the work I'll admit to creating!) is pushing 400 pieces, all of which you can see on my website. These are all available as:
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- limited edition (3-5) original handmade variants (available now or to order),
- limited-edition, signed Fine Art prints (Giclee on Hahnemule Photo Rag, 20 each), and
- unsigned posters (open edition, branded).
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SIGNED PRINTS: INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
I discovered, after an exhaustive search of printers overseas, that despite the export costs, it is still cheaper for me to print in South Africa and export signed prints, than it is to have my limited edition printed works made overseas!
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For those of you in the USA, there are still some beautiful signed Fine Art prints (Giclee printing on Felix Schoeller True Fibre Matt) available at reduced rates and domestic postage costs IN America, which a good friend is managing for me. They are in my store, here.
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These are some of the beautiful Hahnemule prints made by my printing partner Print Art.
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SIGN-UP FOR A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES
If you would like up-to-date news, behind the scenes information and free gifts for subscribers, please consider joining my Patreon. Membership is free and premium content starts at only $1 per month. This platform is not only my closest community / art tribe, it is central in guaranteeing a stable and predictable income which, for an artist, is an absolute lifesaver, enabling me to keep creating, and cover the costs of living where I can.
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THANK YOU
Next year will mean a slight change to my business model, my maze of a website, and a new approach to life as a whole...exciting times await!
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I had a very quiet festive season. It's not my fave time of year, and I spent it doing what I love. I hope yours was joyous, happy or at least manageable.
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I wish you nothing but the best for 2025 - may we all forge forth into lighter times.
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I want to take one last opportunity to thank YOU, my buyers, my donors, my patrons, my supporters and my friends. Without you this art would not exist, trust me: without my buyers, donors and patrons, there would be no ink to liven the page. Without my supporters and friends, there would be no encouragement to follow my dreams when times are dark. The spark of inspiration would dim and fade – you are my light and hope.
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A special thank you to all of you who have bought art and prints from me this year – you have kept the food on my table, and a roof over my head. A lot of what I make from art, goes back into making art, because that, is what I am: an artist. It is my purpose and passion, and I consider myself amongst the luckiest ever to have found it and have been able to follow it and that, friends, is thanks to you.
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My deepest gratitude, and all my love,
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Niki McQueen
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LATEST WORK & 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
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Inks and mixed media with underprint on Fabriano Artistico 640gsm HP Watercolour paper.
Unique edition: commissioned work
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There are days when everything breaks. When something happens that can't unhappen; where you see something you can't unsee; you feel something you can't unfeel; you do something you can't undo, or say something you can't take back.
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I tried a whole new technique today. This is a study for my next work. Available.
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Size: 28 x 38 cm Medium: Inks and mixed media with underprint on Fabriano Artistico 300gsm HP Watercolour paper. Original handmade variant: 1 of 3 Status: Gifted This work placcd in the top 40 of the Vuleka Competition, held annually in Cape Town. BUY: For original work or print queries, contact Niki directly.
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Gold lives in her eyes. Not warmth, but the divine
light of knowing, the sovereign right to choose.
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THE BIT AT THE END
ABOUT THE ART
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All the work you see here is created using mixed media with an underprint on Fabriano, Artistico 300gsm or 640gsm paper. These are available for purchase as original artworks or as archival, museum-quality fine art prints. You can view my full portfolio at nikimcqueen.com
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ETSY
A limited selection of my work is also available for international buyers in my Etsy store, in various print formats at nikimcqueenart.etsy.com. (South African buyers please contact me directly for prints.)
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CONTACTING ME
If you have any queries or would like a quote, please feel free to respond to this email, or WhatsApp me on +27721417007.
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WHY DID I GET THIS EMAIL?
You’re receiving this email either from signing up on my website or because we’ve connected through art.
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This is a monthly digest of my latest pieces. If you don’t want to be on this mailing list, please click on the Unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email, and I offer my apologies for the inconvenience.
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ON THE SOCIALS
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