We recently had the chance to connect with Nila Jane Autry and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nila Jane, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
There is beauty everywhere in this world. It’s unavoidable. What gets painted isn’t enough. I could spend every day, all day, painting. Sadly, connecting printers, and other of life’s demands, seems needed as I work to find those who love my paintings enough to part with their hard earned cash to own one. No painting of mine is finished until it finds a home.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Eternal Oils ~ by Jane is my business name. Oil Painting is my passion. Flowers are my subject. Realism, sometimes photorealism describes my work. The colors, the shapes, the light and shadow, it all speaks to me. I can tell you more about me and my business best by sharing my artwork with you.
Art Festivals are my favorite venue. I’ve shown in galleries in the past, but sadly, I never know the person that buys my artwork in that setting. Art Festivals allow me to meet my collectors, to get to know them personally, and to create lasting relationships…if that is what they want. Some collectors like to remain anonymous, and that’s OK. Getting to know people who love my artwork is a fabulous blessing. My life is enriched significantly through these connections, and hopefully so is theirs.
Currently I have just finished 2 paintings, Sunflowers, one in black and white the the other in full color. They will fly off the wall at my next venue, which is the Honey Harvest Festival this weekend in my hometown.
I’m also preparing for the ‘Inspirational Artist Associations’ yearly event at the Utah State Capitol building in November. This is a Christmas showcase, and is really classy. I don’t fit in very well, as most of the artists paint stories from the Scriptures. I believe I add another dimension to the show, people all over the globe love flowers, and need them in their art collections as they bring light and love to their surroundings.
My home is set up like an Art Gallery. I love to open my studio/gallery to collectors, and new friends.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Shout Out to my Dad! He’s beyond the veil now, but still influences my work and my self-confidence. He was a Band teacher in the public school system, and a brick and rock mason. Rock masonry is an art, he built many mansions in Park City, Utah. He also built many of my first frames.
It was his support and belief in me that kept me feeling loved and valued. I’m the oldest of 9 children. I took my first art class in high school as a junior. There I found myself. With my Dad and Moms full encouragement and support I went off to college to become an Artist and an Art teacher. College was invaluable, as I was able to develop at strong sense of self, and a great work ethic. All I learned about Art happened in the professional setting as an art teacher, and the many art workshops offered both professional development as part of the school system, and the many other art workshops I’ve attended since I retired from full-time teaching.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”
I really believe that this is my problem…I don’t reach out when I should, and talk to gate-keepers with confidence. There are so many things I need to change to become who I can truly be. People see me as self-confident, and calm. Inside I’m boiling over with ability and dreams. But I get sidetracked with life’s demands as a Wife, a Mother, a Grandmother, musician, gardener, chief cook and bottle washer, laundress, and all the stuff life demands. Hire out some help? Not happening. I’m a superstar and I can do it all. NOT. I need some help here! But I don’t know who or how to ask. So instead of working Smart, I work Hard! But I do love my life! and I do love to accomplish…anything counts. Except connecting my printer to my laptop.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
This truth is the most absolute truth anyone can grasp…We are all Children of God, He is our Heavenly Father and loves us. I know He is pleased with me and helps me succeed in all my righteous endeavors. He loves all his children, and flowers prove it! There is nothing he and I together, cannot accomplish. I pray every day that he will guide my footsteps, and my paintbrush, and lead me along. He has promised me that if I let him prevail in my life, I can accomplish what I came to this beautiful Earth to do. He has asked me to touch peoples life through my artwork.
My artwork testifies of him. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
I want to shout from the rooftops…but my shy nature keeps me quiet. When people genuinely admire my artwork, and need my help trying to decide what they can afford, I simply want to give it to them. There’s no complement so powerful, as when someone trades their hard earned money for one of my paintings. I try not to sell myself short, but really, if I never made another penny on my art business I would keep painting. Creating beauty is just who I am. My Dad said so, and so does my husband and my Heavenly Father.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.” That’s because we are children of God. “With God as our spiritual Father, it only makes sense that we were given a part of one of His greatest gifts and abilities: Creating.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nilajaneautry.com
- Instagram: nila_jane_autry
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/nilajaneautryfineart-eternaloilsbyjane
- Youtube: @nilajaneautry
- Other: Find me at local Art Festivals!
Image Credits
April Gailey
