Nick Tijerina

In the words of the artist, Nick Tijerina:

A little about me. I grew up as the eighth child in a family of ten. We were originally migrant workers until my father found a job in a local factory and we planted roots. I grew up in mid-Michigan, went to school, college, US Air Force, several different jobs, two marriages, three kids, and a partridge in a pair tree. Oops, I meant now I have been retired for four years and have started to revitalize my dormant art endeavors. I say dormant because my art endeavors have always been with me, but working, growing a family, screwing up a couple of marriages takes some time, so some of the things I’ve liked to do had to be put on the back burner. Now that my kids are grown, doing well and I’ve made a half-way decent life for myself, I can do the things I want to do.

With all that, now my plan is to do art as I meander towards the sunset of my life. Drawing, painting, sculpture and writing some bad poetry are the things I like to do. My intentions are to pursue and hopefully improve my skills in these areas. I have little desire for fame and fortune, so doing these things are mainly for my own pleasure. I think this is the key. Do what makes you happy. Some people want fame and fortune, others solitude. Find what you like to do and just do it. Do it while you have the time, health and energy. I have been blessed so far in my life that sickness or a bad accident hasn’t ruined my body or mind. Those two things are beyond our control and we don’t know when either one of those two things will lay the hammer down on our lives and ruin the quality of your life. So, do what you can while you can, you only have so much quality time. My father had a saying that I try to live by all the time, “Do the best with what you got, because that’s all you’re going to get”. Peace, Love and Happiness to you.