J-O-Y at AOS

NORWALK — Something that seems to be missing in the busy, chaotic world we live in today is peace. Norwalk artist Nikki Paliwoda finds peace in art, and at Artists' Open Studios on Main Street. Artists' Open Studio, Inc. is a nonprofit providing local adult artists with developmental disabilities a space to express themselves through art, specifically in painting and hand-built ceramics. The newspaper had an opportunity to watch Nikki in action at the studio and came away with insight into not only her art, but also into the place she describes as her "joy place." The studio website describes Nikki as liking "to draw different scenes or figures" but on the day a reporter met up with her, she was doing something different: making stones. The project is called "worry stones" and involves Nikki taking a bit of clay, rolling it in her hands into a sphere, flattening it out and using her thumbs to make an imprint on each side. She then might inscribe a short message in the clay with a stylus. Each is then glazed and fired, leaving a colorful "stone" with two places to put your thumbs, a sort of "fidget spinner." Nikki explains that holding the stone can help people feel "secure" and "less anxious." "They feel something cold and smooth in their hands and it makes people feel joy and happiness," she said. "It's like holding someone's hand or something, and it can make you feel less afraid." Nikki, who works with mixed media, paint and markers, has found a new favorite medium in clay. "I like how it feels and how it is to work with," she said. Nikki showed a reporter several mixed media pieces she made, including a paper and glue piece showing benches placed around a tree that she describes as "peaceful" and one she calls a "fashionista poodle." "I like the poodle picture, I just wanted to see what a poodle would like if it was owned by a real fashionista," she said. Following the thread of happiness in her art, she also shared a piece of "scratch art." Nikki took a piece of metal with a coating on it and scraped the coating off, revealing the metal below. Nikki scrapped hers into a scene of flowers in a field. When asked why she chose flowers, the theme reappeared. "They make me so happy to see," Paliwoda said. "I really like flowers, they really make me smile." Nikki takes inspiration from the seasons and holidays for her work, especially her color palette. She enjoys "the colors of fall" and the "quietness" of winter. When asked about her favorite holiday, she seemed excited to talk about all of them, but there was one definite winner. "Halloween is my favorite," she said. "But Easter and Christmas are close. I like Halloween because it is in the fall and the changing leaves are so pretty and my birthday is in September, so it is really close and I like how it brings everyone together. I also really love pumpkins, hayrides and all of that fun stuff." Nikki credits the staff at Artists' Open Studios for helping her "learn art things" and for creating a safe and welcoming environment. She wants to see more residents try art and reiterates that art can be "fun" and AOS is full of supportive and friendly people, both artists and staff. "Believe in yourself and the people here are really inspirational and supportive of you, just give it a try," she said. "Sometimes it's scary to try something new but you should come try, it's peaceful and joyful and really brings out a smile."