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06 Mar 2026
Right now, I’m deeply inspired by patterns and prints…grids, stripes, polka dots, plaid, especially when they’re layered and unexpected. Fashion and personal style are fueling me in this season. I’m drawn to repetition, structure, and how bold color can transform something familiar into something elevated. Pattern feels powerful to me. It tells a story without saying a word.
I’m incredibly visual, so inspiration can come from anywhere. It might be a client’s phone case, a sweater they’re wearing, a scarf wrapped just right, or even their favorite Starbucks cup. As a Black woman in an industry historically dominated by White and Asian professionals, I’ve learned to see possibility everywhere. Creativity has been both my language and my leverage. I translate everyday moments into miniature works of art, turning ordinary details into something custom, intentional, and bold.
What is something people might not know about you as an artist?
There’s nothing I believe can’t be reimagined on a tiny canvas. When a new client says, “I don’t know if you can do this…” I’m never intimidated. I’m energized. I see nails as small but mighty spaces, micro-canvases that hold limitless potential. There is joy in the challenge. There is power in precision. And there’s something deeply affirming about creating something extraordinary in such a small space.
The journey itself. At 19 years old, I made a decision to bet on myself, long before nail art was mainstream, celebrated, or profitable. At a time when bold nail designs were often dismissed as “ghetto” or unserious, I chose to stand firm in my vision. Twenty-five years later, that decision has allowed me to travel the world, collaborate with brands and celebrities, build generational relationships with clients, and still create space for my family. Being a Black female nail artist in this industry has meant carving out space where there wasn’t always room. It’s meant pushing past stereotypes while maintaining excellence. It’s meant marching to the beat of my own drum, with a brush in hand. And that is deeply rewarding!
I grew up on St. Clair, catching the #1 bus and later driving downtown, always passing that iconic neon DayGlo sign. I remember the brightly painted animals and guitars and how powerful it felt to see color so boldly displayed in public spaces. Neon has been essential to my toolkit for my entire career. It represents visibility. It represents vibrancy. It represents standing out. This is my first opportunity working directly with DayGlo products, and I’m honored to showcase my Cured Artisan Nail Tips using their pigments. There’s something full circle about this moment using the same kind of bold color that once inspired me as a young girl riding the bus, now as an established artist contributing to the culture of color myself.
Want to see more? Check out Chanell's Instagram's @curenail.gallery and @nellboutik
