Welcome to the Artist Lounge!
A cozy online space to grow your art practice with heart, joy, and a little guidance from Nicki Traikos of life i design.
Slowing down in the art making process and creating room to make art more often. When you sign up as a paid member, you’ll receive an email on Tuesdays, twice a month. They are typically sent out in the mornings an offer a variety of things like; an invitation to live painting sessions with Nicki, as well as PDFs with projects, posts to offer inspiration, techniques, how-to’s, and direction designed to help you with your art making.
Subscribe to get full access to all posts, challenges, community, tutorials and publication archives hosted on Substack. ($15/USD per month)
Hi, I’m Nicki!
Hi, I’m Nicki Traikos, artist, author of Watercolor Made Simple, Watercolor Made Simple Workbook, and founder of life i design. I am best known for my online watercolor and sketchbook classes designed to make art simple, joy filled and fun! My goal with everything I teach is to make art approachable, and to encourage my fellow artists to explore, grow, play and enjoy their creative practice!
I created The Artist Lounge as a way to offer an online space to artists to help nurture your personal art practice. Whether you’re just getting started, or coming back to your creativity after a break, The Artist Lounge is here to support you.
In my own journey, I’ve learned that making art isn’t just about skill, it’s about showing up consistently, trying new things, and creating a practice that feels fulfilling and fun, especially when we are in community here on Substack!
Never miss an update!
New posts are emailed twice a month on Tuesdays, and are sent directly to your email inbox or you can view them on the Substack app.
The first of the month includes:
An introduction to the month of our theme, along with a printable PDF that will guide you through things like exercises, traceables, instructions and guidance to get your creative juices flowing as you prepare for our new month.
The third Tuesday of the month includes:
An invitation to join Nicki live for a live painting session where we create together for a few hours, hang-out, chat and enjoy studio time together. (Note the months Nicki cannot be live, there will be a recorded tutorial to guide your art making process). If you cannot join the live session, we email the recording the following day along with a “Creative Spark” to help you with creating for the rest of the month.
Here is where you have direct access to Nicki, the community of fellow Artist Lounge members and access to all previous lessons, PDFs and more.
When you download the Substack app, you get access to our community of fellow artists as well as all the previously shared content since May 2025!
For a spam-free, reading experience, plus community features, get the Substack app.
What you get when you join The Artist Lounge!
Get access to tools designed to help grow your personal art skills and making your personal art practice more enjoyable by…
🎨 Themed monthly creative prompts to inspire you to paint regularly as you grow your art skills
✍️ Traceables or inspiration to take the guesswork out of what to create create next so you can get right down to making art
🧠 Creative Sparks that offer encouragement and insight into what an artist works on in their personal art practice
💬 Live art making sessions/monthly recorded tutorials, where you can ask questions and connect with Nicki and others in our community
🖌️ A behind the scene look at my personal art practice and business to help you more along your own personal journey
👩🏻🎨 Connect with fellow artists through commenting and sharing your thoughts, what you are working on and encouraging others in the Lounge when using the Substack app
💛 A gentle nudge to play, explore, and enjoy your art making your way
Enjoy the archive of past theme
My favorite part about The Artist Lounge is being part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the Chats, comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
I don’t know about you, but I am craving more connection and community myself. This is where you’ll get direct access to me, your host, Nicki!
Whether you’re exploring new mediums, experimenting with your watercolor art style, or just craving a consistent rhythm in your art making, The Artist Lounge is here to support you!
No pressure. No perfection. Just inspiration, community, and creativity, one post at a time.
Subscribe now to begin a more joyful, relaxed, and inspired art practice, right from your own cozy studio space.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
xo,
Nicki
Refund & Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your subscription anytime through the Substack app. Your membership will remain active until the end of your current billing period. Refunds are available within 7 days of payment. After 7 days, all payments are non-refundable. For any questions, please email us at hello@lifeidesign.com. Please note that if pricing increases and you decide to re-join the Lounge, you will be signing up at the higher price point. Prices are not guaranteed.
