SMASHING HISTORY

Nekea Blagoev is a Local, State, National & Internationally recognised artist and an award winner from Mackay, Qld, Australia.

Nekea is known as an Inspirationist and Imaginist. Nekea is a full time artist and runs her very own successful art business called, Get Smashed Art.  

Nekea's most recent accomplishment was when she was asked in September of 2017 by Acting Superintendent, Nikki Colfs on behalf of the Queensland Police Service to create an artwork representing Mackay to present to the Commissioner of Queensland Ian Stewart.
The artwork "Home Of The Platypus" will now be displayed and be a part of the Queensland Police Services art collection In Brisbane, at Head Office. The presentation took place with the Executive Leadership Team along with honoured guest Mayor Greg Williamson of Mackay.

Another recent achievement in 2017 is: Two of her artworks have been chosen to be published in the upcoming text book "Educating students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Partnering with families with positive outcomes" by Sage Publications.  Associate Professor & director of Special Education at the Biola University, School of Education, in California, USA, Robin LaBarbera Ph.D. is the author of this text book that will be a learning source for many educators.

Nekea was invited by Aspect Australia to participate in the Asia Pacific Conference hat was held at Sydney's Darling Habour Convention Centre, September 2017. Nekea was on the Creative programs committee and took part in an online group to help organise the APAC artistic talent show. Nekea also designing the Image for the APAC merchandise bags and exhibited her artwork at the Asia Pacific Conference.  

Nekea had her artwork purchased for the Guest Key Note Speakers, Chair-Person's and Youth Co-Chairperson's as Thank you Gifts at the Australian Association Of Adolescent Health's 2017 Youth Health Conference, which was held at the Aerial Function Centre of the University Of Technology Sydney, NSW, from 6th-7th July 2017. A fully framed, In-Disguise hand signed, limited edition print, was also presented to the Key Note Speaker Tim Sharp, who is an Internationally Acclaimed Artist and the Creator of Laser Beak Man. Tim also received one of Nekea's "Fire Fox" Black T-shirts and a special Get Smashed Art Gift card with a personal hand written note from Nekea to him. Tim Said he was delighted to receive such a generous gift! The Hon. Brad Hazzard MP, NSW Minister for Health was a special guest at the conference as well. Special Thanks goes to Geraldine Dyer - Vice President Australian Association of Adolescent Health for choosing Get Smashed Art as the Exclusive Gifts Of Choice for the conference. 

In March 2017 Nekea got an award for the "Women Who Make Us Proud" Awards at the MECC in Mackay. Nekea received this award for Extraordinary Achievements.  

In April 2017 3 of Nekea's artworks were chosen by Award winning renowned cake artist Shannon Bond from Cake Designs, based in Olathe, KS, USA, also Judy & Lindsay Reimer Owners of IncrEdible Addiction Cakes  from Deer Park, Texas, USA, & Shannon Davey owner of the Happy Cake in Torrance California, USA. They all transformed Nekea's artworks into edible art and made designer cakes. They were made to raise awareness for Autism through "Sugar Art For Autism" and were featured in the popular cake magazine "Cake Decoration & Sugar Craft magazine".

The Early Childhood Teachers Association in Mackay has asked Nekea to be the Key Note speaker at their up and coming conference in her local town of Mackay in August 2017. Nekea has also been invited to be a speaker at the Annual General Meeting for Ideal Placements in Mackay in September 2017.

Nekea was approached by the "On Track Magazine" for the 2017 edition to be their exclusive artist of choice and be published in their magazine. A full page spread featuring Nekea's artwork and a write up on her latest creations & achievements.

Nekea was invited to the 2016 Aspect National Recognition Awards in Sydney held at the Radisson Blue Plaza Hotel. Nekea stood alongside famous football players, doctors, teachers, authors and musicians just to name a few and Nekea was the National overall winner for the Individual and significant achievement award.  

For Australia Day 2016 in Mackay QLD, Nekea was nominated for the Australia Day Citizen of the year and the Arts and Cultural award. Nekea was presented with the Arts & Culture "Encouragement award" by the Mayor of Mackay Nekea was nominated amongst another 105 nominees. One of her artworks, The Butterfly Effect is now a part of the Mackay Regional Councils art collection.

Another one of Nekea's achievement is, she travelled to Brisbane after being nominated for the Creative Futures Recognition Awards in December 2015. She was a finalist & invited to Government House, Brisbane, to Meet the Honourable, His Excellency Paul De Jersey AC & Mrs Kaye De Jersey on 3 Dec 2015. Nekea was the overall winner for the Individual Achievement Award for her ability to overcome challenges and provide inspiration to all who meet her. Her "In-Disguise" artwork is now a part of the collection of art at Government House.

Nekea was invited to do an interview at the Sea Fm Studio with Jay & Dave in 2016. They set a challenge for Nekea to draw a portrait of them both. Nekea had 3 days to do this and then was asked to come back to the studio to present it to them. They were overwhelmed and thought it was incredible, so they arranged for the portrait to be exhibited at the Mackay Local Regional Art Gallery Art Space and people were invited to go and view it and take a selfie and put it up on Nekea's Get Smashed Art Page. All participants went into the draw the winner won a fully signed print. The original will be donated to charity to raise funds.  

Nekea has been interviewed by The Daily Mercury several times, The Daily Telegraph and the Mid Week News papers. She has also been interviewed by well know local radio announcer Kim Kliedon from the ABC Tropical North and Jay & Dave from Sea FM Mackay radio and also on Anca Canadian Radio. She has been featured on channel  7 Local news and a story was also published about her on the ABC news.

Nekea also donates alot of her time in raising awareness, inspiration & motivation to specialty organizations. Nekea also donates her artwork to charities such as Head Space Mackay, Zonta Club Mackay, Spinal Injuries Mackay, American Autism Association, Autism Highway, Mackay Autism Support Group, All Abilities, Aspect Australia and has only just recently designed the logo for Autism Queensland's uniforms & T-shirts. Which also went on sale during Autism Awareness Month to raise funds and will continue to do so. 

Also Nekea donated T-shirts designs to Paper Clouds Apparel to raise money and awareness to individuals on the autism spectrum & supplied Autism movement therapy with donations and jobs for people with disabilities. Nekea also donated 2 artworks to the Mackay Fire Team Special Olympics team for the Mackay Mayors Charity Ball and raised much need funds for the team.  

In August of 2016 Georgia Knoll who has down's syndrome became an internet sensation when she photo bombed channel 7. Georgia also has a dream to be a famous model. Nekea went about to help Georgia's dream come to life. Nekea arranged Hair, fashion, Make up & Nails & music by various local businesses in Mackay & did a complete photoshoot on Georgia. Channel 7 grabbed the story and photos and featured Georgia and Nekea's Photoshoot the following night on the Mackay Local News at 6pm. Since then Georgia has cat walked modelled for Multicap fashion able parade and North Jacklin Mercedes Benz Fashion parade.

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) have chosen 2 of Nekea's artworks and have put them on greeting cards and bookmarks that will go to approx 20,000 of their clients & supporters all around Australia.  

Nekea has also shared her ability with the younger generation on the spectrum by doing workshops and was even a judge at one of the junior art exhibitions and donated all the prizes as well.  

Nekea also donates her time as a speaker only just recently she was asked to speak at The Windmill on a panel and spoke to over 100 attendees on how parents can understand their autistic children better from an adults point of view on the spectrum.

Nekea has been asked to participate on the Ask and Adult Panel once again at the Autism Information Expo held in November 2016 at the Ocean International and also exhibited her artwork on the day.  
As this was such a huge success Nekea was asked to speak again on the panel in Feb 2017.  

​ Nekea was also asked to "teach the teachers" and be a guest speaker at the Head Of Special Education Services "HOSES" general meeting at the Government building in Mackay. Nekea shared her insights and knowledge from her childhood with the teachers and gave them an inside out view that could help them understand, use her techniques and idea's and take them back to the class room to help future generations on the spectrum.  

Nekea has since been asked back by the Head Of Special Education to participate and exhibit her artwork at the Inclusive Education Conference that was held at the Mackay Entertainment Centre in October 2016. Also 27 of her Aztec designs were chosen by HOSES and made into trophies as special gifts to the 27 guest speakers on the day.

 In September 2016 Nekea was invited to speak at the Mackay North High school to the students about reaching for your dreams and goals and believing in yourself. She also held a workshop with the students and they sketched drawings together.

 In October 2016 Nekea was asked to speak and share her artwork and do a workshop with all the children at the Pioneer Valley Kindergarten.  

Nekea launched a T-shirt drawing project for all to be involved in September 2016 school holidays with all funds raised going to Autism Support Group Mackay. Nekea presented the proceed cheque to the Mackay Autism Support Group on Council Grounds at the Water Fountain and Mayor Greg Williamson attended and helped with the presentation on the day.  

Mackay Rotary Club invited Nekea to be their guest speaker at the Ocean International to tell them all about her artwork and career and how she has overcome challenges and inspires others. She was such an inspiration to all that they did a 2 page full spread write up in the Rotary News letter.  

Nekea also contributes to the Question & Answers section called "Ask and Adult"  in the Autism support groups newsletter for 5 years. Which gives parents & carers and inside out view of her mind and gives the parents a relief that they can ask somebody questions that actually lives and breathes it.

Nekea is an advocated within the Autism world and is really sheading light on the subject.  
Due to the popularity of this Q&A's section Nekea has now started her own online Q&A facebook page called "The A Word". Chanel 7 saw this page on facebook and immediately responded by phoning asking to interview Nekea all about "The A Word".

Her piece of artwork called "In-disguise" from her "Off ya tree" series has become an overnight internet success with over 10,000 likes, 2000 shares and thousands of people commenting and wanting to buy her artwork in just 24hrs! It has sold to collectors in Australia, USA, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, UK, Denmark, China & England . Collectors are still ordering and purchasing these prints to this day.

Nekea's artwork titled "Within a Bubble" was solely chosen out of many other contestants to be presented on a USA postage stamp. Nekea won the privilege to have her artwork converted onto a postage stamp that went all around the world on envelopes.

Nekea's artwork has also been replicated as a chalk drawing in America California as a feature in the renown annual Chalk festival.

Nekea's artwork is also on display at Kevin's Singaporean Restaurant in the City Heart full time and fills the walls with her magical artwork for collectors to purchase & admire. Her artwork is also on display at Head Space Mackay and Auswide Bank Mount Pleasant.

Nekea has had 3 sold out exhibitions and several group exhibitions and was one of the Mackay Art On Show People's Choice award winners in 2011 & again in 2014.
Her artwork at the Art On Show Awards has also been featured on channel 7 local news.

Nekea has also built an 11.5mtr smashed glass bar at one of Mackay's night clubs. 
 Nekea also painted the walls of Mackay's Time zone with designs. 

Her artwork has been exhibited in a gallery in Yorkshire UK as part of the Wakefield Art walk.

Nekea's artwork has been on tour in China for the last 6 months of 2015 at the International Physiology conference of Traditional Chinese Oriental Medicine & Creative Arts Therapy in Beijing, China. They were exhibited in several universities and galleries through China.

Nekea was introduced to Crossroad Arts who in turn led her to a scholarship grant through Arts Queensland and was chosen as the Starburst recipient of 2011.

Nekea has also had her artwork published in some of the top selling books & magazines here in Australia and overseas. Such as Dr Tony Attwood's book, "Been there, done that, try this", Featuring Temple Grandin. Also, she is in the HeArt of Autism, "Shifting Perceptions" by Deborah Hosseini. Featuring alongside Tim Sharp (Laser Beak Man). Also she has had a four page spread in the Australian Network  Magazine & a published poem in the book,  Perspectives compiled by James P Wagner & Mark Rosen.  

Nekea has also designed the front, centre and back of the Autism Highways adult colouring in book in America along with 9 other international artists who contributed inside designs, just in time for the annual 2016 Chalk Festival in California.

 Nekea also has Aspergers Syndrome/ Autism. Nekea has been mostly non verbal & has struggled with communication skills & social interaction for most of her life and has only just started communicating confidently from the age of 28, via blog talk radio which she ran for 6 months and helped a lot of people on the spectrum, Nekea interviewed doctors, authors, teachers, therapists, positive motivational people and well known people in the autism community such as Wendy Lawson, Josie Montano, Allison Gaskin and Kelly Green and many others.

Most of her communication has been expressed through her artwork. Nekea Blagoev said she is so relieved since she was diagnosed with Aspergers/Autism at the age of 28 in 2011. Finally she had the answers to why she felt and experienced life in a way that she thought was so different to everyone else! Nekea now realises she is not different, just unique in so many ways! Just a different kind of normal. And powering forward and using her creative abilities & talents as a reason, not an excuse to succeed! Nekea is proof that if the dream is big enough, the facts don't count!  

​She also has her own facebook site https://www.facebook.com/getsmashedartbynekeablagoev