Nicole Bricker, an artist hailing from Minnesota, has cultivated her passion for both media and painting throughout her artistic journey. Graduating with a BA in Radio TV Film Studies, she embarked on a professional career in the media industry while simultaneously pursuing her artistic aspirations. It was during this time that she decided to enhance her skills and delve deeper into the realm of oil painting, leading her to study at the esteemed National Academy of Design in New York. There, she honed her craft by immersing herself in the practice of painting from live models – an artistic tradition that continues to inspire her to this day.
Bricker’s artistic endeavors have been showcased in various notable exhibitions including Lyman Allyn Museum in New London Connecticut, Rosalux Gallery in Minneapolis, and Dacia Gallery in New York City. These opportunities have allowed her work to be appreciated and celebrated by diverse audiences, further establishing her presence as a skilled artist. Bricker is currently a Resident of the Canopy Program in which she was the recipient of the James Bernard Haggerty Scholarship for her dedication to service and commitment.
Based in Redding Connecticut, Bricker not only resides in this vibrant artistic community, but also finds inspiration in its surroundings. Her artistry continues to flourish as she creates captivating works that embody her unique perspective and creative vision. Through her ongoing exploration of painting, printmaking, collage, and photography, Nicole Bricker captures moments of beauty and significance, inviting viewers into a world that merges nostalgia with ingenuity.
Statement
At the core of my artistic practice lies the construction of mixed media works that include paintings, printmaking, collage, and photography to express narratives that encapsulate life and emotions through the exploration of nostalgia. I am driven by a deep-rooted fascination with the often overlooked and dismissed moments of existence which I aim to elevate and imbue with significance. Through eavesdropping snippets of conversations and interactions, I gather stories that reveal the beauty and poignancy of these ordinary instances. Through my artistic endeavors, I strive to present fresh perspectives and ignite profound visual dialogues.
When embarking on a new project, no matter what the media, I draw inspiration from firsthand experiences. These serve as the foundation for my creative process, allowing me to delve into the depths of expressive emotions and intricate narratives. The journey unfolds with a digital or charcoal drawing of what will become the final piece. That idea is conveyed onto a substrate through the exploration of medium to solidify the narrative. As I progress, I incorporate layers constructing a multi-dimensional composition that evokes dynamic rhythms and movements often with paint as a base. The interplay between various artistic media like found objects and drawing allows me to amplify textures and create a visual tapestry.
My creative oeuvre, encompassing paintings, prints, collages, and photographs, mirrors the minutiae of life itself, eliciting a nuanced fusion of comfort and distress. The concepts explored in my artworks are fluid, in perpetual motion, intricately entwined with the struggles and triumphs that shape their narrative trajectory. By urging viewers to engage in a contemplative pause and closely scrutinize my pieces, they may unravel a profound understanding of the evolutionary metamorphosis encapsulated within each creation.