Each of my paintings is a process of inquiry, utilizing methods of Intentional Creativity, to bring awareness, understanding and clarity. I see my personal process as a microcosm that can be extrapolated to the world around me. We are living in a time of transformation. The state of our world is a reflection of humanity’s inner state. Difficulties we face personally are directly reflected in our culture.
I am a truth-teller, a feminist, a woman, an activist, an artist, farmer, friend... and I am family.
In short, I see my job as an artist, to:
I remember as a child, hiking through the hills with the family spaniel, climbing trees, lying on my back in the grass, gazing out over the mossy cliffs to the trees and farms below. Sometimes I’d take a sketch pad and pencils... sometimes a journal... but mostly, I would simply sit quietly in the warmth of the sun. It was where I felt a sense of “belonging.”
Although I am primarily self-taught, my education includes years of courses in both fine arts and graphic arts with a diploma in Graphic Arts from Vancouver Island University. My artwork focuses on connecting with ourselves through tapping into the universal life force, as well as understanding and respecting our connection with the earth. It is my hope that my artwork will inspire you to lie on the earth and feel that sense of belonging... to listen to your own inner wisdom and allow it to guide you on your path.
Creating deeper awareness is what motivates me and is the thread that weaves through my artwork, activism, feminism, organic farming, writing, women's circles, founding community groups, volunteering and living as lightly, as sustainably, and as "self-reliantly" as I can on our mother earth.
I have chosen to dedicate many waking hours to sharing my time, in a myriad of ways, to create a better world of deeper awareness and understanding, with the hope of it resulting in a more fair and equitable society.
I am a truth-teller, a feminist, a woman, an activist, an artist, farmer, friend... and I am family.
In short, I see my job as an artist, to:
- Have honest conversations, even when they are uncomfortable...
- To raise my own self-awareness...
- Which in turn, encourages women and girls to reconnect with themselves, remembering who they are...
- And from that place of authenticity, we are lifted. And when we lift women, everyone benefits
I remember as a child, hiking through the hills with the family spaniel, climbing trees, lying on my back in the grass, gazing out over the mossy cliffs to the trees and farms below. Sometimes I’d take a sketch pad and pencils... sometimes a journal... but mostly, I would simply sit quietly in the warmth of the sun. It was where I felt a sense of “belonging.”
Although I am primarily self-taught, my education includes years of courses in both fine arts and graphic arts with a diploma in Graphic Arts from Vancouver Island University. My artwork focuses on connecting with ourselves through tapping into the universal life force, as well as understanding and respecting our connection with the earth. It is my hope that my artwork will inspire you to lie on the earth and feel that sense of belonging... to listen to your own inner wisdom and allow it to guide you on your path.
Creating deeper awareness is what motivates me and is the thread that weaves through my artwork, activism, feminism, organic farming, writing, women's circles, founding community groups, volunteering and living as lightly, as sustainably, and as "self-reliantly" as I can on our mother earth.
I have chosen to dedicate many waking hours to sharing my time, in a myriad of ways, to create a better world of deeper awareness and understanding, with the hope of it resulting in a more fair and equitable society.
Bio:
• Women's Circle Guide, certified with Intentional Creativity - Way of the Red Thread
• Past President of the Errington Farmers' Market, 6 years
• Founder of Nanaimo Women'sShare, a women's time barter group with over 50 members
• Published Synergy Magazine for 10 years, a magazine dedicated to living mindfully and more sustainably
• She and Dirk have farmed organic vegetables, growing 16,000 pounds of veggies, by hand, no-till on just 1 acre for 15 years and have taught many to do the same
• She and her partner, Dirk Becker, recognized in 2009 as Nanaimo’s Top 20 Most Powerful People (surely they mean “influential”?)
• They spearheaded the Bowen Road Farmers’ Market, of which Nicole served as Vice President for 6 years
• Past Co-host of “Heart and Mind: Tools for Change” radio talk show
• Coordinator for three annual tradeshows: "Green Solutions"
• In 2010, Nicole performed "Under the Burqua" in Eve Ensler's "Vagina Monologues" at Vancouver Island University
• In 2007, Nicole was a guest speaker to journalism students at Vancouver Island University
• In 2006, Nicole was a guest presenter for Women’s Enterprise Society of BC, a workshop for women entrepreneurs titled, “Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results”
• Past President of Nanaimo Women’s Resources Society which operated a Women’s Centre in Nanaimo
• Past President of Nanaimo Women’s Business Network
• Past Board Member of the Coombs Farmers' Institute
• Worked as the Community Relations Officer of Mid Island Co-op for 4 years, doing Public Relations, Communications, advertising and event planning
• Graphic designer for 20 years
• Women's Circle Guide, certified with Intentional Creativity - Way of the Red Thread
• Past President of the Errington Farmers' Market, 6 years
• Founder of Nanaimo Women'sShare, a women's time barter group with over 50 members
• Published Synergy Magazine for 10 years, a magazine dedicated to living mindfully and more sustainably
• She and Dirk have farmed organic vegetables, growing 16,000 pounds of veggies, by hand, no-till on just 1 acre for 15 years and have taught many to do the same
• She and her partner, Dirk Becker, recognized in 2009 as Nanaimo’s Top 20 Most Powerful People (surely they mean “influential”?)
• They spearheaded the Bowen Road Farmers’ Market, of which Nicole served as Vice President for 6 years
• Past Co-host of “Heart and Mind: Tools for Change” radio talk show
• Coordinator for three annual tradeshows: "Green Solutions"
• In 2010, Nicole performed "Under the Burqua" in Eve Ensler's "Vagina Monologues" at Vancouver Island University
• In 2007, Nicole was a guest speaker to journalism students at Vancouver Island University
• In 2006, Nicole was a guest presenter for Women’s Enterprise Society of BC, a workshop for women entrepreneurs titled, “Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results”
• Past President of Nanaimo Women’s Resources Society which operated a Women’s Centre in Nanaimo
• Past President of Nanaimo Women’s Business Network
• Past Board Member of the Coombs Farmers' Institute
• Worked as the Community Relations Officer of Mid Island Co-op for 4 years, doing Public Relations, Communications, advertising and event planning
• Graphic designer for 20 years
