 Nicki Smith
Nicki Smith was born in Seattle, Washington and
studied ballet with Mary Ann Wells starting at age 7. A Ford
Foundation Scholarship led her to San Francisco where she performed
with the San Francisco Ballet, Oakland Metropolitan Ballet and Santa
Clara Ballet. Nicki also taught ballet for several years in the Bay
Area, produced and stage managed dance performances and
choreographed for local ballet companies. An interest in the healing
arts lead to a career as a California Licensed Acupuncturist and
Herbalist, including several years as a State Subject Matter Expert
writing questions for the California acupuncturist licensing exam.
During all of the above activities Nicki was
drawing, painting and taking art workshops. She studied with
Catherine Anderson, Vesta Kirby and took classes at the Museum of
Natural History in San Francisco. She has previously shown her work
at the Black Hawk Gallery, the Windsor Tomato Festival and in
Sonoma, California. A former member of the California Watercolor
Association, Nicki is now a member of the Northwest Watercolor
Society and the Eastside Association of Fine Artists. The artist
currently resides in Kirkland.
A return to the lush greenery, abundant flowers
and surrounding waters of Seattle Washington has inspired the artist
to pursue her love of botanical subjects and studies of water. Nicki’s
paintings depict serene atmospheres as well as turbulent waters,
reflecting our response to nature’s dance.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
"In my art, I attempt to celebrate the
wonderful natural beauty that surrounds us, and the joy that life
brings. Images of nature, beautiful settings and evocative moments
that bring us to a thoughtful place are my subjects. My art has been
influenced by running through the woods of the northwest as a child,
remembering the aroma of damp earth and the sight of lush greenery.
The salt spray of the sea, the feel of the sun on my face, traveling
to new environments and the beauty of nature are all inspirations."
|
|
