ARTIST STATEMENT
My artwork is meant to tell a story and I enjoy taking even the most morbid tale and adding strength and hope to it through color. I especially enjoy using technique to add to my story. For example, using contrast or the stippling technique to add drama and depth when my story requires it. My art is often inspired by music, as well as growth, resulting in my depictions of lush and wild plant-life. My digital collages are created by digitally manipulating many different images and piecing them together to create something entirely new. I consider my collages to be visual poems that the viewer can interpret based on their own feelings.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Nicole Van Dyken, is a mother of 4 small children including twin boys. With her husband, they live in Chicago, Illinois. After a career in Human Resources, Nicole made the decision to become a stay at home mom. This allowed her to rekindle her passion for art. Nicole has now committed to dedicating more time into her passion and making it more than just a hobby. In 2018 she achieved her goal of being accepted as an exhibitor at ArtPrize, a 19 day international art competition in Grand Rapids MI, which was great in getting her name out as an emerging artist. Nicole is now a 4-time ArtPrize artist. She enjoys using a wide variety of mediums including pen, acrylic paints, pastels, pencils and even digital applications. Nicole’s artwork is along the lines of surrealism and is often inspired by music.
© Nicole Van Dyken