About Nicole Cameron - Visual Artist & Designer

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, I migrated to Australia for the last time in 1990. My love of art began in early childhood, born into an extended family who were very gifted artists I guess my passion for creating runs through my blood. I was influenced the greatest by a family friend Coral Moffat, a talented artist in her own right. Many holidays were spent at the Auckland Zoo with Coral; we would sketch the animals then come home and paint them. I was in my element. Coral taught me to look beyond the shape and the appearance and look for the soul, the individual spirit of each subject. It was with real sadness that Coral passed away in 2008.

My formal studies in Art began in high school where I achieved the highest grades amongst my peers; I continued to study art at University while doing my Bachelor of Business which included computer based art & design & fine art subjects. After graduating I travelled extensively through Europe, UK and Asia visiting the Galleries which housed the masters in which I had studied. It was Gaustav Klimt’s painting 'The Kiss' 1907-1908 in the Osterreichische Galarie Belvedere in Vienna that moved me the most. I was captivated by the gold leaf, it was incredibly beautiful. It still remains as my favourite painting of all time and has inspired me to use the gold leaf within my paintings. I love the way the gold captures the light and adds an extra dimension to the painting.

My love of the natural world influences my art especially animals; I often draw or paint these majestic creatures, particularly the Arabian horse. I am captivated by their beauty, spirit & anim

ated movement; they are the ballerina’s of the horse world.

I paint in a variety of museum grade mediums; most of my work is painted with alkyd oils, acrylic and soft pastels. Mixed media is something I would like to experiment with. My portraiture style is based on realism however I do enjoy using expressionistic brush strokes rather than capturing every piece of detail. I love to paint contemporary, semi abstract pieces that are more decorative and the result of my imagination. I choose to paint with colours that are uplifting, brighten the soul & make you feel good. Art that is dark, depressing and of lifeless form does not interest me whatsoever. I enjoy painting original pieces most of all, I love using my imagination and painting images that have stemmed from my dreams. I do however take on limited commissions during the year with the requirement that a quality photograph is supplied.