ABOUT NICOLE
Growing up in New York before moving to New Jersey, Nicole is a life long self taught artist who enjoys reading, fishing, nature journaling and working on botanical and natural science illustration projects. She is a volunteer EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) on one of our local ambulance squads and enjoys finding different ways to introduce art into the community. She is currently working on her "Botanical Art & Illustration Certificate" through the New York Botanical Gardens
Nicole is a member of the:
-
Tri-State Botanical Artists
-
Wallkill River School of Art
-
Vernon Chamber of Commerce
-
Leads the "Northern NJ - Nature Journaling Club" and is a listed Nature Journaling Instructor on the John Muir Laws website
You can follow her personal artist pages on social media here and read more about her story and how the art studio started below!
@NICOLECHRISTIANARTIST
ABOUT THE STUDIO - OUR STORY
Growing up in nature
Welcome! My name is Nicole, and as a self taught artist & illustrator - I continue to learn something new every day. Exploring creativity has played a huge part in my life growing up, and spending most of my time outdoors continues to fuel my interest in natural science and botanical art. There is never a shortage of subjects when you are working from life! Growing up I'd often collect leaves, rocks, shells, interesting artifacts and insects so that I could study and document them. I'd spend countless hours in museums, libraries and nature centers, as well as studying architecture reference books, admiring blueprints and drawing photos of the houses my father was working on.
​
The arts have always played a big part in my life, including the path it took me on before the pandemic.
My work as a reconstructive tattoo artist:
Before the COVID-19 pandemic I worked a number of jobs between New York and New Jersey as I settled into relocating after getting married. One of those was as a part time reconstructive tattoo artist in NY. I had been tattooing in a shop for a number of years when I was offered an amazing opportunity through a group of plastic surgeons - to focus my tattooing on reconstructive work and scar coverage. To say I was excited (and overwhelmed) was an understatement as I'd just been given a chance to help others in a different and very meaningful way.
​
Over the next 10 years I continued to teach myself techniques for working ink into scar tissue and mixing wide ranges of skin tones, as the reconstructive tattooing I did was for breast and skin cancer scar camouflage. This was done to help reduce the appearance of scarring from past reconstructive surgeries. During my time in the profession, I met many amazing people and was moved by their stories of strength. It was an honor to have been part of these healing processes .
Reconnecting with what was lost
The Art Studio Begins to Grow!
Over the next few years my art studio would expand in size multiple times and eventually settle into its current location in The Shoppes At Lafayette!
This latest move has been quite the transition as now my love for art, nature & Illustration has merged with my love of stationery design! For the last few years my studio has been appointment only but now I have open retail hours in my Stationery & Gift Shop and offer fully custom stationery design - everything from a simple thank you card to bespoke wedding suites!
​
Owning my own creative space I am able to continue to teach what I love, and share what I know with others in a more frequent and steady setting; has always been a dream of mine. A dream that has now become a reality thanks to the support of the community, my students, friends & family, and is something I will be forever grateful for.
I continued working multiple jobs as I began the relocation process from NY to NJ, as well as illustrating and giving private art lessons - and then the pandemic hit. In a matter of days, like so many others - I lost all employment. Confused and worried I turned to art as a way to deal with my stressors. Only this time it felt different as It seemed to be all I had left to keep me sane as the pandemic continued. As time went on, and I spent more and more time reading and filling sketchbooks - I also began to reconnect with nature and my love for constant creativity. This was something I previously had found joy in, but which had become lost in the busy days of pre-pandemic life. I then started the Sussex County, NJ - Nature Journaling Club to help connect others to art & nature in those stressful times.
In 2021 I found myself I looking for a place to rent where I could take on larger commission work and continue to teach private art lessons, as things were slowly moving away from ZOOM and back to in person. I decided to rent a tiny office space in Vernon, NJ and the little art studio was born!
What does the future hold?
I don't want to ruin any surprises, but I do have some exciting plans in store for 2024! I now would like to take a moment to thank everyone for their continued support. It has been a whirlwind of changes and growth over the last few years and I am grateful for everyone who has been along on this journey with me.
WHERE TO FIND US
We are located at
75 Route 15
Lafayette, NJ 07848
inside The Shoppes at Lafayette between Sophie G's and Felicia's Boutique
​
*Please contact us below or call:
973-968-1344
If you are planning to make a trip to visit us please reach out to check the hours