Nicky Carole is a self-taught artist who creates contemporary abstract paintings that are vibrant, distinctive and mesmerising to the soul. By using a pallet from a rainbow of pigmented waxes, she forges a visual and tactile expression of the natural universe.
“The general feeling I’d like to convey is heart and soul, getting a piece of me with my artwork”, she told The Portugal News. “With every stroke of my equivalent to a paintbrush, I try and capture the essence of the world.”
The artist began her journey with this method 18 years ago when her father gifted her a painting he had made with the material. “I was just blown away. I asked him how he did it and he started to explain, I would then spend every moment of my spare time playing with wax”, Nicky recalled. “I started off making teeny tiny paintings, people would tell me they were really good, and that I should do more.”
Embracing Change
The start of her career was one marked by change in her life. “I went through some things, and I just came to the realisation, life is short. I gave my normal job six months’ notice and decided I was going to make art for a living.”
“Everybody told me I was mad, that it doesn’t pay, but I just thought, since I’m getting older, if I don’t take a leap of faith now then I never will, so I did”, Nicky continued. “I began making small paintings which I framed myself, but I didn’t quite like that. I started a market selling these paintings but I would tell people it was my example work.”
One of her biggest moments of learning early on was when she met photographer David Bailey, who gave her some important pointers. “Some galleries aren’t abstract, and some only want you to have a degree in art, which I don’t. I’m self-taught, there’s nothing wrong with that, some of the best are”, she mentioned. “I consider myself lucky to have met David, he came in and gave me the greatest injection of confidence you could ever believe. He was a famous photographer that used to photograph the 60’s models, you could always recognise him carrying around a camera.”
After two years of perfecting her skills and methods, Nicky had a big break, as her confidence in the pieces she was creating had grown. “There was this gallery that I fell in love with, run by a man named Richard. They didn’t do abstract, but I knocked on his door once a month for half a year, showing him different pieces and he’d say no”, she recounted.
“But one day, I heard what I had been waiting for. He said, ‘I quite like this one’, and he took it. The very next day, he called and told me ‘consider yourself a proper artist now, because it’s sold. So now I want at least three pieces of your work at all times.’”
Encaustic Technique
“Painting with wax goes back to the ancient Greeks, it’s called encaustic work, which means to fix or fuse with heat. Richard was quite worried about the very nature of wax, that it was going to deteriorate”, Nicky explained.
“I live in Cornwall, it’s very cold here, so I would leave the pieces in my garage overnight then I’d take it to my bathroom whenever I would run a bath or take a shower for six months”, she elaborated on her methods. “He told me that after six months, if it still stands the test of time and you’re still able to put it on the wall with integrity, then you’ve succeeded. He’s passed now, but I learned that from him, and I never sell any work that I haven’t done that to.”
She went deeper into the technique that’s needed to handle wax painting, by describing that “every layer that I use, I have to fix with a sort of flambé torch but bigger”. Some safety precautions such as a mask and goggles need to be taken too, as working with wax risks inhaling the fumes, therefore, you are required to work in a ventilated area.
ArtExpo Algarve
The pandemic was a tough period of time for Nicky, as the health measures stopped her from meeting people and selling her work, but it was around this time that she made a defining decision to shift her focus from the gallery to art shows. The most recent of these is upcoming, as from September 27 to 29 she will be at ArtExpo Algarve.
“I’ll be presenting a variety of panels which are colourful and cheerful, with a resin finish that makes them 3D, and almost like glass. It gives the impression that you can dive into the scene. I take example pieces with wax and resin finishes for people to touch and appreciate. Without the need for language, they look me in the eyes and understand my enthusiasm and passion for all this”, she revealed.
ArtExpo Algarve hosts events for both established and emerging artists, galleries, and art collectives, to exhibit and sell high-quality artworks directly to the public. “For me, being at the ArtExpo is like being a part of a box of chocolates, if someone picks as their favourite, great! If not, there is so much to choose from for those who are enthusiastic about art”, Nicky encourages.
“It’s my idea of heaven, being amongst all the artwork”, she expressed. “I grew up loving art with my father, and I always wanted to own original pieces but I couldn’t afford it. So, I strive to make original affordable artwork.”
At the Portimão Arena, guests will be able to visit the exhibition on Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.
“Life is an ever-changing picture, so look, look again. Only then will you see.” – Nicky Carole
If you’re interested in finding out more about Nicky Carole’s encaustic art, please visit stand 76 at the ArtExpo Algarve or https://www.nickycaroleartwork.co.uk/
A journalist that’s always eager to learn about new things. With a passion for travel, adventure and writing about this diverse world of ours.
“Wisdom begins in wonder” – Socrates
Kate Sreenarong