Nicole McPherson - The Sneaky Beak

Nicole McPherson is an abstract and figurative artist, based in Brisbane, Australia. Her work is bright and ‘loud’ and layered, and predominately about faces and color and mood.

Initially drawn to figurative work, because of her keen interest in human expression, she’s morphed her style from realism to abstract expressionism. This fits well alongside her purely abstract pieces – and you will often find a meshing of both forms in her works.

Most of her ‘stories in paint’ are inspired by personal memoires and feelings. Whether they are from the past, or the current day, she creates pieces that capture a place or emotion she’s experienced and, almost always, her works showcase color!

Leveraging acrylic and mixed media products, her works are generous. Layering products and imagery, she creates a richness and depth in her works, allowing ‘hints of their past’ to be visible in the final product.

Having experimented with art as a child, career and family life led her along different paths, until she returned to her passion, full-time, 6 years ago. Taking a ‘deep dive’ into her work, she pursued study initially and, more recently, has ‘emerged’, competing, exhibiting and showing her works.

As a busy mother of two, her lifestyle enforces an urgency in her painting – revealing itself in broad strokes and expressive form. Contemporary in nature, her style is fresh and clean – with the intention being to communicate with a minimum of ‘fuss’. 

She cites her greatest influences as Van Gogh, Basquiat and Gary Komarin, and is fascinated with the form of street art and the YBAs.