Born in 1973 in Somerset, England, Nikki De Marco is an artist-teacher, living in Norway with her two children since 2019. Translating her experiences of running and cycling in nature into paintings, she creates works that are layered in both meaning and material. Nikki graduated in 1994 with a degree in illustration. Having then studied to be an art teacher, Nikki has been an artist-teacher since 1996. In 2010 she moved to Italy, followed by the Swiss Alps in 2013. In 2021 she began her artist-teacher Masters studies with Oxford Brookes University which she will complete in 2024.
How did you get into art?
Art has been a passion since my childhood, deeply influenced by my father's career in architecture. This early exposure to art and design led me to train as an illustrator. Although I ventured into teaching art, my dedication to creating art has remained central for the last thirty years.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
My style is a genuine reflection of my artistic self, combining my natural affinity for colour and the seasonal shifts with a penchant for abstraction, yet always retaining a touch of the tangible. My art mirrors my inner landscape, created through an intuitive lens and giving my unconscious a voice. As Jung posited, I consider myself not just a creator but a co-creator of my artwork.
How do you go about developing your work?
Where once I meticulously planned, I now draw inspiration from photographs and sketches of my immediate surroundings that resonate with me, adopting a more intuitive approach. This process involves layering and selecting images as the work evolves, with a particular focus on the negative space within these photographs. My technique involves building up the artwork with multiple, thin washes of colour over time.
Who or what influences you?
The natural world around me is my greatest inspiration. I feel disconnected from places I haven't lived in, or photographs taken in the past; my work must reflect the present. Jungian psychology and the concept of alchemy significantly shape my creative process. Influential artists for me include Bonnard, Munch, and Diebenkorn. Additionally, as an art teacher, I am constantly engaged with both contemporary and historical art practices, which subtly influence my work.
Make us curious. What are you planning to do next?
This year, I will complete my MA in Artist-Teacher Practice, with plans to embark on a PhD. I'm eager to delve deeper into the nexus of art and psychology. Furthermore, I aim to dedicate more time to painting and to step out of the shadows, sharing my work with audiences after years of privacy.
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