When I Close My Eyes
When I Close My Eyes
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Nico Whittaker
Art, for me, is both an exploration and an expression—a journey through imagination and reality. Much of my work is born from the freedom of creating without constraints, drawing or painting directly from the mind’s eye. In these moments, I feel untethered, liberated to explore ideas and emotions without boundaries. Yet, I also value the discipline of academic practice, where working with live models allows me to study the human form in its intricate beauty and complexity.
Symbolism and figuration are central to my practice. While I deeply admire abstract art and the artists who master it, I find the perfect painting exists in the harmonious blend of abstraction and figuration—a balance between the ethereal and the tangible. My work does not seek photorealism or perfection; instead, it embraces imperfection, aiming to capture the essence of experience and emotion.
I work across various media—dry and wet, sometimes incorporating collage—each material chosen to reflect the mood and message of the piece.
My landscapes and cityscapes, often derived from my photography, take on a new dimension as I bring them to life with an optical pen and board. These pieces, like all my work, serve as a window into my perspective.
I spend as much time observing and absorbing art as I do creating it. This reflective practice is integral to my process, informing and inspiring my own creations.
At its core, my art is a narrative—a visual autobiography that explores who I am, who I have been, and who I might become. Through my work, I strive to convey the complexities of my fears and loves, the way I see the world and its impact on me. It is an honest portrayal of my suffering, my joy, and everything in between—a dialogue between my inner world and the external reality.
Nico Whittaker