on being alone.

Over a few iced coffees, sitting in a bustling cafe in downtown Manhattan, Italian artist Alessandro Fantini and I discussed the importance of being alone.

How valuable it is to take a moment to quiet the mind, to tune out the noise of everyday life, to become separate, to pause and reflect on oneself.

How frightening.

It is in these moments of self reflection that I finally see myself clearly and realize my insignificance. An uncomfortable process.

Yet, without it I cannot grow as a person. Or as an artist.

Alessandro’s film, “aVoid”, explores the concept of being alone, on multiple levels.

imperfect.

Going through my art collection, taking photos of each piece in an effort to finally update my website.

I hated the above pen drawing for the longest time. The small imperfections drove me insane.

And yet, looking at it with fresh eyes, I now find it strangely compelling. The slight imperfections, the flaws, make the difference.

writing on the wall.

The rebellious act of leaving one’s mark in a public space, of adding some personality and edge to what was once characterless and dull, is extremely sexy.

I would imagine that every city has plenty of unwarranted paint dotting its buildings’ facades and public facilities.

And much of this graffiti may be basic, uncouth, or even vulgar – a childish scrawl splashed across public property purely for the thrill of rebellion.

shoreditch 3

Yet amidst the painted “litter,” there are true gems. True public art pieces.

I happened upon some wonderful and colorful street art while in Shoreditch district of London.

Enjoy.

Shot in Shoreditch, London. All photos by Nicole Weiler. 

a visual diary.

An intensely busy (and always rapidly shifting) travel schedule makes finding time to create art more difficult.

However, with my Moleskine as my constant companion, I am able to at the very least sketch on the go.

Not only does my pocket sketchbook give me the everyday drawing practice I need to develop as an artist, but it also allows me to record and work through various thoughts and inspirations for future artworks (to pursue when I am finally in one place for more than a few days).

And the most fun part: looking back on what eventually becomes a visual diary of my life.

111 minna.

The past few weeks have been consumed with travel. At the moment I am in London, and as inevidently occurs while on the road, there have been a few last minute changes and complications. Yet, if anything, these stressful moments abroad help you learn to roll with the punches and think on your feet.

Before arriving in the UK, I spent a much less complicated week in San Francisco. We stayed in a lovely apartment in Noe Valley via Airbnb - a valuable way to find a more unique, home-y, and possibly affordable place to stay.

While in town, I happened upon 111 Minna Gallery, a true gem of a gallery. Located in downtown San Francisco, the gallery features regularly rotating art exhibitions while also serving as a local hangout/coffee shop by day and trendy bar/event space by night.

More intimate and casual than the usual “white cube” gallery, the space was inviting and friendly. The head curator, Micah LeBrun, even came up to me after noticing my interest in the art to personally introduce himself, explain the concept of the gallery, and give me an impromptu tour of the new exhibition opening that weekend. More galleries should adopt this sense of community and warmth.

And beyond the hospitality and general good vibe at 111 Minna, the art selection was fantastic.

big step.

The other week I took a big step and left my job. After four and a half years living and breathing fine jewelry, it was time to make a change.

Beyond the need to expand my horizons, my decision to move on was motivated by my desire for more flexibility to explore various side projects… and devote more time to my artistic endeavors.

Thus far, finding a balance in this period of transition is proving challenging. However, the newfound freedom in the control of my schedule/the ability to work when and where I want… is heavenly.

Last week my “office” was an outdoor cafe in sunny Notting Hill (the beginning of a busy week in London). Yesterday I was camped out in Soho (back in NYC), street side, glass of wine in hand. Today I am working a few thousand feet above ground… on my flight to San Francisco.

Despite the increase in time spent working, the ability to have control over my own choices is irreplaceable. Best decision I have ever made.

early morning, welfleet.

Last summer I went clamming on the Cape for the first time. Rising before the sun in order to take advantage of the very low tide, my father and I watched the sky bleed into blue as we raked through the wet sand.

The pastel clouds above and glittering pools collecting in the dark sand below blew me away. I had to capture the moment in a painting.

magnificent moher.

After strolling through the historic streets of London and soaking in the rolling hills of the Irish country, I visited one of the most beautiful and inspirational places I have ever been.

 The Cliffs of Moher in western Ireland are truly magnificent.

Under a blindingly white sky, we hobbled over pockmarked stone as dark as charcoal before boarding our boat.

Aboard the small ship we felt minute as we looked up at the textured cliffs, which rose to heights of over 700 feet above the teal ocean.

The patterns formed by the layers of rock in each towering cliff captivated me. A testament to Mother Nature’s beauty.

Shot in Ireland.

a british gem.

At the end of March, just before escaping to the quaint Irish countryside, I spent a few days exploring London.

I had fallen in love with London a few years ago while traveling abroad in college, so I was psyched to once again wander the streets of Notting Hill, revisit the Tate Museum, and generally soak up the quirky vibe of the old city.

While I had covered much of the art scene on my first visit, I was thrilled to discover the Courtauld Gallery on this second trip.

Housed in Somerset House, this small museum is truly a gem.

Beyond having absolutely beautiful mural work, molding, and lighting in each room, the gallery houses many of my favorite artists and some incredibly important pieces that I have always wanted to see in person.

A must see for any art lover.

Shot in London. All photos by Nicole Weiler. 

never ordinary.

Last night I watched an old favorite, American Beauty. One line of the film stands out:

“There’s nothing worse in life than being ordinary.”

Here’s to never being ordinary.

an irish paradise.

Last weekend I awoke to a scene quite different from my usual grey Manhattan skies. Rolling lavender hills, lush green fields, and spindly picket fences awaited just outside my window.

Following a few days in bustling London, my boyfriend and I escaped to western Ireland for a relaxing weekend. We immediately fell in love with the picturesque views and the slower pace of life.

Everything about the Irish countryside seemed fantastical – I felt as if I had not only stepped back in time, but that I had also wandered into a master’s painting. The blocks of fields in their golds and greens screamed Cezanne and the grooved hills and scrubby brush seemed brushed into reality by Van Gogh’s own hand.

The light, the colors, the fresh air all served for a massively inspiring weekend. I am currently pushing myself to finish a painting of a Cape Cod beach scene so that I may embark on a new work inspired by this Irish paradise.

Shot at Gregans Castle Hotel -which I highly recommend - in western Ireland. All photos by Nicole Weiler. 

tiny but important doodles.

Lately I have been experiencing a huge wave of inspiration to create. Much of my motivation stems from rummaging through my collection of work as I photograph each piece for a website I am building.

The most interesting part of organizing my work onto one online space has been being able to see how cohesive my collection actually is. It is often difficult (nay, nearly impossible) for me to see past one drawing or painting at a time. On my own I am blind to see how each piece relates to the one before it, how there is a running theme or dialogue or style in my work.

Grouping all of my art together has given me clarity of vision. Now i can see how even my random doodles relate to and influence my more involved and polished drawings and paintings. I fell in love with these tiny sketches all over again this weekend and could not help but to post them here.

Keep posted for more tiny discoveries…

xo,

nicole

nude smoking.

in

One of my favorite sketches. Done with the basic Bic ballpoint pen.

I recently picked up a new miniature Moleskin sketchbook, which the above drawing and many others in my collection were done in. It has been a while since I drew in this old standby, and I had forgotten how much I love the smaller format, the heavy cream colored paper, the ease in transporting a continuous art project.

Looking forward to sharing more snippets from the new Moleskin...

scribble sculptures.

in ,

On Thursday night I attended Mark Fox's opening at Robert Miller Gallery in Chelsea.

The work on view is whimsical but also painstakingly rendered. Pieces simplistic in theory become complex through the layers of meaning created in the overlapping of cut-out text and doodles. Words take on and lose meaning as they hang in mid air or weave through other seemingly non-related text. How does each word relate? Is there a hidden message behind each piece?

The idea of creating painted sculpture completely fascinated and inspired me. Seeing a return to painting  and being able to get a sense of the artist's hand in each piece was so refreshing.

A definite must see.

Shot at Robert Miller Gallery, 524 West 26th Street, NYC. All photos by Nicole Weiler.

a visit to soufriere.

in , ,

On one of the last days in Saint Lucia, I visited the town of Soufriere.

My hotel was located in the hills above the small city. From above, the coastal town looked picturesque. Pastel hued dots of homes quilted the shoreline nestled between lush green hills and the grand Pitons in the distance.

Up close, when these dots came into focus, the reality was less picturesque. Many houses were in a state of disrepair, exasperated by the horrific storm that hit the Caribbean on Christmas Eve causing massive mud slides and flooding.

Yet despite any damage, each home retained a sense of cheer. Brightly painted shutters flanked broken windows, vibrant lace curtains floated in the gentle breeze, cheery Christmas lights wove between the streets, and hopeful hand-painted messages added personality to door frames and wood siding.

The homes pictured here were particularly captivating. Each had a strong sense of personality - a sadness but also an optimism - that I am hoping to capture in some paintings down the road.

Shot in Soufriere, Saint Lucia. All photos by Nicole Weiler.

sun and scarves.

in , , ,

As much as I love New York, adjusting back to Manhattan's grey winter weather after a week and a half of sunny island life has not been easy.

Just over a week ago, the most I had to layer on before walking out the door was a substantial amount of sunscreen. My days were spent in lightweight tees, giant dark sunnies, and my favorite pair of slightly oversized, slightly torn jean cut offs. Simple, uncomplicated, and practical styling.

Never without my favorite accessory, I utilized a new silk scarf for extra sun protection and a pop of color. Wrapped around the head while catching some rays, tied around the waist during a lazy beach stroll, or draped over the shoulders during afternoon cocktails, a colorful print scarf makes for a versatile beach necessity.

Shot at Anse Chastanet Beach, Saint Lucia. All photos by Nicole Weiler. Wearing {in addition to some serious SPF}:

Hermes silk scarf, Stella McCartney sunnies, American Apparel bikini, yellow gold hoops, diamond pendant necklace {designed by Nicole Weiler}

new beginnings.

in , ,

The beginning of a new year tends to encourage a time for self reflection. As one year comes to a close, one considers the lessons learned over the past twelve months, evaluates the goals that were achieved that year, and contemplates what is ahead in the coming year.

I had plenty of time to reflect on these topics over the holidays. Following a very exciting and busy November and December (that left little time for blogging... and more importantly sleeping), I escaped to Saint Lucia for a much needed break from reality.

With its relaxing sandy beaches, warm aqua water, and absolutely stunning sunsets, Saint Lucia provided me with the perfect environment to reflect and recuperate.

I realized that 2013 taught me two incredibly important lessons:

1. Appreciate and acknowledge the Now.

2. I have complete control over my success and happiness.

I look forward to all of the wonderful things 2014 will bring - and that I will create.

After all, to quote scientist Alan Kay: "The best way to predict the future is to invent it."

Shot in Saint Lucia. All photos by Nicole Weiler.

coming undone.

in , , ,

Ribbons have always fascinated me. Light bounces off the curves of a twirled or twisted silky strand, glowing electric white at the peaks and darkening deeply in the valleys. This high contrast of light and dark makes the ribbon one of my most favorite subjects to draw.

At the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum of Art, I was struck by an exquisitely-made corset sewn together with salmon silk ribbon.

Ballooning over a woman's hips, blossoming above her full breasts, the ribbons in the corset highlight and accentuate the beauty of the female form. The corset is both delicate and tough at the same time; the sensual, curvilinear lines in the garment are balanced by a tightly bound, hard lacing that shapes the body into near-impossible ideals. Tightly wound at top and spilling into beautiful chaos below.

She is bathed in pink luxury, exuding a strong, confident sexuality... while still retaining a touch of vulnerability as she comes undone.

Shot at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. All photos by Nicole Weiler.

treasures at home.

in ,

The holiday season is officially upon us. A time centered around family, friends, and giving thanks.

thanksgiving1

Working in the fine jewelry industry, the end of November and the month of December make up the busiest time of the year. Orders pour in as people design sentimental gifts for their loved ones, the calendar becomes jam packed with often overlapping appointments, and weekends are spent traveling outside Manhattan for private trunk shows.

thanksgiving4

Little time has been left for blogging. However, I did manage to play around with my camera over Thanksgiving.

thanksgiving3

The holiday was spent at my late grandparents' home in New Jersey. For as long as I can remember, most family events have been hosted here. This year was special as it will probably be the last time that my relatives gather at the memory-filled estate.

thanksgiving2

The house is a treasure trove of small oddities, antique (often mismatched) furniture, vintage newspapers and magazines, beautiful 1950's wallpaper (also occasionally mismatched within the same room), old photographs, heirloom paintings and cross stitches... The list goes on.

thanksgiving

Every table top, corner, and wall is littered with mementos from the very full life my grandparents lived. Photographs tell stories of past family get togethers, small figurines littered between painted china recall special travel experiences, the click of a typewriter evokes the spirit of my grandmother, the writer.

thanksgiving6Beauty abounds throughout the entire home. I hope to discover more inspiration as my family continues to rummage through its relics.