Meet Nichole L. Moore

This month, I would like to introduce you to fine artist Nichole L. Moore.

I met Nichole at an art show when, from two aisles away, an explosion of color captured my attention. I crossed the lanes, admired her work, and started our conversation. She agreed to this interview, but it has taken six months for us to find a time to chat! With her full-time job, judo competitions, and dedication to her art, she is as busy as I am. I asked her how she manages her time.

“Everything I do is an act of passion,” she says. Our call is moments before she’s out the door again to prepare for her Kodokan Judo tournament. “In twelve years, I’ve achieved Shodan rank. The first black belt.”

Her achievement and passion are impressive. And her art is just as passionate. Her acknowledged use of color to invoke emotions is incredibly effective. She adds, “My art focuses on the human condition. Using surprising color combinations to create drama. My goal is to generate an emotional reaction. Anyone who looks at my work will feel something different. But share that emotional reaction. I like that my work forces people to see how much they have in common. How much they share.”

We talk about her influences. She leans toward the classics. “Van Gogh is a powerful influence. As is Monet. Impressionism is the basis for my work — but I prefer a punky and edgy style. I also stay up to date with local artists and modern trends.”

Her work is a mix of styles, but often explorations of the female form. Nichole uses reference photos — even her own selfies — to capture images on canvas. Although she would love to work with live models, the cost and the space to host and work are challenges.

I opine how hard it is for artists to earn a living. Most fine artists supplement their art career with teaching or a full-time job. Nicole saw the conundrum when she started college. In high school, she attended art and design school in Philadelphia — and even earned medallions for her fine art. She was passionate and wanted to be a full-time fine artist. The idea was to major in liberal arts and then transfer to art school. But she watched peers struggle financially, and she did not want to go the starving-artist route. Her degree in computer science allows her to earn a solid income as a software tester. On the side, she took art courses and earned a studio art minor. Otherwise, she’s self taught.

I ask, “I notice on your website you sell prints. Do you sell your originals?”

She laughs and admits letting go of her “babies” is too hard. While she has done commissions, she becomes too attached to her work. At this point, she chooses popular pieces and orders a limited amount of prints — all on archival paper using archival ink. Once she’s sold out, she orders more. The holidays are her busy time, but she consistently attends art shows and has a good side-hustle. She wishes it was enough of an income to be her one job.

“Painting is an expensive undertaking. And the art world is so competitive. And subjective. I’ll keep selling my prints. If someone offered me enough for an original, I’d consider it.”

I wonder aloud what her future will bring. What does she envision?

“Aside from owning and operating a gym, my lifetime goal as an artist would be to create a communal art space. Where the artists could work, host classes, and shows. I’d like it to fund itself. But a space like that is hard to find. The Noyes Museum was an artist space. The repairs were so extensive, no one wanted or could rehabilitate the space. Stockton bought it. I think that’s sad. I’d like to attract investors to create an artist space in the Atlantic City area. I’d like to support other artists and the vibrant art community that doesn’t have the support it needs.”

We chatted about community art shows as one of the few outlets for local artists. This month, you can visit with those local artists and Nichole at the Smithville Art Walk on September 17th (rain date is September 18th). At the time of this interview, she plans to be there. Or check out Nichole’s website. Grab a print and support her and her dream of nurturing an art community. While her dream may seem impossible, with her tenacity and across-the-board success, I know this black belt artist can accomplish anything.