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Artist Statement:
I’m a self-taught contemporary visual artist who creates captivating equine art to bring awareness and create positive change in the management of our wild horses on public lands.
I have come full circle in my creative life, as a child drawing horses and being utterly captivated to an adult doing the very same. Creating equine art has always been home for me, and my artist’s journey has brought me back home.
Each painting goes through a journey of initial inspiration, doubt, resistance, trust, release and wonder. Ultimately, I trust the process and release the resistance enough to allow the paint to go where it needs to. My method is to listen to my intuition, observe and focus on the mood I’m wanting to express. I use acrylic paint intuitively and meditatively as a way to express what my inner voice is trying to say.
My mission as an artist is to create a positive impact by making art that uplifts, and my mission as a human is to live with joy and compassion.
Resume
Nicki Forde-Ficocelli, (b. 1973, US)
Drawing on my Heart, Art & Illustration by Nicki Forde
drawingonmyheart@gmail.com | www.drawingonmyheart.com | 352.409.2919
Education
International Fine Arts College, Associate of Arts Degree, 1993
Exhibitions
Artists Way Exhibition
Leesburg Center for the Arts
April, 2019
Emerging Artist Exhibition
Leesburg Center for the Arts
March, 2019
Leesburg Art Festival
March 9th - 10th, 2019
Something New Exhibition
Leesburg Center for the Arts
February 7th - 21st, 2020
Merrit Award for 36”x24” Acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas, titled “Gemini”
Woman Made Exhibition, a Tri-City Collaboration
Mount Center for the Arts
March, 2020
Pleasures 2.0 Exhibition
Marion Cultural Alliance
September 4th - 26th, 2020
2021 Lake County Fair
Painting/Fine Art Category
April, 2021
First place Painting category, third place Fine Arts for 20”x20” Acrylic painting titled, “If Wishes Were Horses”
October - November, 2022
Duo exhibit "Elemental Visions" at Leesburg Center for the Arts
Featured in
Horse and Rider Living website and blog, The Art of Living with Horses section
weblink: https://www.horseandriderliving.com/articles/drawing-on-my-heart-art-amp-illustration-by-nicki-forde
Leesburg Center for the Arts, Meet the Artist WOMANMADE section
weblink: https://www.leesburgarts.com/blog/nicki-forde
Lake and Sumter Style Magazine, "Local Talent" section - April, 2021
Art Available via
Uncommon on 6th Gallery & Studio
103 S. Sixth Street
Leesburg, Florida
Etsy shop, DrawingOnMyHeart
www.etsy.com/shop/DrawingOnMyHeart
Employment
Adams Marketing and Advertising - 1994 - 1998
Mount Dora, Florida
Graphic Artist, advanced to Art Director
Creative Business Diagnostics - 1998 - 2004
Eustis, Florida
Graphic Artist/Art Director
Nicki Forde Graphic Design - 2004 - 2019
Leesburg, Florida
Owner, freelance Graphic Artist
Ford Press Printing - 2010 - 2015
Leesburg, Florida
Graphic Artist
Drawing on my Heart - 2017 to present
Leesburg, Florida
Owner, Fun Artist/Creative Entrepreneur
StateFL
