Nicole Deponte

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My artistic process is a dialogue between gesture, material, and intuition, resulting in layered compositions that invite exploration and personal interpretation. Working as a mixed media artist and modern surrealist, I bring together an array of materials and techniques to create vibrant, textured works that blur the boundaries between painting, collage, and drawing. Each piece begins with a base of acrylic washes, which I layer intuitively to establish the tonal and compositional foundation. From there, I incorporate paper elements, botanical-inspired forms, and gestural marks, building a dynamic interplay of shapes and colors. Repetition emerges naturally as I respond to the imagery, creating patterns that evoke rhythm and continuity while leaving space for spontaneity. The inclusion of hand-cut paper fragments adds a tactile, collage-like quality, allowing for interplay between precision and organic evolution. My approach to layering is iterative and experimental. As pigments and paper overlap, I embrace the unexpected interactions that occur. Colors bleed into one another, paper edges create subtle contours, and translucent washes reveal hints of underlying layers. This process mirrors the way memory and experience accumulate, with each addition offering a new perspective while retaining traces of what came before. Botanical motifs frequently appear, their organic curves and delicate textures serving as visual anchors within the layered compositions. Gesture plays a vital role in my process, grounding the work in physicality and immediacy. Loose, expressive marks are juxtaposed with more deliberate, precise elements, creating a balance between spontaneity and structure. These gestures are informed by my fascination with the natural world, as well as my desire to capture fleeting moments of movement and emotion. The resulting compositions invite viewers to engage with both the macro and micro details, uncovering connections and patterns that might not be immediately apparent. Color theory is central to my practice, guiding the interplay of bold, saturated hues with softer, muted tones. I use color not only as a visual tool but as a means of evoking emotion and memory. Each palette is carefully considered, with contrasts and harmonies designed to lead the viewer�s eye through the layered surface. The dynamic use of color creates a sense of depth and vitality, reinforcing the idea of the artwork as a living, evolving entity. Texture emerges naturally through the layering of materials and the interactions between different media. The inclusion of ink and watercolor alongside acrylic creates a range of surface qualities, from smooth and fluid to rough and tactile. These textural variations enhance the visual complexity of the work, inviting closer inspection and engagement. Paper elements, with their crisp edges and varied opacity, further enrich the textural landscape, adding a sense of dimensionality. Thematically, my work often reflects on the interplay between nature and abstraction, as well as the ways in which personal and collective memories shape our perception of the world. By incorporating botanical imagery and organic patterns, I draw on the inherent beauty and intricacy of the natural world. These elements serve as touchpoints for the viewer, grounding the surreal, dreamlike compositions in something familiar and accessible. While my process is rooted in experimentation and intuition, it is also guided by a deliberate sense of composition and balance. Each piece evolves organically, with materials and gestures informing the direction of the work. This iterative approach allows for moments of discovery and surprise, ensuring that no two pieces are ever the same. The final compositions are richly layered, their surfaces revealing traces of the process and inviting viewers to linger and explore. Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to create works that resonate both visually and emotionally, offering a space for reflection, curiosity, and connection. By combining gesture, layering, and botanical imagery, I aim to craft compositions that are as dynamic and multifaceted as the memories and experiences that inspire them. My hope is that viewers will find their own narratives within the work, engaging with it on a personal level and discovering something new each time they return.

ABOUT THE ART

As a surrealist collage artist, my intuitive process weaves watercolor, paper, fiber, ink, line drawing, and gouache into layered narratives. I create immersive, textured pieces that tell stories though imaginative worlds and explore deeper connections within each artwork.