Nicole Collie was born and raised in the Bahamas and went to college in the United States, where she now resides. “My journey as an artist starts with vivid memories of a fluorescent green desk full of coloring books and crayons. This desk was bigger than life and when I totally grew out of it, I began carrying it around. I have fond memories about this desk.” Her first paintings were of landscapes, flowers, and later, the female form.
Nicole started painting with watercolors as a child, using the same seven colors that most of us were given to use during elementary school, and she loved using that medium as she developed as an artist. While attending The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where she received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design, she had to take an art class using acrylic paint and was totally against it. At that time, Nicole had only used watercolor and gouache paint. She was surprised at how easily she adapted to using acrylic paint and that it was actually enjoyable. It allowed her to add layer upon layer, which creates a wonderful texture to paint on. This school also required her to paint nudes, something that she was adamantly against due to her religious upbringing. However, once she started working with women that allowed her to paint them on canvas, there was a special transformation, when she experienced a boost in confidence and self-esteem. It is ironic that painting nudes is now all that she does.
Nicole says, “I began painting nudes as an act of rebellion and for shock value. Raised in a modest home where nudity was never spoken of, conservative Bahamian culture made it particularly difficult for people to accept my art.”
Nicole is inspired by women and other creatives. “I enjoy painting the female body as a symbol of empowerment. Women spend so much time trying to look better, to hide or not acknowledge their flaws, and that is sad to me. My desire for everyone, especially women, is that we can accept ourselves unconditionally flaws and all. My inspiration comes from my own journey of accepting myself. That is why the images I paint have a celestial and ethereal feel to them because they are a representation of our inner selves.”
Nicole is a diverse creative meaning that in addition to her art, she is a graphic designer, illustrator of children’s books, and a brand and website builder. Her clientele includes authors, corporate and small business clients, entrepreneurs, and non-profits. She also curates her own exhibits and art shows for other artists.

HEALinc Sumitt – Nassau, Bahamas – 2023
404 Houston – Fort Worth TX – 2023
Clip Mode – Fort Worth TX – 2022
Van Der Plas Gallery – Manhattan New York – 2022
The Eye of Texas Fine Art Gallery – 2022
Baha Mar – Nassau, Bahamas – 2019
Norton Art Gallery – Shreveport LA – 2014
Art Village Gallery – Memphis TN – 2009
4th Annual Graham Thorton Art Charity – Nassau, Bahamas 2008
Sine.Qua.Non Gallery – Nassau, Bahamas – 2007
Cafe Europa – Nassau, Bahamas 2006
Infusion Gallery Los Angeles CA – 2005
Central Bank of the Bahamas – Nassau, Bahamas – 2004
British Colonial Hilton – Nassau, Bahamas – 2002
Central Bank of the Bahamas – Nassau, Bahamas 2002

As an artist, I strive to show others that we should all love ourselves, love each other, and love life without judgment. Identity is what my art is about. I grew up with body issues, just like anybody else these days. I come from a very conservative and strict background which caused me to rebel, and my rebellion was to paint nudes. Painting nudes was my personal therapy that helped me to reach the conclusion that if I can stand in front of a mirror naked and like the person that I am, I have won the battle of self-worth and self-esteem. My inspiration now for painting the female body is empowerment. As women we spend so much time trying to look better, to hide or not acknowledge our flaws, and that is unfortunate. My desire for everyone, especially women, is that we can accept ourselves unconditionally flaws and all. My inspiration comes from my own journey of accepting myself.
The medium I use is any material that I can get my hands on, but my artwork is anchored in acrylic paints. I will use gels, plaster, wire, metals, nails, gold leaf, sand, glass beads, ink, real flowers . . . If the material speaks to me and I am inspired by something about it, I will incorporate it into my paintings.
The role of an artist should be a thought provoker, inspiration, and to express a point of view. There are always two sides to a coin. Hope and desperation can exist on the same canvas, just like light and dark, and good, and bad. Art is subjective and expresses all the emotions and experiences that we have as human beings.

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