My sculptural work is a personal reflection of society. I am influenced by memories and experiences, literature, socio-political events; creating a narrative in each piece that reflects those ideas. I draw from several historical periods when creating my pieces, abstraction of the early 20th century and onward, and pop art in its choice of objects that are reflective or symbolic of our society and culture. After an initial connection between an idea and a visual form (usually a well known object), I create pieces fast, allowing for the intuitive process to combine form and concept. Clay allows me to switch with ease between the artistic concept and the actual piece. Technically I combine the use of the wheel and hand-building to create many of the pieces. I use each sculptural form as a tool to illustrate a certain function or narrative. Each piece is finished differently, depending on the subject matter. I tend to paint multiple layers onto the piece with underglazes and slips. I also use plastic or silicon on some. A lot of my work has an installation feel to it, as though it was created for an actual room and place. The overall work exhibits elements of the abstract and the real, ironic, humorous and serious.

Artist Bio: Nicole lives and works in St. Peter, MN. She teaches at Gustavus Adolphus College and cares for her three children. She graduated from Concordia College in 1997, moved to Paris, France to teach at the American School of Paris. In 1999 she moved to Nacogdoches, Tx and started an MFA program at Stephen F. Austin State University. After graduating with an MFA in Ceramics and an MA in drawing, she and her husband moved to St. Peter in 2003.