Exploring the complexity of color, abstract painting and installation work with Nicole Mueller
Nicole Mueller is a San Francisco-based visual artist. Her work includes large-scale paintings, murals, and installations that mimic the effects of stained glass. Driven by process, her abstract works are highly saturated, built with layers of collage-like shapes. Her work explores the complexity of color, states of flux, dichotomies within painting, the transitional nature of being, and the threshold between interior and exterior, the tangible and intangible.
About my background
I’m primarily a painter, living and working full-time as an artist in San Francisco, California.
My background also includes mural painting, installation work, as well as working in arts administration and career development.
I studied painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, where I lived for a number of years before moving out to the west coast.
Another big part of my work and mission revolves around co-hosting Beyond the Studio with fellow artist Amanda Adams, a podcast that aims to increase transparency in the art world by interviewing other working contemporary artists about their career paths.
About my style
My work is mostly intuitive, driven by process, abstract, highly saturated, built with color and layers of collage-like shapes.
I make large-scale paintings, light-activated window installations that mimic the effects of stained glass, and murals. Within this work, I’m exploring dichotomies, states of flux, and the threshold between interior and exterior, the tangible and intangible.
About the key to making my art
I think showing up consistently for your work is key—for me developing a studio practice and setting goals for myself to keep moving forward has helped me prioritize my work when life gets in the way, as well as knowing when to step back and rest or take breaks (for a day, a month, or even longer).
You can check out my website and follow my work on Instagram.
You can sign up for Beyond the Studio’s mailing list to learn more about upcoming episodes here and listen to Beyond the Studio podcast for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, as well as on our Beyond the Studio website.
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