Nature, Lessons, and Artistic Expression

Nicole DiPierre

My art journey began in high school, but the seeds were planted much earlier. My grandmother was an artist, and her apartment was filled with her work—canvases leaning against walls, brushes soaking in jars, and the scent of solvents in the air. She was part of a vibrant artist community in Greenwich Village and regularly traveled to Mexico to paint. Her world was full of creativity and freedom, and it left a strong impression on me.

So when my mom suggested I take an art class in high school, I thought, why not—maybe it runs in my blood.

I loved it. I started with pencil drawings, but once I was introduced to paints, I was hooked. Color opened a whole new avenue of expression for me. It wasn’t just about capturing something visually—it was about conveying emotion, story, spirit. That discovery led me to pursue a degree in art and social sciences, with a focus on anthropology. I was drawn to the way culture, nature, and creativity intersect.

During and after college, I participated in gallery shows, exploring what it meant to share my work publicly. Eventually, I chose to travel—to experience life more deeply and allow those experiences to shape me. Though painting became more sporadic depending on where I lived and worked, it never left me.

Later, while attending herb school, I fell in love with plants—and that love started showing up in my artwork. I began painting botanicals on repurposed furniture, blending sustainability with creativity. Not long after, I found myself working in the veterinary field and grew a deep affection for animals.

Then came Toby—a dog who loved pancakes. A friend of a friend asked me to paint his portrait, and something clicked. That commission opened a new world of artistic expression, combining storytelling, personality, and love for animals. It brought together so many threads of my life—nature, connection, emotion—and I’ve been exploring that path ever since.