Nikki Baxendale
Art
Painting & Photography
Location
Vancouver, BC
Currently in the Gallery
Artist Statement
“My love affair with art and the ability to see beyond the ordinary began as far back as I can remember. As a small child with my father, a science professor, we made his lab our playground. My memories are of discovering how light changed a surface, playing with refraction and watching as the spectrum of light danced before us. We invented macro patterns with his electron microscope and found beauty buried deep beyond the naked eye. Hours were spent with his old brownie camera, then mixing chemicals in the dark room until together we watched as the magic began to appear.
I have a passion for light and water. The unpredictable nature of a wave, the energy within and the beauty of light temperature traveling through it.
I spend my time seeking out new landscapes and how geological influences alter the painting that nature creates for you to see.
Most recently my time in Newfoundland brought a palette that I have never experienced before. Built on rock without debris to confuse the colour, true emerald and turquoise hues completely captivated me and became the source of my latest work.
This summer I head to Oslo where another landscape I know will bring fresh inspiration. With camera in hand freezing a vision, ready for my brush to take over.
Light will always be my main inspiration.”
Artist Bio
Following a successful career as an Art Director with experience working for some of the biggest brands in London, New York & Los Angeles, Nikki has left the corporate world , Nikki has quit the corporate world to focus on her long-term love of fine art.
Starting with a degree at the University for Creative Arts in London, Nikki graduated with distinction in illustration, photography, marketing, and fashion journalism. She went on to study several disciplines in photography notably the documentary style and how to really capture the heart of a story at The International Centre for Photography in New York. In addition, Nikki has continued private studies with several award-winning photographers as a passionate pursuit and constant desire to evolve.
After launching her career in London as a designer and buyer, Nikki moved to New York to run a Global design team overseeing 50 designers in New York, Asia, and Europe.
For more than a decade, this position as Art Director took her throughout the world to design houses and retail groups, working alongside and directing many talented and high-level designers, magazine editors, buyers and art directors. Always the storyteller, Nikki found her strength in leading teams and thinking outside the box. Often with grand presentations to industry giants such as Disney, MTV and leading brand retail companies, Nikki would delight her audience with unique and one-of-a-kind experiences that granted her company many awards and licensing opportunities.
Nikki was then recruited to head up a creative marketing team in Chicago where she completed a 2-year position before moving to Vancouver where she was hired as Vice President and Creative Director with Lululemon’s Ivivva Brand.
After dedicating nearly 3 decades to corporate and private companies, Nikki left the corporate world to fulfill her lifelong ambition to be a full-time artist and fine art photographer. Her work combines her love for painting and capturing moments in time behind the lens.
Nikki now resides in Vancouver in her dream landscape with her husband and 3 children, where the dramatic scenery provide a constant canvas of opportunity. Her puppy Hazel is her research companion and together they explore each day, new light and possibilities.