nicole collie
INTRODUCING…
Nicole Collie is a Bahamian-born artist and curator based in Texas, whose work boldly explores identity, vulnerability, and self-acceptance—especially through the lens of the female form. A lifelong creative, Nicole began making art in childhood using watercolors, crayons, and coloring books. While others played with dolls, she found her joy in creating—a passion that has shaped her entire life.
Her vibrant, abstract paintings are grounded in acrylics and enhanced with mixed media such as plaster, gold leaf, nails, wire, sand, glass beads, and real flowers. These materials are intentionally chosen to convey emotional depth, contrast, and symbolic meaning. Her work often centers on themes of balance, empowerment, and the celebration of imperfection.
Nicole’s artwork has been exhibited across The Bahamas, Texas, Greece, Madrid (Spain), Paradise Island (The Bahamas), Manhattan (New York), Shreveport (Louisiana), Memphis (Tennessee), and Los Angeles (California). Through her nonprofit initiatives—Emerging Creatives and Creating Gray Spaces—she curates exhibitions and supports fellow artists by fostering inclusive, community-based art opportunities.
Her work has also been featured in Vogue Magazine, The World of Interiors, Abode2 Magazine, and Wired Magazine, as well as the book Black Voices. She has been highlighted in numerous newspapers, art magazines, and art close-up publications. Nicole’s paintings are held in private collections throughout the Europe, U.S. and the Caribbean.
Through both her artwork and her advocacy, Nicole Collie continues to create space for truth, healing, and bold self-expression.
As an artist, I create from a place of truth, vulnerability, and transformation. My work explores identity, self-acceptance, and the complex emotional landscapes we navigate as human beings—especially as women. At the heart of my practice is a desire to encourage others to love themselves, love each other, and love life—without judgment. I believe that our flaws are not failures but features of our humanity, and I aim to celebrate that through every brushstroke and textured layer on my canvas.
Much of my inspiration stems from my personal journey. Growing up in a conservative and strict environment, I often struggled with body image and the pressure to conform. That struggle eventually turned into rebellion—and my rebellion took the form of painting nude women. At first, it was deeply personal and therapeutic. Painting nudes helped me confront and eventually embrace my own body. It became a visual affirmation: if I could stand naked before a mirror and love the person I saw, then I had won the battle for self-worth.
Now, my focus has evolved into empowerment. I paint the female body as a declaration of acceptance. Too often, we’re taught to hide our imperfections, to improve or erase parts of ourselves to be “enough.” But through my art, I want to say: You already are. I want women to see themselves in my work and feel bold, seen, and celebrated—flaws and all.
Stylistically, I describe my work as abstract and symbolic. My paintings often have a celestial or ethereal quality to them—representing not the physical self, but our inner world. Each piece becomes a layered conversation about self, vulnerability, and healing.
While acrylic paint is my foundational medium, my creative process is driven by instinct and experimentation. I use whatever materials speak to me in the moment—plaster, gold leaf, wire, nails, sand, real flowers, ink, glass beads, or textured gels. I see these materials not just as tools, but as metaphors. A nail beside an orchid might symbolize the hard and the soft within us all. I often use curved and straight lines to represent opposing perspectives coexisting in harmony. These contrasts are not accidents—they are intentional expressions of balance.
My philosophy is simple: life is layered, complicated, beautiful, and messy—and so is my art. What I experience emotionally and spiritually always finds its way onto the canvas. I believe that most of us aren’t fully honest about who we are or what we feel. My goal is to tell that truth—boldly and without apology. I’m not trying to depict perfection. I’m trying to honor reality. To show that hope and desperation, light and dark, can live in the same painting— and in the same person.
As an artist, I hope to provoke thought, inspire healing, and make space for emotional honesty. If someone sees themselves in my work and feels more whole because of it, then I’ve done what I came here to do.
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
Emerging Creatives
the cause behind the collection
Why I Choose Emerging Creatives as My Charity of Choice
I chose Emerging Creatives because its mission aligns deeply with my own values as an artist. The organization is dedicated to uplifting artists, expanding creative opportunities, and giving a platform to voices that are often overlooked. Their commitment to mentorship, professional development, and community-building directly reflects the kind of support that changed my own artistic journey.
Emerging Creatives doesn’t just showcase art—it invests in people. It creates spaces where artists can grow, heal, and express themselves without judgment. That is the same spirit that defines my work: empowerment, honesty, and the belief that creativity can transform lives.
By supporting Emerging Creatives, I’m contributing to a community that nurtures the next generation of artists, promotes cultural dialogue, and helps creative talent thrive both locally and abroad. It is a cause that feels not only meaningful, but personal.
Emerging Creatives
the cause behind the collection
Why I Choose Emerging Creatives as My Charity of Choice
I chose Emerging Creatives because its mission aligns deeply with my own values as an artist. The organization is dedicated to uplifting artists, expanding creative opportunities, and giving a platform to voices that are often overlooked. Their commitment to mentorship, professional development, and community-building directly reflects the kind of support that changed my own artistic journey.
Emerging Creatives doesn’t just showcase art—it invests in people. It creates spaces where artists can grow, heal, and express themselves without judgment. That is the same spirit that defines my work: empowerment, honesty, and the belief that creativity can transform lives.
By supporting Emerging Creatives, I’m contributing to a community that nurtures the next generation of artists, promotes cultural dialogue, and helps creative talent thrive both locally and abroad. It is a cause that feels not only meaningful, but personal.