I’m in the process of digitizing my old sketchbooks and it’s been a real delight seeing some of my old work. I was really into portraitures for awhile (circa 2020). Here’s one: #art #sketch #painting #blueskyart

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and Minneapolis resident, was murdered by ICE today. He was a lawful gun owner. Our government saw his Second Amendment right as a threat and executed him in the streets.

Sylvester has passed judgment on his humans and we are, in fact, unworthy. Well…until 10pm when one of us needs to open his can of cat food. 😆 #cats #caturday

I don’t know why I’ve been resisting painting so much. Every time I do it I’m like, “OMFG I NEEDED THAT.” So weird. #art #musings

What in the hell is this abstract monstrosity, you might ask. To which I say, I have no clue. But it’ll be fun to add color to it and just play around. 🤷🏾‍♀️ #blueskyart #abstract

Not art related, but here are my top 5 fave books this year (no particular order). I read 71 so I have a lot to choose from…. - Nothing to Envy/Barbara Demick - Dungeon Crawler Carl series/ Matt Dinniman - The Goldfinch/Donna Tartt - Circe/Madeline Miller - Midnight Rooms/Donyae Coles #booksky

Welp. Missed a day. Oops. 🙊 😅 Here’s today’s show and tell. I made this a couple of months ago & it’ll be part of my solo show next June since the theme is florals 🌸🌻🌺 If you have a name suggestion, lemme know! Name TBD Oil on canvas 24”x18” 2025 Not for sale #art #painting #nature #flowers

Today’s art pick is “Flutterby” from 2023. This one was made with collage and oils. It was also my fave for awhile and was part of my Transformation series that year and in 2024. Flutterby 16x20 Oil and collage 2023 Sold #art #painting #nature #oils

Merry Christmas to all that celebrate 🎄! I hope Santa was good to you 😉 TY to everyone who commented in my last post. I promise I’ll respond, but I’ve been busy prepping food and wrapping last minute gifts 😅. “Serene birches”; mixed media on canvas; 2024. Sold #art #landscape #nature #painting

I don’t have anything festive for the holiday, so here’s another birch painting I did in 2024. Fog Through The Trees 9”x12” Acrylic on Gesso Board Sold #art #landscape #acrylic #painting #trees #nature #blueskyart

2 days ago I said that Santa Paws is watching & magically the tree ornaments haven’t been hunted once since then. Coincidence?!?! I think not! My husband did unknowingly step in a renegade cat turd this AM tho & tracked it around the house while the cats looked smug. So there’s that. #caturday

For today’s share, I’m going back to 2022. I guess I’m really jammin’ on portraits right now bc here’s another one. I don’t remember ever sharing this one…but don’t quote me on that. 😅. This one’s called “A Whole Ass Vibe” and it’s acrylics on paper. More context in attached post #art #portrait

I saw someone else say they were gonna post artwork each day until the new year and I thought…I like it. LET’S DO IT. This one is from 2023. I was playing with thin acrylic paints on paper and it turned out prettyyyy cool. She a mood. “Emergence” 9x12 on paper #art #blueskyart #painting #sketch

🎶Santa Claus is comin’ to town🎶 Are you on the naughty or nice list? It’s about 50/50 for me 😂 Painting: Oil on canvas, 20”x16”, Dec 2025. Not currently for sale. I think this one’s going to go into my private collection. #art #oilpainting #christmas #santa #blueskyart

I dunno about yall but I’m already tired of freezing my 🍑 off. 😂 I needed some spring vibes today so I thought I’d post these. They are from my transformation series in 2023. You can find more info & work on Substack and Kofi. How are yall getting thru the cold? #art #artadventcalendar #painting

Love your birch paintings. We are enjoying two of them. 😀

Celebrating the first snow day of the season by painting some new birches. Y’all got me excited for them again 😆. 16”x20” oil on canvas #art #painting #trees

Inspired by your Frosty Twilight, I took a punt on Gaining Clarity which drew me in online. So pleased I did - your gorgeous work is now in UK & love the textures, strokes, colours & the back story - thank you!

Them: “So how do you balance your analytical brain in your art?” Me, breathing heavily: “I create elaborate spreadsheets for my color mixing recipes. I sort them by color and create pivot tables telling me which I use the most.” *Adjusts glasses while looking smug* Them: 😨🫤😑 #art #monday #excel

Last week was wild as hell. 😂 But lots of good things happened—finished my 100 day workout challenge 👏🏾; went to my 1st black belt class at TKD in 20 years (& survived! 🥴); some cool ppl collected my art; and I finished this qween…nbd. What are yall looking forward to this wk? #art #oils #painting

I love how every artist has a different style that's wholly and uniquely them. even if ppl draw in the same general style, there's still just ✨something✨ about it that has the fingerprints of its creator and I think that's part of what makes art so beautiful

I walked into my studio to grab something today and happened to look at what I worked on last night and went 😲😲🤩🤩🤩. My inner Steve Urkel came out—“Did I do thaaaatt??” Lolol It’s a work in progress still but I’m loving it so far. #art #workinprogress #painting #oils #landscape

Painted tonight, but it’s nowhere near done, so instead here’s a piece I did in 2024 called Frosty Twilight (16”x20” mixed media). I went through a whole birches phase and this was part of that series. Anyhoooo….who’s ready for Monday?! I’m not! Lol #art #painting #mixedmedia #sundayscaries

Painted tonight instead of sketching and actually pretty pleased. This went from being “the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen and made in my entire life” to “oh, oh, this turned out pretty good!” 😂 I love art. #art #painting #oils

This is the loosest I’ve ever sketched. I usually have a very antagonistic relationship with my sketchbook so I was surprised when I wanted to get it out tonight instead of painting. Apparently I just had some shit to work out 🤷🏾‍♀️ #sketchbook #abstract #portrait #art #blueskyart

Tonight’s silly sketchbook mood. #art

SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live. Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps: * Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled * Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages

Committed to doing a solo show next year at a local studio. June-July…now to get consistent with my painting practice. I already have some pieces lined up. 👏🏾

It’s been awhile, I know. But this fall I’ve committed to doing some more creative endeavors (writing, painting, pottery…). I’ll be excited to share as the season goes by #creative #fallvibes

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted anything. This summer has been filled with pottery classes, reading, and fitness adventures. Nothing like summer to branch out do something new. Here’s a picture of one of my pottery creations after bisque firing. Glazing is up next! #pottery #blueskyart

If you haven’t seen a bumblebee butt today…☺️

To anyone who is operating their own website…make sure you are looking at renewal dates and fees. Wix just moved my renewal date ahead 5 days without notifying me, charged me (I was going to cancel), and now I’m trying to get a refund. These folks are real sneaky out here.

My new landing page is finally launched! Check it out www.nicolesimmonsart.com #blueskyart #painting #abstract #art #acrylic #mixedmedia #nature

Also here’s an adorable picture of my orange ham, Tibbers. Happy #caturday! #cats #catsofbluesky #feline #animals

Started a Substack last night and decided to republish some posts from my (soon-to-be) old blog...including this one: nicolesimmonsart.substack.com/p/13-ways-to... #artists #blueskyartshow #painting #art #abstracts #artwork

Working on transitioning my website to a new platform and yowza. What a project this is becoming. But I think it'll be worth it.

I know at some point I’m going to need/want to go back to more structured practice and representational work, but for now I just like the freedom of playing with color, brushstrokes, and value without having to worry about creating a specific subject. #abstractart #painting #artist #blueskyart

Here are some “sketch” abstracts I did today. I kinda think they turned out cool. Especially the second one. #art #painting #creative #arte #happy #sketchbook #life #gallery #paint #contemporaryart #blueskyart

I also realized that I’ve been less than inspired to paint because my studio was a mess, so I took the plunge and cleaned it. I still need to downsize a bit, but at least I have floor space now 🥴 #art #artstudio

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile. I haven’t been painting really. I’ve been more focused on creative writing. But I went to the Artsfest this weekend and it was such an inspiration. It made me realize my taste in art has really changed. I really tire of the blendy-smoothy pieces.

Interviewer: So, on a scale of 1-10 how “rebellious” would you rate yourself? Me, interviewing for the rebellion: *leans in* well you know those tags on pillows that say do not cut? I cut them. Interviewer: *Takes a moment to collect herself* So an 11?! Me: *nods emphatically*

Another abstract I created last week. I think I want to try abstracts in oils next 🫣 #art #artwork #arte #artsy #arts #creative #artistic #blueskyart #photooftheday #drawings #gallery #pencil #artlife #artgallery #abstract #painting

Abstract 3 (Name TBD) 16"x20" 2025 Acrylic on canvas #abstract #acrylic #art #painting #artist #blueskyart #artwork #blueskyartshow #abstractart

"Gaining Clarity" 2024 12"x12" Mixed media on canvas This piece has a lot of texture in it and was created after several meditation sessions. I wanted to see the difference a clear mind would make. #abstractart #art #blueskysartshow #artist #acrylic #mixedmedia #painting

A little something for the #blueskyartshow. I sold this painting last year, but sometimes I miss it 😅. #dragonfly #art #painting #artist #acrylic #oilpainting #insects #animals #lotusflower

Another abstract this Saturday. Ready to get into the studio this afternoon 🩷 #art #abstract #acrylicpainting #painting #artist #blueskyart #abstractpainting

Abstract 2 (Name TBD) Acrylic on canvas 16"x20" 2025 #art #acrylicpainting #abstractart #acrylic #blueskyart #artist #abstract

Abstract 1 (Name TBD) Acrylic on canvas 16"x20" 2025 #art #blueskyart #artist #painting #abstract #abstractart

One of my favorite things is playing around with digitally staging my work...it's so fun and these abstracts I completed this past weekend are really serving 😍 #art #artist #painting #acrylic #blueskyart

Did some abstract work this past weekend and I'm excited to share over the next few days...