Acrylic Painting
Nicole Donegan
Nicole Donegan is an Australian artist whose work celebrates the intersection of emotion and the natural world.
Artist Profile
Nicole Donegan is an Australian artist whose work celebrates the intersection of emotion and the natural world. Drawing inspiration from landscapes, carefully chosen florals, poetry, and the transformative power of colour, she creates paintings that capture fleeting moments and deep feelings.
Her intuitive approach allows each brushstroke to contribute to a larger emotional narrative, building layers of meaning through organic mark-making and thoughtful colour relationships. Working from a place of genuine connection Nicole lets the paint and canvas guide her toward moments of truth and beauty.
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I work primarily in acrylic and mixed media on canvas. I'm drawn to acrylics because of their versatility and vibrant color possibilities as they allow me to build layers quickly while maintaining the vibrancy I seek in my work.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
My process is quite organic and intuitive. It often begins with a feeling or moment – perhaps inspired by a particular light in the landscape, a line of poetry, or the way flowers are arranged in my studio. I don't typically start with detailed sketches; instead, I let the initial brushstrokes guide the direction of the piece. I work in layers, allowing each stage to inform the next. The painting reveals itself through color relationships and mark-making – I'm constantly responding to what's emerging on the canvas. This intuitive approach means each piece evolves naturally toward its final form and collection.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
My studio is very much an extension of my creative process – it's organised chaos that somehow makes perfect sense to me! I have large windows that flood the space with natural light, which is essential for how I work with colour. The walls are covered with works in progress, color studies, and inspiration pieces, poetry clippings, pressed flowers, photographs of landscapes that have caught my eye. I keep fresh flowers in the studio whenever possible. The hand-picked arrangements I mentioned are often sitting right there as I paint, becoming both inspiration and subject matter. My palette tends to be quite large because I love having access to a full range of colors as I work intuitively.
Career Highlights
- Sold out collections at Affordable Art Fair three years running. Represented by Jumbled Gallery.
- Work collected across Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, and Europe.
- Becoming a painter with collectors and being able to work part-time to dedicate time to expanding my practice. There's something amazing about reaching a point where your art supports itself and allows you the freedom to explore new creative directions. Having collectors who believe in your work enough to live with it daily is incredibly humbling and motivating.
