Born in Hollywood, and raised in the San Fernando Valley, I painted a few things when I was a kid, then took a decades-long break. I began painting again in 2001.

In 2003, in my desire to relinquish the egoic moniker of "self-taught" and actually learn something from others (and not just from books and museums and galleries,) I took a few classes at the Otis Art Institute. And a couple at Choiunard.

I've had paintings at the Orlando Gallery, the Brea Gallery, the Keller & Greene Gallery, Tarfest, 2 Roads Gallery, and have participated in several group shows at the La Luz de Jesus Gallery, The Hive and Create:Fixate.

In 2007, I had my first Solo Exhibit at the Conference Room Gallery in Beverly Hills.

I love the Pop Art of the 60s and its exposure of the manipulation inherent in advertising. Although I don't feel overtly political, I similarly like to shine the light on our attachments. Currently, the connection between terrorism and commerce - as represented in my recent paintings of front page horror mashed-up with happy Macy's underwear ads. Feel anxious about terrorism? Just buy some underwear.

A most happy side-effect of painting has been to discover even deeper abilities to love. I find it expansive and illuminating how just our attention - even seemingly objective attention - to a person or object, can create an intimacy of sorts. Perhaps if I paint everything, I'll eventually feel connected to everything: the praying Muslims, the male underwear model, the turquoise vespa, the 50s housewife. It is all us anyway.

To quote Balthus: "To paint is not to represent, but to penetrate, to go to the heart of the secret, to work in a way that reflects the interior image." I aspire to reflect and penetrate, not merely represent. I am so not there yet, but I’m trying. Of course, Balthus was sort of pervy, so whatever.

However, I do like bringing secrets to the surface. To bring out the dark or unspoken or sexual, in a light-hearted and colorful and humorous way.

I mean, what is really so scary about a butt plug, when it is painted in lush color with beautiful lighting? Just getting my dear friend - a fundamentalist Christian - to say "butt plug" in conversation was a joyful and silly thing.

I like what Keith Harring said: "I've got to make a stand for joy before I disappear. That's what an artist does."

In terms of artists who have influenced me (not that you asked) - my favorites are James Rosenquist, Wayne Thiebaud, R. Kenton Nelson, Stanton MacDonald Wright, Magritte, Dorothea Tanning, and Cezanne.

I remember as a kid having books of Norman Rockwell, Vermeer and Titian, and spending hours mesmerized by what they could do.

When I wasn't trying on makeup.

Nikki Nash
Los Angeles, CA
October 2008