Artist Profile
Welcome to the heart and soul of creativity, where every brushstroke is a testament to passion, dedication, and boundless imagination. I'm Nicky Myny, an artist devoted to unlocking the transformative power of art and guiding you on a journey of inspiration and self-discovery.
As an artist, my work is a reflection of profound storytelling, capturing emotions, experiences, and the intricate nuances of life. Each piece is a visual symphony, weaving together vibrant colors, evocative textures, and captivating narratives that resonate with the soul.
With a Master in Arts from PXL University and numerous exhibitions and travels across the globe, my artistic journey is one of continuous exploration, seeking to spark conversations, ignite inspiration, and evoke a profound sense of connection and meaning in every observer.
Beyond the strokes of a brush, my art is a celebration of empowerment, self-discovery, and the timeless pursuit of beauty and truth. Each piece invites you to delve into a universe of emotion, contemplation, and sheer wonder, igniting a dialogue that spans cultures, transcends boundaries, and embraces the universal language of art.
Artist Statement
“My mission is to explore the relationship between what we see around us and what we experience internally. My work is about translating perceptual states into visual language.
I am particularly interested in creating atmospheres that awake our sense of wholeness. I use juxtaposing effects and expansive fields of colors as well as vibrating and dissolving accents to evoke energy and interconnectivity.
I draw my inspiration from the many connections and landscapes I have encountered, from the familiar communities in Belgium where I spent my childhood, to the grounded yet vivid surroundings of South Africa, where I now live. I start with my memories of colors and atmosphere. I then let the process guide me to create an image that links my memories with the present moment to capture "the now."
I believe that art should serve as a reflection of our innermost being - a mirror we hold up to both society and ourselves, enabling us to confront the complexities of our world. My intention is to encourage the observer to ponder what he or she is looking at with the ultimate goal of fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for our shared humanity.
One of my favorite "visual words" is the use of paper parts. This mark-making technique holds a special place in my heart due to its universal symbolism. From its simple, joyful evocation of childhood play to the intricate patterns that narrate stories similar to Aboriginal art, it's a tool that allows me to weave narratives within my work.
My process involves abstract collage, painting with acrylic, drawing with oil pastels, sketching portraits and taking digital photography. I navigate between series of small works, large-scale canvases and in case of commissioned artworks i also use personal co-creation experiences as a tool to capture the "now" and the "authentic energy" of the person being portrayed.
Throughout my life I have been strongly influenced by artists from the color field movement, like Helen Frankenthaler, and by Lionel Smit's large-scale contemporary portraits.
With unwavering dedication, I work tirelessly to refine my skills and infuse my pieces with a unique energy and passion while seeking to reveal my true self through art.”
BIO
I have always loved art, but when I went to University, I chose the “practical” course and studied psychology. Then my life changed. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and was in out of hospitals for two years. Art became my personal convalescence and ultimate healing program. My desire to explore my passion in art led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Arts. For over 15 years, I have passionately focused on the power of creative processes and on bringing them to others. I have painted individually and in co-creations, helping others to heal and using my personal career to support awareness of art’s power to help heal the world.
Through collaborations, public speaking and mentoring sessions, I pass on creativity's unstoppable power and prove how it can intersect with personal development. My efforts have been welcomed by a variety of industries and even made it to the stage of the SDG Tent at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Process
I am reflexively responding to painting as a metaphor for the various emotions and experiences that manifest in our daily lives. Every stroke of the brush or movement of the pencil is an intricate dance between my personal growth and the rich tapestry of the world that surrounds us.
Through the medium of bold, colourful acrylics and paper, I aim to express the intricate nuances and complexities of my innermost thoughts and feelings. It is my goal to create a visual language that bridges the gap between our internal and external worlds, giving voice to the unspoken and the unseen.
My work is rooted in the very essence of the human experience; a constant process of growth, reflection, and evolution. Whether it is the vibrant hues of a sunset or the intricate patterns of a butterfly's wings, I draw inspiration from the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
In my artistic practice, I draw inspiration from my personal experiences as well as from the world around me. My compositions are a celebration of the beauty in everyday moments, and an exploration of the complexities of the human experience. I approach painting as a metaphor for emotions and experiences, and aim to create works that resonate with viewers on a deeper level.
Ultimately, my artistic process is to continue to grow and evolve as an artist, and to create works that inspire and provoke thought, emotion, and connection.
EDUCATION
2022 CO-ACTIVE COACH, professionally trained co-active coach (PCC) at CTI, accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
2020 FORMATION in the FORMULATION and TRAINING, IRSE, Institute for Research in Semiology of Expression, Paris, France
2015 MASTER’S DEGREE WITH DISTINCTION IN VISUAL ARTS, PXL University College, MAD School of Arts - Hasselt, Belgium
2012-2014 BACHELOR IN GRAPHIC DESIGN, PXL University College, MAD School of Arts - Hasselt, Belgium
2009-2011 DIPLOMA FASHION AND STYLING, Syntra - Hasselt, Belgium
2005-2006 PSYCHOLOGY, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
Accomplishments in groups
2023 Arts in Balans, launch of a self-care platform for doctors, Belgium
2022 Unlocking Eve, Launch in SDG Tent at World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland2021 Fine Art and Corporate Partnership with Roche Belux, Belgium & Luxemburg
2020 Member of the IRSE, Institute for Research in Semiology of Expression, Paris, France
2018 Public Choice Award of the Wonder Women Award, Modemuseum Hasselt, Belgium
2018 Finalist of the Wonder Women Award, Modemuseum Hasselt, Belgium
2018 ‘Silver Cross of Merit’ by the Order of The Netherlands y la Hispanidad - Brussels, Belgium
2017 Conceptual Fashion Design and Artwork, Brides of Lucifer
2015 Honored Visual Artist, Conceptual Project ‘Klopklas’, PXL University College, MAD School of Arts - Hasselt, Belgium
EXHIBITIONS
2024 Cultural Centre Gasthuis, Aarschot, Belgium
2024 ‘Earth Sisters’ Pearl Valley, South-Africa
2023 Quadro Atelier & Gallery, Aarschot, Belgium
2023 ‘Daring Deities’ Artkom, Aarschot, Belgium
2021 Kunstroute-Hageland, CC Gasthuis, Aarschot, Belgium
2020 Kunstroute-Hageland, CC Gasthuis, Aarschot, Belgium
2020 Group Exhibition, Marie Thumas Collective, Leuven, Belgium
2019 Duo Exposition, Hara-Flux, Leuven, Belgium
2019 Kunstroute-Leuven, Belgium
2018 Kunst in de steigers, 30CC , Predikherenkerk Leuven, Belgium
2018 SAV AKA SHOWCASE ART VLAANDEREN, CC Kasteel Coloma Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium
2017 IPOPITUP, Pop-up expo Aarschot, Belgium
2017 INTERNATIONAAL SALON VOOR BEELDENDE KUNST, GC Kasteel Westerlo, Belgium
2016 DE GALERIE, J. Theys Farm, Kortrijk-Dutsel, Belgium
2015 EXIT, Herkenrode Kazerne, Hasselt, Belgium
2013 LA MERVEILLEUSE GALERIE, La Merveilleuse, Dinant, Belgium