My name is Nikki de Zwart and I am an emerging artist of Dutch origin. Painting is my medium of choice, but I also very much enjoy sculpting as well. Therefore, I tent to cross-experiment with these two different art forms, by incorporating sculptural elements to my paintings and exploring the boundaries between two and three-dimensional form. I haven't always been so focused on art. While growing up in the Netherlands, I developed a strong interest in animals, wildlife and the natural environment, which reflects in my artistic creations.

 

I started experimenting with painting in 2015. As a child, I used to be very creative. However, it had never crossed my mind to become an artist as I was mainly interested in developing a career around my passion for animals and wildlife. This was about to change when I taught myself to paint by watching Youtube tutorials. After receiving positive feedback from friends and peers, I felt inspired to venture toward this new creative journey. It felt like I had discovered some kind of magic when I realised I could give physical shape to my visions and ideas by using a paint brush. There was something very satisfying about that. My paintings became part of a fundraising project for  the journey that I was about to undertake, all the way to the other side of the world: Australia!!
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In April 2016, I arrived in Melbourne, where I continued to paint while I travelled and worked my way around the South,-East and West Coast for nearly two years, until I eventually settled in Perth to study the Diploma of Visual Arts at the North Metropolitan TAFE (2018-2019). Perth was my haven and by far, my most favourite city in Australia. I thoroughly enjoyed my art classes, especially sculpture and developed a passion for working with clay, 
I ended up exploring portraiture through both painting and sculpting, and love combining these different elements. Most of my work seems to emerge from my connection with nature, and in particular the ocean, with its captivating energy of freedom and the promise of change that awaits us at the horizon. In my art, I display feelings of unity with the natural world, which allows me to cherish a deeper sense of connection.
 
During my two years of studying Visual Arts, I exhibited my work at several group exhibitions, competitions and even a small humble solo show. After graduating in 2019, I started a new job at a School of Early Learning. I enjoy guiding children in creative projects and love helping them to express themselves. This inspired me to start developing my own art programs for children. I now create and facilitate my own painting workshops and courses for kids at community centres and art centres in Perth.
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If you are interested in of my art classes, workshops or wish to purchase an original work,  or consider to commission me to create something special for you, then I encourage you to contact me and we can discuss the possibilities. If you are interested in painting classes for yourself or your children, please send me an email or text and also keep an eye out on the bookings page of the website. If you are an artist or an arts organisation and would like to collaborate with me on creative projects, please feel free to get in touch!
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Email: ndezwart86@hotmail.com
Phone: 0481 859 429 
 

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