FASHION
FASHION AND ACCESSORIES DESIGNER, AND DOWNTOWN DARLING, WENDY NICHOL TRANSCENDS INTO PAINTING
Wendy Nichol, acclaimed for her couture fashion and accessory designs, embarks on a new artistic journey with her painting exhibition “Departing The World Once More”. Now on view at her SoHo showroom, this collection reflects her deepening exploration of form and emotion.
Departing The World Once More by Wendy Nichol
AS IF: Wendy, you are a couture and accessory designer, and have recently discovered painting. You’re exhibiting your first series of works in your SoHo showroom. What inspired you to pick up the paintbrush?
Wendy Nichol: I was driving through Napeague in Long Island one day and saw a little art studio offering painting classes and had a full-body sort of yes moment. I got out of my car, went inside and there was paint everywhere on the floor, over the easels, and there were spiritual beings in there slowly creating this work, and I knew I was supposed to be here. So, I immediately signed up for a class. I had never properly painted before. I had a handbag collection where I did gold leafing and edge painting, so I did have a hand for the brush, but not in the way that you would make a painting, painting. So, I took a class and we went through the process of color theory, and some art history, we did line drawing and pencil sketching, and then we had a live model who came in that we sketched, and then we got to use paint and paintbrushes. I was looking forward to that day because I was panicked about trying it. Oh my God, Tatijana may understand this because you work with fashion and see the construction of gowns and garments and how they are constructed on the body. There’s so much masterful precision and accuracy that goes into producing these things that have to form and flatter the body, and the same goes for jewelry and handbags. I’ve been living in a 3D world of precision and accuracy and finally was able to express myself without those boundaries for once; I was now able to create something where I didn’t have a subject that I had to fit, nor did I have to consider anyone in this creative expression except for myself. The freedom was so enticing and delicious that my brain was exploding! I was fifty years old and felt like a kid discovering some-thing for the first time.
