Background & Artistic Practice

Nicole Conner studied Fine Art at UW–Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts and earned her BFA in Interior Architecture with an emphasis in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. She spent over a decade working as an interior designer, guided by the belief that good design simplifies the complex—creating clear, meaningful connections between people and space. That same principle of thoughtful clarity carries through into her painting practice today, where structure and spontaneity meet in vibrant harmony.

In 2023, Nicole made the decision to pause her design career to raise her two children and return to her first love—painting. This transition reawakened her artistic voice and deepened her desire to create work rooted in connection, memory, and emotional presence.

Her work is influenced by the expressive compositions of Edgar Degas. Like her artistic hero, Nicole treats each brushstroke as an intentional act—particularly when painting animals. She brings a contemporary sensibility to her work through the use of unexpected color and expressive contrasts, giving each piece a modern edge while preserving its emotional depth. Whether capturing the quiet wisdom in a beloved pet’s eyes or the subtle gestures that reveal their personality, she approaches each portrait as both an artistic study and a personal tribute. 

Nicole’s pet portraits go beyond likeness. Through layered color, texture, and movement, her paintings seek to reveal the inner life of each animal—the bond they share with their people, the stories held in familiar expressions, and the comfort of a presence that feels like home.

Through her work, Nicole Conner invites viewers to slow down and look closer—to honor the animals who walk beside us, often quietly, yet leave an indelible mark on our lives.