Nicolle Cure is a Colombian-American artist and hearing health advocate, born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and based in Miami, Florida. Her paintings, known for their calming and serene qualities, are deeply influenced by her personal experiences and journey with hearing loss. Each work offers a profound sense of tranquility and connection, and her art is widely collected by art patrons globally.

Her abstract paintings explore the relationship between sound and daily life, inspired by her sudden unilateral hearing loss in 2017 and subsequent diagnosis of Ménière's disease–a vestibular health condition affecting her hearing and balance. Consequently, Nicolle shifted her creative approach and style to illustrate her experience with hearing loss through color and movement. This pivotal moment in her life resulted in the birth of her signature series, The Colors of Sound. She uses mixed-media techniques incorporating soft washes and mark-making to create fluid, abstract, energetic, yet calming paintings.

Nicolle is constantly exploring the duality of emotions and sensations; this is represented by how she interchanges color palettes from collection to collection – alternating from very bright and energetic colors to serene neutral palettes, contrasting a wide range of moods, sounds, and visual cues. For instance, her recent series titled The Calm Collection, displays a beautifully soft, muted palette with earthy tones that serve as a window to a calming place. In these peaceful, abstract sonic landscapes, the viewers can feel relaxed and let their imagination fly. She compares these new pieces to whispers and sweet lullabies.

Alternatively, her series Bubblegum & Midnight Blues is an orchestra of expressive brushstrokes featuring a whimsical and vibrant color palette aimed at bringing joy and pleasant memories to the viewer. This is an example of her versatile work, as she is constantly investigating and, exploring and pushing herself to new creative challenges in her studio.

Nicolle graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and has worked with world-renowned ad agencies and media companies. She also has an Associate's degree in Computer Arts Animation and holds multiple certifications from The Sotheby's Institute of Art.


ARTIST STATEMENT

Expressing myself through visual art has been my preferred language from an early age, and it became the cornerstone of my identity. Growing up in the lively city of Barranquilla, Colombia, near the vibrant Caribbean Sea, I was surrounded by a joyful and colorful culture that served as constant inspiration. My creative roots run deep, influenced by my father—an architect and painter—and my mother, a textile/fashion designer. For me, art is not merely an activity; it's a way of life.

In 2017, my creative journey took an unexpected turn with the onset of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), Tinnitus*, and Hyperacusis** This pivotal moment became a catalyst for a profound exploration of my art.The intersection of sound and daily life emerged as a focal point in my abstract paintings, infusing them with a unique depth and purpose. This transformative journey not only reshaped my artistic expression but also ignited my advocacy for hearing health.

My art serves as a means of transcending to a quiet, serene place, evident in my ongoing series, The Calm Collection. This body of work, comprised of mixed media paintings on canvas, paper, and wood panels, is crafted with the intention of transporting both myself and the viewer to a tranquil mental scape.

Through my paintings, I delve into and illustrate my relationship with sound, utilizing multiple translucent layers and washes of ink and acrylic paint. Each layer lays the groundwork for intricate yet soft lines, weaving a story mirroring the undulating patterns of sound waves. The repetition of lines acts as a form of meditation, providing a safe space to quiet external and internal noise.

Another recurring theme in my paintings is negative space surrounding the focal point, symbolizing the act of masking sound—a parallel to my real-life experience with Sound Therapy. This therapy involves gradual exposure to sound to desensitize my auditory system, alleviating my negative reaction to certain frequencies causing pain and discomfort.

At its core, my painting process is intuitive. Approaching each piece layer by layer, I allow each brushstroke to respond to the one before it. Without a sketchbook or pre-planned compositions, I teeter on the delicate balance between steering outcomes and being pleasantly surprised by organic shapes emerging "by accident," grabbing the spotlight in a piece. It's a thrilling, albeit sometimes nerve-wracking, experience. Regardless of the highs and lows, each piece ultimately finds its way and comes together in a harmonious composition.