Nicole Fenoff, Artist in Residence
- theuxlocale
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Nicole Fenoff: Instagram
This collaboration began as a curiosity about what it means to invite art into daily life. Calling Nicole our artist in residence felt instinctive, not formal, but true. Historically, these kinds of projects create space for artists to step outside routine and form a deeper connection with the people who encounter their work. What unfolded here was unexpected, joyful, and deeply personal.
What stood out almost immediately was the overlap between audiences. Guests shared that they already knew Nicole’s work, some quite literally “wearing their heart on their sleeve.” Seeing that recognition surface so organically made it clear that this project wasn’t being introduced to a new audience, it was meeting an existing one in a new way.
The work itself grew from a long-held idea. I had been hoping for a lasting art piece, something mural-like but more intimate. Inspired by Sicilian pottery, I imagined bold floral forms layered with the logo I sketched during a quiet moment in 2020. Nicole took that initial vision and expanded it with care and precision, allowing the piece to evolve naturally. I asked her to work while guests were dining, believing the act of creation itself could be part of the experience, and I think she may … allowing guests to watch the colors take shape in real time will bring a sense of wonder into the room.
As the flowers emerged, I found myself dreaming that they were growing in my own garden. That feeling of getting lost in beauty, of letting art seep into the subconscious, stayed with me. The center of the boards remains intentionally open, reserved for rotating weekly quotes, allowing the piece to continue changing and speaking.
What this experience reinforced for me is the power of collaboration rooted in trust. Nicole’s attention to detail, her patience, and her generosity with process are evident in every line and color. This work is still unfolding, and that feels right. Some art isn’t meant to arrive finished, but to grow alongside the space it inhabits.
