Nic R. Wood is a curious problem solver.
Born in Yellowknife, NWT Canada in 1982, Nic spent her youth as the new kid in school. Every couple of years there was a new house and a new school, so naturally, travel became a big part of her adulthood. At the age of seven while living in Owen Sound, ON, she attended painting classes at the local gallery. That lead to more art instruction by professional artist Ursula Reese.
A wonderful teacher in high school encouraged Nic to become an editor for the yearbook, which provided lots of time to learn about the digital world and Photoshop. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of Guelph, travel was on the agenda. A year in Australia allowed for many new artistic discoveries. The next year was spent in Europe living and working in Amsterdam with lots of trips to different European countries. After returning to Guelph, Nic partnered with her long time friend and they spent the next decade living and working in Belize, Montreal, Toronto, Victoria and then back to Ontario where they now live with their daughter.
Moving around a lot can be a challenge. Throughout the years however, Nic has been able to maintain an artistic practice. Her love of the natural world has been a constant theme in her work. Expressing herself through painting has been another constant but the materials used have shifted. Oil paint on canvas was the medium of choice throughout her youth. As she got older, the desire for less objects grew. Paint-on-glass animation was a great way to keep painting while traveling partly because it doesn’t produce objects. After giving birth, Nic decided to move away from oil paint and explore watercolour and natural pigments. Making paint from cocoa butter and powder made sense since she also created a craft chocolate business. A love of process and materials will continue to guide her work.
Artist CV
Relevant Employment
- 2022-present
- Marble Story Design
- 2019-present
- World Tree Chocolate | Artist/Curator
- 2017-2020
- Silver Creek Nursery | Graphic Design
- 2014-2016
- Three Hour Sail, Victoria | Sail covers painting, Graphic Design, Photo Edits
- 2014 – 2016
- The Robert Bateman Centre, Victoria | Drawing Instructor, Event Assistant
- 2014
- Huntingdon Manor, Victoria | Artisans Lane manager
- 2013
- Grand River Hospital, Kitchener | Graphic Design
- 2012
- Manhattans Restaurant, Guelph | Commercial Production – Animation
- 2012
- Motorcycle Rentals & Alternate Adventures, Belize | Mural
- 2012
- Hopkins HelpAge Center, Belize | Mural
- 2012
- Home-school Network, Belize | Instructor, Stop-motion animation workshops
- 2010
- Flying Monkeys Productions, Amsterdam | Project Coordinator
- 2006 – 2008
- Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph | Collections Management Assistant, Exhibition Assistant, Gallery Representative, Tour Guide
Exhibitions
- 2020
- ART@ebar, Guelph | Group show “ELEMENTAL” – painting included ‘Honduras’
- 2017
- SHORE Centre, Kitchener | ‘Flow’ Paintings
- 2016
- Fairfield Market, Victoria | ‘Flow’ Paintings
- 2015
- Nuit Blanche Toronto | Open Screen ‘TAMRINATOR’, ‘O&W’
- 2014
- Art Gallery of Greater Victoria | Black and White Essentials drawings from ‘Cedar Shadows’ animation
- 2012
- Galerie Armatta, Montréal | Film Screening: ‘Journey’ paint-on-glass video screened as part of CBC series
- 2011
- Culture Days, Guelph | Installation: ‘Ignatius Forest Project’
- 2011
- H2O Gallery, Barcelona | Video Session: ‘Passport to Ride’
- 2009
- Ed Video Gallery, Guelph | Film Screening: ‘The Search’
- 2007
- Zavitz Gallery, Guelph | Installation: ‘Christmas Show’
Education
Self-Directed Learning — research on topics like colour theory, design, website creation, creative writing
- 2002 – 2007
- University of Guelph | B.A. (Hons) Studio Art, Philosophy (minor)
- 2006
- Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph | Art History Internship
- 2002 – 2003
- Guelph School of Art | Oil painting, life drawing
- 2000
- Haliburton School of Fine Arts | Oil painting, life drawing, colour course
- 2000
- Cambridge Galleries | High school co-op placement
- 1995-1999
- Personal art instruction by professional artist Ursula Reese with a focus on oil painting
- 1989
- Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound | Acrylic painting classes
Volunteer Experience
- 2014
- Open Space Artist-Run Centre, Victoria | Special Events & Admin
- 2012
- Paint-by-Number Community Project, Belize | Project Coordinator
- 2010
- Streetprov Flash Mobs, Amsterdam | Project Coordinator
- 2009
- Woodford Folk Festival, Australia | Arts Program Assistant
- 2009
- Homewood Healthcare Facility, Guelph | Arts Program Volunteer
- 2007, 2009, 2011
- Hillside Music Festival, Guelph | Risk Management, Central Command
- 2005 – 2007
- Guelph Creative Arts Association | Executive Member, Exhibitions Committee
Publications
- 2021
- ‘Cacao to Chocolate: Midge and the Chocolate Rainbow’
- 2020
- Read Cacao Issue Three | Article ‘Chocolate Landscapes: Using cacao as paint and ink to produce artworks’
Videos
Involved in Creation: Four Aces, 24 hour film challenge, Written in Clay, Helen, Ben Ik Napoleon, Hallowed Ground Stop-Motion, O&W
Paint-on-glass videos: The Search, Passport to Ride, Backyard Bounty, Sail, Hobo, Journey, Manhattans, Roadside Butterflies, Yellow Sky Lesson, TAMRINATOR, Spinning Bee
Residencies
- 2011
- Perla 337, Barcelona