Featured Artist Nicole Dornsife

Artist Nicole Dornsife explores the remarkable biodiversity of her native California through meticulous paintings and illustrations. To view more, visit her website.

 

 

I’m a wildlife enthusiast who is passionate about learning. Creating artwork has always been my way of appreciating and understanding the natural world. Meticulously studying animal forms with watercolor, pen, colored pencil, and even digital media has been a constant obsession since I was a child. I find the artistic process of sketching it out, painting, and adding details just as satisfying as the end result of having a completed painting. I simply crave making art. Being an artist has always been a core part of my life.

 

 

Born and raised in San Diego, California, I began my ongoing watercolor and pen series Treasures in 2017. It is a love letter to the flora and fauna that can be found within the diverse biomes of my home state. Each piece consists of a central animal with various plants, insects, rocks, minerals, or shells that can also be found in its native habitat surrounding it in a radial composition. A lot of research goes into each piece. Most are inspired by one or several real “treasures” I’ve personally encountered during my own outdoor adventures.

 

 

It’s with these pieces that I’ve been able to grow my full-time artistic career. It hasn’t been only through the skill building that naturally comes with consistent practice, but also in connecting with conservation organizations, parks, zoos, and other naturalists of all experience levels over our shared interests.

 

 

My art even regularly facilitates some of my favorite encounters with the public. Experts on one of the subjects of my art are thrilled to share even more interesting facts or tidbits that expand my own knowledge. Novices for whom my art is their first introduction to the wildlife can find it right in their own back yard. Enthusiasm about nature fuels my creativity. Being able to share that with others and generate more of that enthusiasm just keeps that momentum going.

 

 

Combining my art with education has also led to me being invited to create interpretive signage for regional parks across San Diego county. I’ve created design logos for nonprofit organizations, and contribute to conservation efforts through art sales and fundraising.

 

 

My work has been featured by the California Wolf Center, Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, Cabrillo National Monument, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and San Diego County Parks and Recreation. I was also recently the recipient of an artist residency and grant from the Volcan Mountain Foundation. It’s an organization dedicated to rewilding a portion of the mountains of eastern San Diego county.

 

 

This experience led to the creation of Forest Treasures – Mountain Lion, a watercolor and pen piece in my series that highlights the incredible plant and animal life that this organization is dedicated to protecting. It was auctioned off at their annual fundraising event.

 

 

I would like to do more of this work and am always open to partnering with like-minded people and organizations all over the world. They may use my art for their causes, gift shops, and fundraisers, either through wholesale, licensing, or custom commissions.

 

Nicole Dornsife invites you to follow on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook.

 

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