Nicole graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. Her work is primarily concerned with capturing that sense of awe and wonder I feel in nature by blending the beauty of mathematical and scientific elements with creative expression. She uses organic patterns to express the universal truth that we are purposefully and powerfully made and that the care used to design the Heavens and the Earth was used to design each of us.

“The Buffalo Creek Art Center is not only a place of incredible resources and creative inspiration, but also fosters a supportive community of artists that helped elevate my work and challenged me to deepen my mastery. Steve, the owner of the center, first reached out to me after discovering my work on Instagram and invited me to spend a month at the residency. Alongside Steve, the onsite manager and crew created a safe, supportive, and welcoming atmosphere (even with the occasional bear sighting to remind us we were immersed in nature!) It was such a wonderful opportunity to get to know the other artists in the residency as well. Each grouping of artists is going to be different, but my group was very professional and engaging. Almost every day Steve would stop by the studios, sparking thought provoking conversations with all of the artists that energized the workday. It was a wonderful opportunity to expand my network of artists and make some lifelong friends.

My sculptures, rooted in science and mathematics, often explore themes like fractals, neurons, constellations, and geological formations. Through this residency I chose to focus on geologically inspired ceramics. Each piece is a meditation influenced by the beautiful surroundings of Buffalo Creek. Nestled up against a mountain with spectacular views of the valley, the environment was a constant source of inspiration. This is one of the best residences for sculpture, they are equipped to handle all kinds of metal and clay works. It was so nice to have so much space to work in and to really bring some focus to my work. As a mom of five kids, with my family making their own sacrifices for me to come out, I wanted to make every minute count. I was able to create 6 ceramic sculptures to add to my portfolio and now have several opportunities to showcase my work.”

– Nicole Woodbury

Artist’s Interview