Nicole Cromwell is a contemporary abstract artist based in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and the founder of Nicole Cromwell Gallery. After a 25-year career in critical care nursing, Nicole transitioned to painting full time, opening an artist-owned gallery to present her work.
Nicole has been painting for over a decade, drawing inspiration from the colors, light, and rhythms of the Monterey Bay. Her work includes contemporary seascapes and abstract florals known for their refined color palettes, modern coastal aesthetic, and quiet emotional depth. Each painting is created with intention and restraint, designed to live beautifully in a space over time rather than demand attention.
Deeply influenced by her background in nursing, Nicole is interested in the restorative and grounding qualities of art. Her creative practice is rooted in the belief that visual environments matter, and that art can offer moments of calm, balance, and reflection in everyday life. Through her work, she aims to create paintings that feel steady, serene, and enduring.
In addition to her studio practice, Nicole is the author of two hospital wellness journals and the creator of an online course focused on creativity and well-being, extending her work beyond the gallery and into spaces of care and reflection.
Biography
Photo by Erin Venable Photography
Artist Statement
I work primarily in acrylic, creating contemporary paintings inspired by the natural world. Drawing from coastal environments, open horizons, and organic forms, my work reflects a sense of calm and spaciousness rooted in the landscapes that surround me.
Working intuitively, I focus on layered surfaces and restrained palettes that allow space for reflection. Rather than telling a specific story, my paintings are meant to be experienced. I’m interested in how color, movement, and composition can create a feeling of balance and openness, giving viewers room to bring their own interpretation and emotional response.
My background in nursing has shaped how I think about environments and well-being. I believe the art we live with matters, not as decoration, but as something that quietly supports how we feel and move through our days. Through my work, I aim to create paintings that feel steady, hopeful, and grounding, offering comfort and connection over time.
