Nicole is one of iofoto’s digital artists, and a co-leader for the overall iofoto digital team. Her amazing sense of creativity, human warmth and relentless work ethic ensure that iofoto images are always technically perfect. Photo by Gray Mitchell.
How did you get interested in art & photography?
io:
Nicole: I’ve always been a visual person and have been making art for as long as I can remember. I appreciate all forms of art and expression. Art is everywhere in life and it doesn’t have to be hanging in a gallery to be art - you just have to open your eyes to it. I can find just as much beauty in a piece of rubber that flew off an 18 wheeler after a blowout that has tendrils and looks like an animal, as a painting hanging in a gallery with a huge price tag on it. Art is all about the emotion it brings.
What’s the most fun part of being a digital artist?
io:
Nicole: You can create you own reality… there are absolutely NO limits to what can be done.
What type of images are the hardest to color-correct?
io:
Nicole: Definitely skin tones when you are dealing with multiple light sources and different color casts! It’s not fun when your subjects have multicolored limbs! You just may start out with a blue arm, a yellow hand, an orange face and purple lips!
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a digital artist?
io:
Nicole: Just throw yourself in there and don’t be afraid to experiment. The more problems you run into and solve, the better you get. You just keep picking up new tricks as you go along.
What keeps you busy when you’re not enhancing photos?
io:
Nicole: Oh boy! I have a lot of cats! They sure do keep me busy! I work mostly with homeless non-adoptable feral cats - they are the bottom of the barrel where cats are concerned. They really have it hard - most are born, suffer and die without anyone ever knowing of their existence. I work with a non-profit organization committed to the humane management of feral cats utilizing the TNR program (trap/neuter/release) and assist and educate the public about homeless feral cats. It’s a full-time job on top of my full-time job! When not caring for my 100 cats I like to watch colored bugs walk across my porch, turn over rocks, listen to the wind, build larger than life sculptures (most of them light up), do burners in my Muscle Car, find treasures at Thrift Stores and Yard Sales, put rusty things in my yard, laugh with my Sweety…….there are just too many things to list!
Why do you have pink hair?
io:
Nicole: It makes me happy!
