Through her Brush: The Beauty of Black Art with Chelsea Nicole

Written by Margaret White

“I come from a family of artists and not just painters. We have musicians, dancers, singers, and painters.” 

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Chelsea Nicole grew up surrounded by creativity and art through her family. It only seemed natural that she, too, would discover an affinity for the arts. Seeing her family succeed in their passions influenced Chelsea to pursue her own talents and aspirations.

Although Chelsea considers the fine arts as her first love, she pursued a degree in graphic design from St. John’s University and achieved her BFA. She believes that studying graphic design has only made her a better artist, sharpened her skills, and made her versatile when creating her art.

“As a Black woman, I find pride in specializing in Black art,” said Chelsea. Her latest collection focuses on self-love. Chelsea found that her own journey towards self-love plays a huge part in her development as a Black woman and an artist. “My pieces are very Afrocentric; learning to love the skin that you’re in and knowing your worth reflects on my personal growth,” she shares.

When asked if she had any words of advice for aspiring artists and creatives, Chelsea said: “Be authentic and transparent with your craft. Don’t be afraid to tap into different emotions and let that show through into your work. This can set you apart from other artists.”