Category Archives: The Artist’s Thoughts

Impressionist artist M. Nicole van Dam shares her thoughts about life, creativity, art.

TV Interview Being Filmed July 6!

Exciting News – I just learned last night that I will be interviewed July 6 by the engaging George Alger for the award winning Ventura Cable Channel 6 TV – which is the number 1 weekly community cable tv and … Continue reading

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“Chef at the Farmer’s Market” Scarf Selling at National Department Stores

                  Fun news – my Chef at the Farmer’s Market scarf is the latest design to be offered by the Christopher & Banks department stores!    Many, many thanks to Christopher & … Continue reading

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Delft

                      Delft is inspired by my Dutch heritage and love of the traditional Dutch Delfy blue and white china.  “Delft” features cows enjoying a lazy ‘chat’ amidst a field of … Continue reading

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Roulettes

                Roulettes is my version of roses deconstructed into abstract shapes and fall colors.  This also marks my developing a new technique to create thick layers of colors.      “Roulettes” is an homage to … Continue reading

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Spanish Rose

Spanish Rose celebrates the lively romance of the Spanish dance.  This work was inspired by Flamenco dancing first, but as I researched Spanish dance I learned that there is much more to Spanish dancing – including Bolero, Fandango, Paso doble, … Continue reading

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Rodeo Rose

Rodeo Rose is a feminine twist on the Western Rodeo, and features a female rider on her bucking bronco, surrounded by softly hued, almost suede like colors, roses, and lucky horse shoes.  Some of the horse shoes are interlinked to … Continue reading

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Balboa Bay

Balboa Bay  is my memory of where I grew up, in Newport Beach, with all the sun fun and sailing that goes with it. I wanted you to feel like you were flying into my memories of Balboa like a … Continue reading

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A Cardinal Christmas

In Cardinal Christmas  I wanted to create a bright, cheery nature-themed artwork for the Winter holidays, with bright reds against a wintery sky.  If you look closely you will also see delicate pine cones tucked in tufts of snow and … Continue reading

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Lady of the Leaves

Lady of the Leaves Lady of the Leaves, created in 2015, was inspired by my lovely childhood daydreams and imaginings (which I admit I still enjoy when working in my garden).  It was so fun to imagine flower fairies and magical beings … Continue reading

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Beautifully Big Ben

Beautifully Big Ben features not only Big Ben, but the flowers of England (the rose), Wales (the daffodil), Scotland (the Scottish thistle and the Scottish bluebell), and the clover of Northern Ireland.  The more you look a this artwork, the … Continue reading

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“Tempo – The Rhythm & Rhyme of the Artist” now in its 2d Edition

“Tempo-The Rhythm and Rhyme of the Artist”™ (which is the second book in the Artimagination® Inspiration Books series) is now in its 2d Edition. This 2d Edition includes a few new artworks, poems, and inspirational sayings, and also includes a … Continue reading

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Country Autumn

Country Autumn is my way of welcoming the fall season, rich with holidays, with a warm impressionist palette and colorful fall foliage. I wanted to create a scene that reminded me of the lovely autumns I spent back East, which … Continue reading

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Gorgeous New Rain & Garden Boots !

I’m always thrilled to share new products made with my art, but this post has special sentimental meaning for me. First a little background: Some ten years ago I created an artwork for my Mom several years ago called “I … Continue reading

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Season’s Sparrow

So often the lovely sparrow is overlooked, but I love the sparrows in my garden. For one of my first licensing projects, I was asked to design a 3D jar, and I decided to create a jar honoring the sparrows … Continue reading

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The Vegetable Garden is PLANTED!

Admittedly, I’m later in getting the veggie boxes done this year than ever before – in large part because my world of art has been unusually demanding – but I’m glad to say the veggie boxes are now fully planted. … Continue reading

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Creativity Beyond the Canvas

I have discovered that it is so refreshing – INSPIRING – to work with other creative people. My advice to any artist who feels burned out is to have some fun working with another creative person on an entirely different … Continue reading

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Butterfly Magic!

We were taken to a magical butterfly adventure at Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale – so worth seeing! Kudos to Butterfly Wonderland for making such a great, beautiful and educational butterfly sanctuary. There are many volunteers there that teach you things … Continue reading

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Spring is HERE and the Garden is ALIVE!

It’s absolutely glorious outside!  Spring is here, the fruit trees have more flowers than ever, we have a few twittering bird tenants in the nesting boxes, and the veggie garden is planted!  -And yes, I know, the tomatoes will take … Continue reading

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Great New Rain/Gardening Boot Released! NEW “Chef at the Farmer’s Market” Boot!

                      M. Nicole van Dam’s artwork “Chef at the Farmer’s Market” joins Nicole’s other licensed images and has been transformed into a lovely new rain and gardening boot! The colors … Continue reading

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Vegetable Garden Painting “Nature’s Kitchen”

My vegetable garden painting is done – I’ve named it “Nature’s Kitchen” in homage to my husband’s quip that when we harvest veggies for dinner we are going “grocery chopping.” It’s very similar to my garden – except maybe a … Continue reading

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