Born in Southeast Minnesota, Christie Nicklay is a realism and sometimes painterly artist who works primarily in colored pencil, graphite pencil and watercolor, but also dabbles in acrylics and pastels.

Her artistic journey began as a child when she would draw anything and everything on anything and everything she could find. She drew constantly. There was a time when you could even find her artwork on the walls of her father’s dairy barn. Early on, teachers recognized and encouraged her artistic abilities. Eventually, she became the primary artist for her high school newspaper, clubs and organizations. As she grew, she had dreams of being a doctor, but her father encouraged her to attend art school, which she did and acquired her Commercial Art and Fine Art degrees.

After over 35 years in the graphic arts and marketing field, she realized she had merely put her real creative dreams on hold. Working in marketing was her profession, but her childhood love for painting and drawing continued to whisper in her ear. Her creativity is an ebb and flow process which frees her up from her own inner critic and allows her to develop her creativity in all ways. When she’s not painting, she’s taking pictures, reading, gardening, or working on other creative projects. Going with her “ebb and flow” allows her to be creative in some way, every day.

Now, with a studio at home, she dedicates time to drawing and painting a variety of subjects. Her diverse subject matter is inspired largely by the life around her. Christie’s art captures the essence of her subjects and conveys an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.