Nicole Baxter

Available at the Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary

Nicole Baxter is a Jewellery Artist based in Edmonton, Alberta. She studied under Charles Lewton-Brain, Dee Fontans and Sarabeth Carnet at The Alberta College of Art (now knows as The Alberta University for The Arts). After working in The Jewellery trade for 4 years as a Designer and Master Mold Maker, Nicole opened her own Studio - Nabstudios, where she has specialized in one of a kind and limited edition Jewellery Art, Objects and Spectacles for the past 25 years. Nicole’s work is about simple lines, shapes, textures, colours and a pursuit of the Technical Mastery of Her Craft. Form and function are carefully balanced although preference is often given to Form - She is an Artist First.

Artist Statement
What is the difference between Jewellery and Jewellery Art? Jewellery commerce dictates that an object is precious because of the materials used. Jewellery Art rises above the materials: An object is precious, has value because the Artist makes it so. This is the constant struggle of the Jewellery Artist. Clean clear conscious decisions in Design. Taking raw nature - Metal and Stone - bending them into concept. Making Art through beauty, line, texture, reflection, and (yes) the technical application of The Craft.

Every day when I sit at the bench I consider my choices. As with all Artists the challenge is to make thought into the physical. How? How to express the Human and Natural Worlds through an object which adorns the Body?

As a technician of my Art I am drawn to the mastery of The Craft and the beauty of its application. As an Artist, I seek reflection through observation. I walk in life seeing the small bits and pieces of this grand immense Planet. The details that make up the whole - a colour - a movement - a smell or sound. I capture them and send them back out - made by me for the world to see.
I choose Jewellery as my Vehicle because it goes with you on your body, or comes to you on some others body. Jewellery Art makes the world a changing shifting Gallery for all to see.

ACC Exhibitions: Well In Hand (2014), Thinking In Threes (2015), Masterworks (2015)