Wildlife Artist

Self taught Wildlife Watercolor & Pet Portraiture Artist. I set off on my artistic journey a little later in life. During covid lockdown I really connected to art as a way to disconnect from the weight of the world. It was during those unsure times I found a spark ignited in expressing myself through painting. I was taken to a creative space and allowed to escape without thought and that is very freeing. I found art extremely therapeutic. And after a while, I found myself getting paid here and there for some of my work. So here I am years later to building a website, a small print on demand Etsy shop, and hoping to branch out in a professional art and design career.

From a very young age I have always deeply loved and appreciated wildlife and the outdoors. I love capturing nature’s beauty through painting a wide variety of animals, plants, and landscapes. Looking into an animals eyes, making that connection, and then capturing that expression with vivid detail in a painting is very meaningful to me. I especially love it when golden hour is reflected in the subjects I paint. I would say my most favorite subjects to paint are owls, butterflies, and wild cats. A scene with vibrant bold colors and sharp contrasts of dark and lights really hits on an emotional level for me. Watercolor is my media of choice, the way the paint moves and dances on the paper is pure magic. However, I do have experience in many other media’s including acrylics, colored pencils, chalks, pastels, alcohol inks, charcoal, liquid art (pouring), rock art, & gouache.

I am an Oregon, USA native, and retired Veterinary Assistant. Due to a diagnosis of Sjogren’s Syndrome and Systemic Lupus in my early 30’s, I was forced to slow down in life due to how those auto-immune issues affected my body. Early on it was a difficult adjustment, because I loved my work with animals. For years I found this adjustment very difficult. But I have become content with admiring the smaller things. And I feel it has led me to being the artist that I am today, it has allowed me to appreciate other aspects of my life on a deeper level. I see beauty in the smallest of things. In 2007 I found an abandoned kitten whom I named Oscar, pictured above, In a late January snow storm. He quickly became attached to me every waking minute during all of my health battles. I never knew an animal and human could have a bond like that until this little guy. I am honored to have known a love like that. He passed in January of 2023, and my life turned upside down with a grief I was not prepared for. Life changed for me and I went through some very hard times following this loss. At the end of 2025, I am realizing, maybe life will never be the same without him, and that is ok, some pets are special like that. A part of me went when he did. So for anyone who has lost a special pet like this your not alone. I think going through this part of my life allows me to care so deeply for the pets that I paint for clients. It really matters that your beloved companion is portrayed exactly as you remember them. They were never “just a pet”. They were family.

When I am not in my studio, goofing off outside, photographing every single flower, bumble bee, mushroom, butterfly, for future paintings, I like to spend time with my family, friends, and my cats. As well as nature walks, biking, swimming, drinking coffee, volunteering at church, listening to music all day, everyday, reading sci fi and fantasy, volunteering in animal rescue, TNR of feral cat colonies, drinking coffee (wait did I say that already?!), playing video games, cooking, baking, birding, exercising, gardening, micro learning, & drinking coffee, 😆 I really just enjoy being outside spending time in nature. It is where I feel most at peace. As an introvert and HSP I really need that time to recharge. And sometimes completely unplug. I am also so very grateful for the support of my Dad & Mom throughout this journey. Life is not always easy, but when we listen to understand, connect with one another on a deeper level, and empathize with those around us, we can make the world a safer and kinder place for those struggling.

I really look forward to working with you and meeting your individual needs. I hope you have a wonderful day.

All the Best,

Nicole Peterson dba Nicole Clevinger Art