I create to translate what can’t be said—color, memory, and energy into form. It’s how I see, heal, and leave something that outlives me
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I love creating bold, expressive abstract portraits that blend vivid, high-saturation color with thick, glossy, raised outlines. The work channels ancestral energy, symbolism, and emotion—often playful yet profound—using fluid shapes, surreal elements, and a signature “wet” enamel finish that brings each piece to life with texture and depth.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in ancestry, hidden histories, and the emotional energy carried through generations. Influences include jazz, masks, vivid color, and artists like Pablo Picasso and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Everyday moments, personal transformation, and intuitive “channeling” also shape my work, turning memory and feeling into bold, symbolic expression.
What would you do with $25,000?$25,000 would fund a bold, immersive art push—large-scale materials, studio upgrades, and a standout exhibition blending painting, projection, and live creation. Funds would also support my travel for shows, high-quality documentation, and strategic promotion to expand reach, deepen storytelling, and elevate my art into new markets.
Vote for Nicole Persley to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
