Biography

Nikki Nienhuis was born and raised on the front range of Colorado, where she spent her childhood exploring the surrounding woods, creeks and mesas. After college, she enjoyed 20+ years working as a Dietitian and spent over 10 of those studying at the Art Students’ League of Denver in her free time. In January of 2018, Nikki quit her corporate job to focus on her art practice.  She regularly exhibits her work across Colorado.  She currently sits as Chair of Foothills Art Center’s Open Studio Group. She was awarded Best Use of Medium at the Golden Arts Week Paint Out in 2018, and more recently, she was the recipient of the Dr Ph. Martin Award at Golden Arts Week Plein Air Event, 2019. Her work is included in the publication “Demystifying the Artist: 27 Artists Discuss What it Really Means to Be An Artist” (Trier, Elinor, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 1st edition 2018, p78-82), and she has been written about in Voyage Denver, the Golden Transcript, Summit Daily News and has been interviewed on Fox31 Denver.

Nikki recently had her first solo show, selling much of the work even during the pandemic.  Now her focus is on finishing paintings for another solo exhibition at the Golden History Museum scheduled for late 2020, a show that will explore different expressions of nature.

Nikki's work is found in corporate and private collections in the US, and she is represented by Portfolio Gallery, Breckenridge, CO. Nikki lives and works in Golden, CO.