Artist
A personal highlight of Nicole's spaceflight experience was painting during her free time. She was the first person to paint with watercolors in space.
Through her art, Nicole uniquely shares the breathtaking beauty she was blessed to witness through the windows of her spacecraft, and she continues to showcase the remarkable work happening in space that benefits us all right here on Earth. By blending her spaceflight experience with her artwork, she inspires curiosity and connection through the powerful union of Art and Science.
Her paintings reflect her personal impressions of the views of Earth from space and of the spacecraft she lived and worked on during her missions. Today, she creates with acrylics, oils, and mixed media to bring those experiences to life.
First astronaut to paint a watercolor in space (ISS Expedition 21 / Oct 2009)
Gallery
Nicole brought a small watercolor kit with her to the ISS and the paintbrush of friend and wonderful artist Ron Woods. She painted "The Wave" based on a picture of Isla Los Roques, Venezuela that she took through the window of the ISS Russian Service Module. "The Wave" continues to inspire Nicole's artwork.
Earth Observation Collection
The Wave is inspired by a photo Nicole took from the ISS of Isla Los Roques, Venezuela. Seeing this place on Earth looked to her like someone had reached down with a big paintbrush and painted a wave on the ocean. Nicole painted her interpretation of this place on Earth while she was still in space, which inspired her to share her spaceflight experience through art. Earth Observation Collection Original watercolor on paper (10/2009) On display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.
Like her painting in space, this piece is inspired by a photo of Isla Los Roques, Venezuela taken by Nicole from ISS This version of 'The Wave' was the 1st major piece Nicole completed after returning from space; & the picture of Isla Los Roques continues to inspire much of Nicole's artwork Earth Observation Collection Mixed media embellishment with oil paint, sea glass, glass beads & sand on satin digital c-print image on aluminum (20"x24", framed) (June 2015)
Inspired by a heart-shaped postcard of Earth given to Nicole by close friends before her 2nd spaceflight. She photographed the card in front of the ISS Cupola window. It reminds her of the appreciation we Earthlings should all have for our home planet Earth. Earth Observation Collection Mixed media embellishment with glass beads on high gloss photo paper (2"x3", framed) (June 2015) (sold) [Nicole may create additional originals as part of a limited series of 20]
The Wave is inspired by a photo Nicole took from the ISS of Isla Los Roques, Venezuela. Seeing this place on Earth looked to her like someone had reached down with a big paintbrush and painted a wave on the ocean. Nicole painted her interpretation of this place on Earth while she was still in space, which inspired her to share her spaceflight experience through art. Earth Observation Collection Original watercolor on paper (10/2009) On display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.
Spacecraft Collection
Created in honor of the anniversary of the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission, this painting is inspired by the artist’s personal experience of launch and by a photograph captured by a Kennedy Space Center photographer. The work marks Nicole’s first spaceflight, reflecting the emotion, anticipation, and significance of that personally historic moment. Spacecraft Collection Original oil painting on canvas panel (11"x14", framed) (Aug 2015) (sold)
Inspired by a photo taken by Nicole of ISS from the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery during undock and fly around. STS133 was the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Spacecraft Collection Original oil painting on canvas panel (11"x14", framed) (Oct 2015) (sold)
Silhouette of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS129, against the backdrop of an orbital sunset. Inspired by a photo taken by Nicole's ISS crewmate Jeff Williams during the shuttle's departure on Nicole's flight home after 3 months living & working on the ISS. Spacecraft Collection Original oil painting on canvas (16x20, framed) (January 2017) (sold)
Created in honor of the anniversary of the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission, this painting is inspired by the artist’s personal experience of launch and by a photograph captured by a Kennedy Space Center photographer. The work marks Nicole’s first spaceflight, reflecting the emotion, anticipation, and significance of that personally historic moment. Spacecraft Collection Original oil painting on canvas panel (11"x14", framed) (Aug 2015) (sold)
Inner Space Collection
Inspired by a photo Nicole took during an 18-day mission on the Aquarius undersea habitat. These undersea missions are a wonderful analog to spaceflight. At 60' below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Key Largo, FL, the Aquarius habitat is located in a marine preserve. The underside of Aquarius is like a beautiful garden of coral & sealife. Inner Space Collection Original oil painting on high gloss photo paper with grayscale image base (4 ”x6” framed) (Oct 2016)
Inspired by a photo Nicole took during the NEEMO9 mission on the undersea habitat, Aquarius. As viewed through one of the main portholes, these two beautiful Goliath grouper visited the habitat several times each day. We named them Stella & Lucy, after Nicole's two German Shepherd dogs. Inner Space Collection Original oil painting on high gloss photo paper with grayscale image base (4”x6” framed) (Oct 2016)
Inspired by a photo Nicole took during an 18-day mission on the Aquarius undersea habitat. These undersea missions are a wonderful analog to spaceflight. At 60' below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Key Largo, FL, the Aquarius habitat is located in a marine preserve. The underside of Aquarius is like a beautiful garden of coral & sealife. Inner Space Collection Original oil painting on high gloss photo paper with grayscale image base (4”x6” framed) (Oct 2016)
eARTh ~ jewelry from space
This original piece of jewelry is inspired by a photo that Nicole took during her stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The view of Earth from space is stunning. To Nicole, the most beautiful place on our planet is the wonderful, glowing, and iridescent mix of blue, turquoise and white of the Caribbean, and she feels blessed to have experienced it from the awe-inspiring vantage point of space. Each pendant is an original painting set into the silver piece.
This original piece of jewelry is inspired by a photo that Nicole took during her stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is traveling around the Earth at 17500 mph or 5 miles per second, which means the crew is blessed every day with 16 of these awesome orbital sunrises. Each pendant is an original painting set into the silver piece.
A short story of an Artist, Astronaut, & Inspiration
Shortly after retiring from NASA, I had the honor to meet one of my heroes of Spaceflight and Art ~ Alan Bean ~ Artist, Astronaut, Moonwalker
Thanks to my friend and fellow astronaut Anna Fisher for the introduction, we were welcomed into Alan's studio, where his quiet enthusiasm for painting and his humble nature left a lasting impression. He generously shared his time, answered my many questions, and spoke openly about his journey from astronaut to artist. I was deeply inspired by Alan, grateful for his friendship, and moved by his work. He is greatly missed.
Through his paintings, Alan shared his spaceflight experiences in a way that feels like a gift - thoughtful, personal, fantastic, and enduring. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and explore his artwork and legacy here.
Nicole's first solo exhibit ~
"Around the World in 90 Minutes: An Astronaut's Perspective" at the Sayle Gallery, Isle of Man, UK (2016)
Nicole is a proud member of the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA)
