REDLANDS, Calif. – R. Mike Nichols paints in both acrylic and watercolor
in what he describes as an eclectic and surrealistic style. nichols will
be one of five artists featured during the annual “Evening with
the Artists” hosted by the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation
on Friday, April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Nichols, who paints exclusively from photographs, loves painting images
with strong light and shadow. Favorite subjects include his dogs, floating
men and koi fish. His quirky approach to photographed subjects allows
him to paint them as a story, expanding on deeper meanings and blurring
the line between abstraction and photo-realism. Although he is inspired
by impressionist painters such as Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, Nichols
paints with a flare representative of expressionism.
“I would describe my style as representational with a nod towards
the surreal,” says Nichols. “I paint what speaks to me.”
A graduate of Long Beach State, with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration
and a Master of Art degree, nichols has spent the last 40 years working
in watercolor and the last 10 in acrylics. A majority of his career was
spent illustrating for commercial card companies and magazines, until
he transitioned to life as a full-time artist in 2008.
Nichols is currently a member of the National Watercolor Society, American
Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and Riverside
Art Museum. He is an Artist Member of the California Art Club, a Signature
Member of the San Diego Watercolor Society, and a Juried Member of Watercolor
West. Additionally, nichols has had his work published in a variety of
art-related books and has had his works displayed in a number of exhibitions
around the world.
“I always challenge my level of creativity and technical ability,”
he explains. “My goal is to satisfy myself artistically.”
Nichols joins local artists Bill Hudson, Charlie Ciali, Diana McLaughlin,
and Lisa McDill at the annual “Evening with the Artists” event.
Nichols’ artwork will be available for purchase at the Stan and
Ellen Weisser Education Pavilion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday,
April 24. Proceeds will benefit the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s
art fund. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the evening’s
elegant event. Tickets are $20.
The Foundation’s art program began in 1978 and today, the hospital
exhibits a collection of more than 800 works of original art and historic
photographs in the Redlands Community Hospital Art collection.
For more information on the “Evening with the Artists” event
or to RSVP, please call (909) 335-5500. To see a sample of Nichol’s
artwork, please visit
www.mnico.weebly.com.
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Redlands Community Hospital Foundation supports Redlands Community Hospital,
which is an independent not-for-profit, stand-alone hospital.