About

Born in 1974 in Connecticut, USA. Resides and works in Hawaii, USA.

Artist Statement

Nicole Parente-Lopez’s work is an exploration of endurance, transformation, and the quiet narratives embedded in the natural world. Living in Honolulu, she is drawn to the volcanic rock that shapes the Hawaiian Islands—its surfaces weathered, fractured, and enduring. These formations are records of immense geological forces, yet they also invite a quieter, more personal reflection.

Through drawing, Nicole translates the wisdom and tales held within stone into a visual language—one that captures both the permanence of rock and the forces that continue to reshape it. Her process is an act of deep observation, where slow, deliberate mark-making mirrors the land’s own process of formation and erosion. Each drawing is a meditation on presence, inviting viewers to pause, look closer, and engage with the landscapes we often take for granted.

Nicole’s work does not seek to replicate nature but to engage in dialogue with it—to honor the tension between what endures and what evolves. Guided by the volcanic foundation that sustains life in the Pacific, her drawings offer spaces for connection and contemplation, reflecting on the larger forces that shape both land and self.

Through her art, Nicole strives to evoke a sense of timelessness and introspection, encouraging viewers to reflect on the enduring narratives present in nature. Her work often evokes strong emotional responses from those who encounter it—whether through the tactile, layered charcoal marks or the quiet intensity of the volcanic forms she draws. It’s not just about what is seen, but about how the work invites a deeper connection, drawing viewers into an intimate dialogue with the land.

Bio

Nicole Parente-Lopez is a Honolulu-based artist whose large-scale charcoal drawings explore presence, memory, and transformation through a focused study of volcanic forms. Her practice is rooted in deep observation—isolating individual rocks to uncover the quiet narratives embedded in the landscape.

With over 25 years of experience shaping visual narratives as a creative executive and designer, Nicole brings a unique perspective to her art. This foundation has shaped her ability to translate complex stories and concepts into resonant visual languages, a skill she now applies to her drawing practice. Her work reflects a balance of precision and intuition, visual clarity and emotional resonance—qualities that have always defined her approach to both design and art.

Nicole’s art is an ongoing dialogue with the land. She listens to the stories embedded in the landscape, interpreting the wisdom contained in volcanic forms. Each drawing is an act of reflection and deep engagement, capturing not just the physicality of rock, but the conceptual forces—those between what endures and what evolves—that shape our connection with nature.

Nicole works slowly and intentionally in the studio, layering charcoal on paper to create textural landscapes that invite reflection. Through her drawings, she creates spaces for contemplation, encouraging viewers to pause, look closer, and connect with the land’s deeper, often overlooked narratives.

Nicole lives with her family in Honolulu and engages with the land daily—not just for reference, but as a ritual of paying attention to its stories.