Nita Hicks
b. 1945, Texas ∙ CE artist since 1996
Focus is the foundation of Texas-born Nita Hicks’ art-making process. Nita has spent her days working quietly and diligently, creating exacting portraits, primarily of iconic women. Hicks also enjoys drawing from National Geographic and photography of Indigenous peoples around the world, capturing the textures and layers of traditional fashions.
The flat planes of color she carefully fills the picture plane with simultaneously convey a sense of her subjects’ personalities and a quality of stillness that gives the eye a place of solace in the barrage of visual stimulus that dominates the contemporary culture. Hicks’ technique of separating these color fields with strong black lines highlight the geometric forms that make up her compositions, further developing their simplicity.
In the studio, Hicks is never far from her counterpart and long-time “honey,” fellow artist Loren King. They spend their extra time walking together, drinking coffee and tea at the bench across the street. Lately, they have been chatting on the phone to stay connected.
In 2008, Hicks’ artwork was chosen by Recchiuti Confections to embellish their signature chocolates.
Select Exhibitions & Projects
2019
See Me with My Own Eyes, LinkedIn InCommon Space, San Francisco, CA
The Grand Finale, Spark Arts, San Francisco, CA
Neighbors: Art from Next Door, Black & Blue Tattoo, San Francisco, CA
2017
Secret City Exhibition, AIASF and Center for Architecture + Design Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015
Tree of Life, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2014
INK, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2012
Fabulous, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2007
Naked, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2006
Notables, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2005
Revenge of Monster, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Wear to Go, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Aliens: the Green Ones, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2004
Spirits and Saints, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Functionable, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Critters, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2003
Project Home, mural, San Francisco, CA
2002
Women's Work, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA