Excerpt from The Knoxville News-Sentinel Sunday, September 17, 2000
By Michele Gibson, Special Publications staff writer
Marie Nichols' heritage is in her work.
The Blount County artists draws on her experience as a self-proclaimed "mountain girl" in her watercolor paintings of wildlife, flowers, and nature scenes.
"I thing it reflects how much I love the mountain area," she said of her paintings, which have been shown locally at the Townsend Visitor's Center and in this year's Dogwood Arts Show. "I grew up and played in the mountains and loved it- I still do. And, I think you can't paint anything you are not familiar with.
"You paint best what you know best."
A native of Snowbird Mountain town of Robbinsville, N.C., Nichols lived with her husband, Bill, in North and South Carolina before they moved to Blount County four years ago to car for Bill's father, Frank.
It is a blessing in disguise for Marie, who after years of raising four children and working outside the home, was suddenly able to paint full time.
"I had dabbled in it for years but did not really get serious until we moved here," said Nichols, who is self-taught. "I have really been able to focus on the art, and it has worked out well for us personally and professionally."
The couple work together in their home-based Wild Things Studio, where Bill frames Marie's paintings and colored pencil drawings. Nichols said her work has been very well received both locally and abroad.
"I have pieces in Germany, Switzerland, England, and France," she said, noting that her work is sold at Dogwood Mall in Townsend and in the Wilcox Emporium in Boone, N.C. She said her most popular prints are "Lunchline Bluebirds" and her large selection of hummingbird poses.
Nichols said she participates in many shows and travels throughout much of the South. Locally, she will have two showings at the Townsend Visitor's Center in October, and she was also this year's featured TVA&I Fair artist during its run.
She's an active member of both the Tennessee Artist's Association and the Blount County Arts and Crafts Guild, and she holds the position of treasurer in the latter organization.
Community-minded, Nichols contributed pieces to the Hearts & Hands scholarship fund, which holds an annual White Elephant Sale and auction benefiting Townsend's high school graduates and continuing education students.
"I like to give my work where it will do some good for somebody," said Nichols, who has also donated her work to other charities and a local nursing home. "The least you can do is give back if you have a talent and learn to apply it."
She says she spends several hours a day painting, whenever possible. She says she begins with a detailed drawing, then carefully transfers it to paper. By using a technique called "masking" to protect the canvas, Nichols painstakingly places each stroke. She said she likes to make each berry, flower petal or other detail as unique and realistic as the nature which inspired it.
"My inspiration is anything I see," she said. "I observe what goes on around me, whether walking or riding, and I see something beautiful in common, ordinary things."
"There is a picture everywhere, if you want to look for it."
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Explore L. Marie Nichols' collection.