Behind Arthiestic is a young artist from Germany, Nicole Thies, who is currently living in El Paso, Texas — a place she considers home after first arriving in 2006 as an exchange student. During her stay, she lived with her host parents, Lewis, a landscape architect, and Terry, an art teacher renowned for her outstanding mosaic art. This formative experience left a lasting impression on her, and it was this connection to the city that ultimately brought her back.
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In order to make her dream of living in the U.S. a reality, she made a bold decision to leave behind a well-paid position as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant for an ultra-high-net-worth individual in a world-class metropolis like London. Instead, she chose to return to college to pursue a degree in Advertising Graphic & Design — a move that would allow her to further her artistic ambitions and open doors for new opportunities.
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Before coming to El Paso, Nicole spent four years in London, where she not only honed her language skills but also developed a deeper understanding of international art. This time abroad helped broaden her artistic perspective and further solidified her love for contemporary and expressionistic art, particularly abstract forms. Her favorite artist, Gerhard Richter, continues to inspire her own creative journey.
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​Although she had always been a passionate hobbyist, it wasn’t until last year that she seriously considered pursuing art professionally. Her portfolio is a work in progress, and she is steadily refining her skills with the goal of holding her first exhibition. Each piece is a step toward realizing that dream.
Outside of her work, Nici (the name she prefers to be called) is passionate about staying active — whether it’s hitting the gym or going for a trail run. She enjoys playing the guitar, and values the time spent with her boyfriend and his beautiful dog, Kita. Though the distance between Germany and Texas may be vast, she is always connected to her friends and family, and finds comfort in the digital bridge that keeps her close to home.
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Creatively, she loves experimenting with various materials, from acrylic paint and pencils to scrapers and any other tools that inspire her. She often listens to country music while working, a genre that fuels her creative flow. With a deep love for abstract art, she continues to explore new ways to express emotion, movement, and color through her work.