Featured Community Artist: Nicole Guse

We are thrilled to feature some absolutely incredible artwork in our lobby area from local artists in the Rochester area. We love to use this space a opportunity to connect our families to some of the amazing talent we have in our community!

Currently, we are honored to display the work of Nicole Guse, a local painter. Here’s a little more about Nicole and her work.

Much of my childhood was spent alongside my mother at our kitchen table, paper and pencils scattered about as we drew whatever came to mind. There were nights that we would stay up until dawn, drinking coffee, painting, and talking. These are some of my most cherished memories. When my children were born, I promised myself that I would give them the same love and attention that was given to me. I want to create similar experiences that they can fondly think back on when they are adults. 

We can’t stay up drinking coffee yet but I can draw them their own coloring pages or designs for whichever character catches their attention at the time. It’s the most amazing feeling watching the excitement in their eyes knowing that those designs were made just for them. It was this energy and excitement that became my driving force to throw myself wholly and completely back into my art.

My work has always been of a whimsical nature. I strive to capture the child-like wonder I see in my children as I paint. When my daughter was born, I fully embraced all things pastel, frilly, and delicate. She is the inspiration behind my most current body of work. My color palette turned from my customary jewel tones to one of blush pink, mint green, and lavender. This new palette felt like a fresh start.  My work is light, colorful, and cheerful just like my two bright-eyed little ones. 

When I create a new piece, I think of my children and the magic that they see in this world. Looking over and seeing the overflowing love and happiness from them reminds me what is truly important in life. It’s led to the creation of more playful pieces. So while I sneak away during their naps to get in a few hours of work, I always remind myself of my two main influences sleeping (mostly) peacefully in the room next to mine.

Nicole Guse is a local illustrator and painter currently living in Irondequoit, New York. She graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2012 with a bachelors degree in fine art. In 2013, she began work as an in house graphic designer. For the next six years, her primary focus was spent on design.

Her son was born in 2017 and daughter in 2019. They were the driving force behind her jump back into the fine arts. She is currently staying home and raising her two rambunctious toddlers. Not believing her life was hectic enough, she also co-owns Guse Creative LLC alongside her husband, Justin Guse, a talented local photographer.

Her recent body of work is made of mostly small-scale gouache paintings. Pieces that were developed little by little during the precious time that she could sneak in while her children napped. Her other artistic ventures include collaborations with local businesses with mural paintings, t-shirt designs, marketing, and logo designs. The most recent endeavor has been illustrating a children’s book with a local author. It will be released mid 2020.