Weathering the Storm
What storm are you weathering right now? How fierce is it?Let this be a space of respite; a reminder that joy and gratitude aren't things you wait to feel, but practices you return to, even mid-storm. Something in us breaks, weathers, strips down to what's real. It isn't gentle and it isn't pointless. The storm brings water, and the breaking down brings the dirt that lets something new grow.Explore original artwork, read reflections on the storms of my own life, or join a cozy community of people weathering their own storms.
Click the links below to explore my art, writing, and community.
Portfolio
This portfolio is a window into how I see the world — through light, texture, emotion, and wonder, even in the middle of a storm. Each piece is less about perfection and more about presence: what it feels like to keep showing up while the weather does what it does.These paintings are invitations: to pause, to feel, to find something beautiful in the moment.
About the artist
Nicole Simmons is a self-taught artist based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, whose work explores the tension what it means to be present—the beauty of lived experiences and also the discomfort they sometimes bring. Her paintings move between soft and soothing to bold and expressive, often capturing fleeting emotional states.Since she began painting in 2014, Nicole’s work has evolved into a deeply personal practice of noticing and distilling emotion into color, light, and form. She has been exhibiting since 2021, with participation in shows at the Art Association of Harrisburg and HIVE Artspace, and solo exhibitions at Wheel of Light Studio in 2022 and 2026. Her work was most recently featured in the 10th issue of Circle Magazine in January 2024.Nicole is currently represented by Wheel of Light Studio in Halifax, PA.When she’s not painting, Nicole can be found hiking, meditating, reading fantasy novels, traveling, and spending time with her husband Isaac and their two beloved cats, Sylvester and Tibbers.
Artist's Statement
"My art is a practice in weathering the storm by learning to stay present with what breaks, what strips away, and what's left standing after. Through layered texture and intuitive color, I explore fleeting moments, difficult emotions, and the beauty that's still left standing after the tumult. Each piece is something I chose to notice and honor rather than look away from: a reminder that joy is practiced and that something greener always grows from what the storm leaves behind."
Connect
Whether you have a question, a collaboration idea, or just want to say hi, I’d love to hear from you. Below you’ll find all the ways to stay in touch—email for direct inquiries, Ko-fi to collect my artwork, and social links to follow along.If you’re looking for something more personal, you can connect with me on BlueSky or subscribe to my Substack, where I share reflections on art, presence, and the creative process.
Collecting Artwork
and Supporting the Artist
There are a few ways to support my art and bring a piece of it into your life. Every bit of support—big or small—helps keep this creative life going, and I’m so grateful for all of it.
Collect originals, prints, or downloads through my Ko-fi shop. I also occasionally put up freebies like wallpaper backgrounds, small prints, and other mystery drops for my supporters.
Buy me a cup of coffee (or a tube of paint ;)) on Ko-fi if you aren't ready to collect anything, but still want to support
Subscribe to my Substack (it's free)
Join my Discord community (also free)
Share my work
What's New
2026 has been a year of tumult and loss and, in the middle of it, a lesson that grief and joy can coexist. I've taken up gardening, come off a season of heavy travel, and watched myself shed habits and beliefs I never thought to question. I'm still changing, sometimes spiraling, but I'm learning to trust the process: this stripping away of who I thought I was is making room for something better.I think of it less like a phoenix rising and more like a storm — battering, flooding, uprooting — but leaving the slate wiped clean underneath. Nothing is permanent, my friends, so when this season passes, I'll have so much to grow in the place of what's been lost.Take a look around, connect on the platforms that resonate with you, and as always — thank you for being here.
New Artwork
"Release"
Oil on canvas, 2026
"Flourish"
Acrylic on canvas, 2026
"Poppies"
Oil on canvas, 2026