Nikol Imani Dowls
photographer / multidisciplinary artist
BIOGRAPHY
Nikol Dowls is also referred to as Imani Nikol ( Imani meaning faith in Swahili). Nikol's love for the arts started at the age of 4 when she completed reading the Giving Tree on her own. She quickly fell in love with the combination of writing and illustration. She currently combines her love of photography, body movement, and writing to express the world around her. Ni'Kol is a self-taught artist who uses internships, networking, volunteering, and online resources to advance her craft. Ni'kol hopes to express herself, facilitate groups & workshops, change her community, to elevate her activism, and to mentor and teach others.
Artist Statement
Each series I create has a different amount of collaboration or input from others. America's Stepchild was the first series that I did not allow others feedback in the process. I had a vision in my head of the first piece created with paint and asked an artist friend of mine if he was willing to help me create and not talk or give feedback and asked the first model the same, they happily agreed. That night I wrote from what started as a place of anger that I realized was hurt and that hurt came from neglect and confusion. I usually create with the TV, or radio, or YouTube poetry which all go into my work. I dreamed up a 11 scene series to describe what brought me to the emotions I was feeling. The symbolism i use in this series was meant to show a confliction of feelings. As a black woman in America who grew up in what was black middle class, who has a passion and thirst to experience all things I have found I was taught to blend easily into all situations and surroundings as an artist for the last year I have been living my life not blending and becoming unapologetic about my likes, quirks, upbringing, and my expression.
QUALIfiCATIONS
portraiture photography
visual arts /photo painting
studio lighting techniques
commercial photography
adobe light room & photoshop applications
healing arts instruction
school & community based instruction with youth
performance
poetry
Contact
Email: nikol.empire@gmail.com
portfolio samples
Each series I create has a different amount of collaboration or input from others. America's Stepchild was the first series that I did not allow others feedback in the process. I had a vision in my head of the first piece created with paint and asked an artist friend of mine if he was willing to help me create and not talk or give feedback and asked the first model the same, they happily agreed. That night I wrote from what started as a place of anger that I realized was hurt and that hurt came from neglect and confusion. I usually create with the TV, or radio, or YouTube poetry which all go into my work. I dreamed up a 11 scene series to describe what brought me to the emotions I was feeling. The symbolism i use in this series was meant to show a confliction of feelings. As a black woman in America who grew up in what was black middle class, who has a passion and thirst to experience all things I have found I was taught to blend easily into all situations and surroundings as an artist for the last year I have been living my life not blending and becoming unapologetic about my likes, quirks, upbringing, and my expression.
