Serena Nickson
During our last visit to New York, we were lucky enough to meet Serena. We wanted to capture our pieces in the city that never sleeps, and Serena, a friend of a friend, generously offered to model with our jewelry. As is often the case in a photoshoot, spending the day with new people is a mix of the professional and the unpredictable. The question is always whether the encounter will be just a moment or if it will turn into something more. With Serena, it was an instant match. Between shots, the conversation flowed naturally, and to my surprise, I discovered her incredible artwork, which I immediately connected with. Today, Serena invites us into her artistic universe, sharing a piece of her creative world from her studio, a space where stories come to life through every stroke and detail. And I only want to share it with you. Thank you, Serena, for opening the doors to your universe and heart.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became an artist?
S: I’m a New York-born and based figurative artist. I was fortunate to grow up immersed in art—my dad, a painter, and my mom, a curator. I was surrounded by creativity in a city full of liveliness. As an only child, I spent a lot of my childhood drawing for entertainment, which helped me expand my imagination. I became obsessed with drawing people, giving them specific outfits, hairstyles, and different backstories, which is quite similar to what excites me about my practice today.
What do you find most fulfilling about your art practice?
S: What I find most exciting is the narrative aspect of painting. While replicating someone’s likeness is enjoyable, it’s the storytelling that truly inspires me. Small details, like pearls falling off a string, feathers sticking to hair, or a book annotated with lip liner, really bring the story to life for me. Most of my work captures “in-between” moments, and I focus on depicting the transition from girl to woman—juxtaposing elements like playful with elegant, silly with serious, and undone with buttoned-up.
How do past eras influence your work?
S: I’m a very nostalgic person, especially when it comes to the art and fashion of past eras. I love incorporating vintage pieces from the ‘60s and ‘70s for my models or using antiques to give my work a timeless ambiance. It’s about blending the past with the present and capturing something that feels eternal.
When did you realize that painting would be your career?
S: I always dreamed of being a painter, but it wasn’t until the last few years that it started to manifest. During lockdown, I bought a bunch of canvases and decided to test if I was truly cut out for it. I had once asked my dad how he knew he wanted to pursue painting full-time, and he said something like, “because I couldn’t not.” For months, I worked other jobs while familiarizing myself with the practice, hoping to feel that same passionate need for painting. Eventually, it became a routine to wake up and go straight to my canvas. Five years later, I can’t go more than a day without painting—it’s become a part of me.
¿Qué es lo que más valoras de tu carrera?
Lo que más valoro es la paciencia que me ha enseñado. Vivimos en un mundo digital donde estamos acostumbrados a la inmediatez y el exceso de consumo. La pintura te obliga a desacelerar. Pasas horas, incluso días, enfocado en la misma imagen, analizando cada tono, cada textura, cada detalle. Me ha ayudado a ser una mejor observadora y a absorber mejor el mundo que me rodea.
¿Qué es lo que más te da alegría en tu trabajo?
La rara alegría de traer algo tangible al mundo que viene de mi mente y mis manos es increíblemente gratificante. Es algo que podría perdurar para siempre, donde sea que vaya. Por eso, ver obras de arte históricas en persona es tan conmovedor: puedes sentir la presencia del artista en cada trazo, como si su mano hubiera dejado una marca eterna en el tiempo. Es por eso que valoro tanto mis joyas Mosquito (mis favoritas son el collar Paloma y el Meron). En cada pieza, veo la cuidadosa artesanía detrás de cada piedra meticulosamente enlazada y siento la textura y el peso de los materiales que llevan sus propios orígenes e historia. Gracias Serena, por abrirnos las puertas de tu universo y corazón.
During our last visit to New York, we were lucky enough to meet Serena. We wanted to capture our pieces in the city that never sleeps, and Serena, a friend of a friend, generously offered to model with our jewelry. As is often the case in a photoshoot, spending the day with new people is a mix of the professional and the unpredictable. The question is always whether the encounter will be just a moment or if it will turn into something more. With Serena, it was an instant match. Between shots, the conversation flowed naturally, and to my surprise, I discovered her incredible artwork, which I immediately connected with. Today, Serena invites us into her artistic universe, sharing a piece of her creative world from her studio, a space where stories come to life through every stroke and detail. And I only want to share it with you. Thank you, Serena, for opening the doors to your universe and heart.
A bit more about Serena,
One restaurant: Cervo’s — particulary for their prawns.
One book: Franny & Zooey
One city: Nueva York always.
One dish: Branzino with roasted tomatoes, olives, and a great peppery olive oil.
One artist: Pierre Bonnard
One film: Night on Earth (1991)
One song: The Lady Don’t Mind by Talking Heads
One flower: Poppy
One color: Burnt sienna
One smell: Rosemary
A mosquito jewel: Paloma necklace
