by Jo Barnes | photos by Amanda Cribdon Photography –
Perspective. It can be one’s opinion based on experience. It can be one’s approach on life. It could be finding depth and range in what you draw. The artist, Nikki Drummond, has pursued perspective in all these ways.
Living in different places in the world, an abundance of creativity, and learning new skills including developing her drawing ability have all added to Nikki’s mastery of perspective. “I have a craving to create things,” shares Nikki. “I really enjoy painting, but I had trouble drawing perspective. I took a course. It was difficult, but I kept on at it.”
Nikki has enjoyed many artistic pursuits including quilting, embroidery and making greeting cards and jewelry. Being creative is integral to her identity. “I have always liked creating my own thing,” she says. “When the preteen Barbie doll came out, I decided I’d make doll furniture. I made a little closet out of wood.”
Recently, she added painting to her list of artistic activities. “When Covid first started, I picked up a brush and started to do painting,” she says.
Like any new artistic endeavor, there have been learning curves. For Nikki, this is ideal. “I create for the love of it,” she comments. “I am a perpetual learner and take courses in different media. Now with the internet, the university comes to you.”
This passion for art originated in childhood, when Nikki was exposed to the wonders of art all around her. She was born in Paris and subsequently moved to the small town of Maisons-Lafitte when she was a teenager.
“I was born and raised in a country where art is everywhere,” she says. “There are museums and galleries all over the place.”
In her lifetime, Nikki has called many places her home. “I have travelled since I was a child, and my parents were great travellers,” says Nikki. “The opportunity to learn a different culture has always been part of my life.”
After a year of pharmacy studies at university, Nikki decided to change direction and applied to the Amity Institute. This organization offered the opportunity to travel to other countries and learn their cultures. After a year’s travel in the United States and teaching French at a high school in California, she took advantage of another teaching opportunity in Canada.
“There was a position at a school in Cranbrook, B.C.,” shares Nikki. “What a change! Life went from 110° to freezing temperatures!”
The move not only brought new professional experiences in teaching, it also impacted her personal life as well. While there, she met David Drummond, with whom she has now been married to for over 50 years.
In 2016, she began making jewelry and soon took up kumihimo: the traditional Japanese art form of making braids and cords.
“I am fond of Japanese art,” she remarks. “Kumihimo is used for the cord for Samurai and around the obi. It is fascinating!”
Always seeking to enhance her skills and her craft, she added beadwork to these creations. “I started making beaded kumihimo, and people love it,” says Nikki. “It is jewelry that is neither grand nor showy. It is just classy.”
Nikki also creates jewelry using a metal clay technique. She sculpts the clay into items which are baked in a 1400° kiln and then finalized through a polishing process.
Regardless of the art medium she’s doing, it is important to Nikki that she finds her own unique self-expression and style. “I watch others’ techniques,” remarks Nikki. “But I am always developing my own style.”
She looks forward to the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts (SPAC) show in April at the Mary Winspear Centre. “It’s the first in-person show in a while,” says Nikki. “I will have some of my work on display.”
Nikki thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of art with other people. She has been a regular workshop teacher for SPAC.
“Every February, we offer mini workshops which are open to all members,” says Wendy Woollard, coordinator of the annual SPAC show. “Nikki has taught jewelry. Her classes are always full.”
Nikki’s creative zeal and energy can be infectious. “Anything Nikki does, she does with great enthusiasm,” says Wendy, adding with a smile, “She has two speeds: 1,000 mph and zero!”
For Nikki, encouraging others to explore and find their own artistic pursuit is all a part of her creative joy. “We are all talented; just try! You’ll find something that will appeal to you,” she remarks, adding: “The fact that you’ve never done it, well, don’t let that stop you. Find a course and learn the basics.”
Art has always taken Nikki down many paths of learning, surprising her along the way and giving her the opportunity to make mistakes and bring her own unique perspective. As Nikki knows, it’s all about perspective.
