ABOUT THE ARTIST · NICKY KLAASEN
Art, expression & being ourselves.
I’m Nicky Klaasen, the artist behind Studio Soma.
My work explores womanhood, identity and self-expression — the ways we see ourselves, the expectations we carry, and the space we make to simply be who we are.
Where it began.
In Year 12, I received a scholarship to study fashion illustration at Whitehouse Institute of Design. That experience sparked an interest in fashion illustration and illustration more broadly — an influence that continues to shape my work today.
Its expressive lines, gestures and sense of character find their way into my work, alongside a love of painting, photography and design.
From paint to pixels.
I work primarily with digital illustration in Procreate, alongside acrylic painting. I love bringing the two together: making something by hand, digitising it, and exploring what it can become.
Studio Soma is a home for that experimentation — a place where illustration, colour and texture meet.
A curiosity about our inner lives.
Alongside my art practice, I’m studying psychology. That curiosity about how we think, feel and understand ourselves informs the questions I explore through my work.
I’m drawn to creating reflective pieces that celebrate women and invite a moment of recognition. A reminder to make time for ourselves, enjoy who we are, and find room for expression in everyday life.
Through artwork, prints and stories from the studio, I hope to share a little of that space with you.