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<channel><title><![CDATA[Nichola Hope - Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[Blog]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 24 Aug 2025 12:31:19 +0100</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[The Cunning Little Vixen]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/the-cunning-little-vixen]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/the-cunning-little-vixen#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2025 08:17:31 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/the-cunning-little-vixen</guid><description><![CDATA[       In September 2019, I drew WNO rehearsals and performances of Jan&aacute;&#269;ek's the Cunning Little Vixen. I've always been drawn to&nbsp;fairy-tale and the parallels of animal and human worlds. I enjoyed the blurring of their behaviours in this production.&nbsp;   (function(jQuery) {function init() { window.wSlideshow && window.wSlideshow.render({elementID:"143308194776658438",nav:"thumbnails",navLocation:"bottom",captionLocation:"bottom",transition:"fade",autoplay:"0",speed:"5",aspect [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/vixen2-2-1024x961_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <h2 class="wsite-content-title">In September 2019, I drew WNO rehearsals and performances of Jan&aacute;&#269;ek's the Cunning Little Vixen. I've always been drawn to&nbsp;fairy-tale and the parallels of animal and human worlds. I enjoyed the blurring of their behaviours in this production.&nbsp;</h2>  <div><div style="height:20px;overflow:hidden"></div> <div id='143308194776658438-slideshow'></div> <div style="height:20px;overflow:hidden"></div></div>  <div class="paragraph">When drawing live performance I use materials that allow fluidity and pure brilliant colour.&nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wales Contemporary 2022]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wales-contemporary-2022]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wales-contemporary-2022#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wales-contemporary-2022</guid><description><![CDATA[       My artwork Taith (Journey) was selected for Wales Contemporary 2022. 144 artworks were selected out of 2000 entries from 42 countries around the world.&#8203;The 2022 shortlist was selected by a panel comprising of Rebecca Salter RA, President of the Royal Academy; Morfudd Bevan, curator of the National Collection, The National Library of Wales and Jill Piercy, curator and writer. [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/img-6846-1-1024x722_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">My artwork Taith (Journey) was selected for Wales Contemporary 2022. 144 artworks were selected out of 2000 entries from 42 countries around the world.<br />&#8203;<br />The 2022 shortlist was selected by a panel comprising of Rebecca Salter RA, President of the Royal Academy; Morfudd Bevan, curator of the National Collection, The National Library of Wales and Jill Piercy, curator and writer.</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wales Contemporary 2020]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wales-contemporary-2020]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wales-contemporary-2020#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2020 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wales-contemporary-2020</guid><description><![CDATA[       The Cunning Little Vixen watercolour has been selected for Wales Contemporary 2020. The painting depicts a character inspired by a WNO performance. I created a series of drawings during rehearsals and performance in my role of Visiting Artist at Welsh National Opera (WNO).&nbsp;The Wales Contemporary/ Cymru Gyfoes exhibition will open at the Waterfront Gallery on Friday 6th November and close on Thursday 26th November 2020. It will then tour to Gallery OXO , London from Thursday 25th Febr [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/vixen1_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">The Cunning Little Vixen watercolour has been selected for Wales Contemporary 2020. The painting depicts a character inspired by a WNO performance. I created a series of drawings during rehearsals and performance in my role of Visiting Artist at Welsh National Opera (WNO).&nbsp;<br /><br />The Wales Contemporary/ Cymru Gyfoes exhibition will open at the Waterfront Gallery on Friday 6th November and close on Thursday 26th November 2020. It will then tour to Gallery OXO , London from Thursday 25th February to Sunday 7th March 2021. The exhibition will be opened by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism for the Welsh Government,&nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wildlife Artist of the Year 2020]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wildlife-artist-of-the-year-2020]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wildlife-artist-of-the-year-2020#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2020 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wildlife-artist-of-the-year-2020</guid><description><![CDATA[       My watercolour Tansy Beetle has been shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2020. My work is one of 159 artworks selected from an incredible 1,200 entries from across the world. All the work is for sale and 50% of the proceeds are donated to help protect precious wildlife. The online exhibition launches from today 21 May. Tansy Beetle has been selected under Facing Extinction category. This category invites artist to celebrate these vulnerable species, capturing their behaviour and i [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/wildlifarttany-1024x827-1_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">My watercolour Tansy Beetle has been shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2020. My work is one of 159 artworks selected from an incredible 1,200 entries from across the world. All the work is for sale and 50% of the proceeds are donated to help protect precious wildlife. The online exhibition launches from today 21 May. Tansy Beetle has been selected under Facing Extinction category. This category invites artist to celebrate these vulnerable species, capturing their behaviour and importance in striking imagery. They may be gone tomorrow if we don't act today.</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Workers Gallery]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/workers-gallery]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/workers-gallery#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2020 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/workers-gallery</guid><description><![CDATA[       My ink and wash artworks based on London Rats are on display at the Drawn to Life exxhibition, Workers Gallery, Porth aligning with the Big Draw Festival 2019.         A personal highlight was Chris William's Welsh Stick Chair. These chairs are unique to Wales, a tradition dating back to the 13th Century using wood found growing in the hedgerows and woodlands, making each chair individual.&nbsp;        [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/nicholahope2londonrats-1-1024x717_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">My ink and wash artworks based on London Rats are on display at the Drawn to Life exxhibition, Workers Gallery, Porth aligning with the Big Draw Festival 2019.</div>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/workers-1-1_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">A personal highlight was Chris William's Welsh Stick Chair. These chairs are unique to Wales, a tradition dating back to the 13th Century using wood found growing in the hedgerows and woodlands, making each chair individual.&nbsp;</div>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/llygodenmawr-nicholahope-jpg-1024x1024_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wildlife Artist of the Year 2019]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wildlife-artist-of-the-year-2019]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wildlife-artist-of-the-year-2019#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2019 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/wildlife-artist-of-the-year-2019</guid><description><![CDATA[       "Hedgehog" has been selected for David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year (DSWF), a prestigious annual wildlife art competition that attracts artists from across the world.&nbsp;  The exhibition is held in London and raises vital awareness and funds for the endangered wildlife that DSWF fights to protect. [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/nicholahope-urbanwildlife-hedgehog-1024x758_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">"Hedgehog" has been selected for David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year (DSWF), a prestigious annual wildlife art competition that attracts artists from across the world.&nbsp;</div>  <div class="paragraph">The exhibition is held in London and raises vital awareness and funds for the endangered wildlife that DSWF fights to protect.</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scale]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/scale]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/scale#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/scale</guid><description><![CDATA[       Curated by Kevin Sinnott and Neil Confrey; Studio 18's new exhibition brings together large and small scale work by some of Wales' most prominent artists, past and present.&nbsp;Artists exhibiting in SCALE Ceri Richards, Peter Prendergast, John Selway, Emrys Williams, Shani Rhys James, Kevin Sinnott, Elfyn Lewis, Brendan Stuart Burns. Dorothy M Williams, Seren Morgan Jones, Meirion Ginsberg, Jan Roberts, Margaret Rose, Leanne Wood AM, Nichola Hope, William Brown, Sally Moore and Vicki Was [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/55764294-10156767619176628-2545463405070778368-n-720x650_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">Curated by Kevin Sinnott and Neil Confrey; Studio 18's new exhibition brings together large and small scale work by some of Wales' most prominent artists, past and present.&nbsp;<br /><br />Artists exhibiting in SCALE Ceri Richards, Peter Prendergast, John Selway, Emrys Williams, Shani Rhys James, Kevin Sinnott, Elfyn Lewis, Brendan Stuart Burns. Dorothy M Williams, Seren Morgan Jones, Meirion Ginsberg, Jan Roberts, Margaret Rose, Leanne Wood AM, Nichola Hope, William Brown, Sally Moore and Vicki Washbourne.<br /></div>  <span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/scale_orig.jpg" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;">A highlight of the exhibition is Liebestod by Kevin Sinnott, the largest movable painting ever made in Wales 500x450cm.</div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/scaleposter_orig.jpg" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;"></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <div class="wsite-map"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width: 100%; height: 250px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;" src="//www.weebly.com/weebly/apps/generateMap.php?map=google&elementid=780702000694844877&ineditor=0&control=3&width=auto&height=250px&overviewmap=0&scalecontrol=0&typecontrol=0&zoom=15&long=-3.583537599999999&lat=51.6099451&domain=www&point=1&align=1&reseller=false"></iframe></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Eighteen - The lost Generation]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/eighteen-the-lost-generation]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/eighteen-the-lost-generation#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2018 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[exhibition]]></category><category><![CDATA[Llantarnam]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wales]]></category><category><![CDATA[war]]></category><category><![CDATA[Welsh art]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/eighteen-the-lost-generation</guid><description><![CDATA[Llantarnam Grange 06.10.2018 - 17.11.2018   .I was commissioned to create a new work in response to the Lost Generation.&nbsp; Exhibition featured works by Nichola Hope. Elin Sian Blake, Abi Charlesworth, Louise Fitzpatrick, Catherine Knight, Rhiannion Lewando, Laura Mabbutt and Georgia Player.         [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wsite-content-title">Llantarnam Grange 06.10.2018 - 17.11.2018</h2>  <span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/fullsizerender5-1024x775_orig.jpg" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;">.<br /><br />I was commissioned to create a new work in response to the Lost Generation.&nbsp; Exhibition featured works by Nichola Hope. Elin Sian Blake, Abi Charlesworth, Louise Fitzpatrick, Catherine Knight, Rhiannion Lewando, Laura Mabbutt and Georgia Player.</div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;margin-right:10px;text-align:left"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/eighteen_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Carmen]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/carmen]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/carmen#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Carmen]]></category><category><![CDATA[Chicago]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lyric Opera]]></category><category><![CDATA[opera]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.nicholahope.com/blog/carmen</guid><description><![CDATA[Lyric Opera - Carmen, Chicago 2017         In early 2017, I observed and draew two performances behind the scenes at Lyric opera, Chicago. These two productions were Eugene Onegin and Carmen.      Carmen was especially unforgettable. The choreography had a striking balance - fluid, grounded in Spanish dance and woven seamlessly with opera. From my vantage point, behind the scenes I watched the story unfold.&nbsp;         One sketch captures the flamenco inspired skirts of the dancers as they swe [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wsite-content-title">Lyric Opera - Carmen, Chicago 2017</h2>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/carmenlyric2017c-1024x728_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">In early 2017, I observed and draew two performances behind the scenes at Lyric opera, Chicago. These two productions were Eugene Onegin and Carmen.</div>  <span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/carmenlyric2017b-1024x739_orig.jpg" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;"></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <div class="paragraph">Carmen was especially unforgettable. The choreography had a striking balance - fluid, grounded in Spanish dance and woven seamlessly with opera. From my vantage point, behind the scenes I watched the story unfold.&nbsp;</div>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.nicholahope.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/104562825/carmenlyric2017-1024x689_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">One sketch captures the flamenco inspired skirts of the dancers as they swept dramatically across the stage - a moment of movement frozen in time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>