The Southern Edge Magazine - Spring 2023 Issue

Words by Darlene Greene

The Lowcountry of South Carolina is filled with color and charm. In addition to the beautiful old-world architecture, art is everywhere. From the handmade sweetgrass baskets and pottery to original paintings and sculptures. Visit most any city and you will find art galleries ranging from the quaint boutique to the sophisticated enclave.

Charleston, in particular, has long-been an inspiration to artists for its beauty. It is the current home of Nysa Hicks. Nysa has roots in Puerto Rico and moved to the island of Hilton Head with her family at age 5. Throughout her childhood Nysa was always drawing. She loved working with different colors and textures, and often designed clothes.

Nysa is a graduate of Clemson University where she studied French and International Trade, Marketing, Business and Accounting. After graduation, she lived for 10 months in rural France as an English Assistant. Since it was a part-time contract, Nysa had time to refocus on her art. The small rural village where she worked had very limited art supplies. Even when she was able to travel to a larger city that had an art supply store, the travel and supplies were expensive. Ever innovative, Nysa discovered that the residue from a glass of red wine could be used as paint somewhat like painting with watercolors. She painted with wine allowing for different evaporation times to create varying intensity of color.

Shortly after returning to the United States from France, Nysa’s father was working in San Juan. A hotel was renovating a 32,000 square foot rooftop and wanted a mural painted. Nysa’s father called her and asked if she would like to submit a proposal for the commission. Nysa was nervous and asked her Dad if he really thought she could do it. He assured her that he knew she could. She put together her proposal with her design for the rooftop and flew to San Juan to present it to the team. They loved her design and shortly after, she began working on the rooftop mural. Unfortunately, the mural was never completed due to damages caused by Hurricane Maria.

Nevertheless, the project gave Nysa the confidence to continue to pursue other mural commissions. Following her love of art, cooking, and culture, Nysa found a satisfying culmination of those interests working for the annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. While her job as Director of Operations for the 501(c)3 keeps her busy, she has also completed several mural commissions around Charleston. “I really enjoy working outside and, whenever I am painting an exterior wall, people will stop and ask me about my work and I love meeting and connecting with people who stop and say hello. I have gotten several commissions from word-of-mouth referrals.”

Nysa has also designed the logo for a craft brewery located in Greenville, SC. In addition to designing Pangaea’s logo, she has painted their outdoor sign and designed one of their can labels. “I had a lot of fun working with Steve and his team designing the Pangaea logo. The brewery is a very cool space with great food, excellent beer, and a beautiful outdoor area on the Swamp Rabbit trail,” said Nysa.

“I’ve recently completed interior murals in an office co-working space, restaurant, and hair salon in downtown Charleston. Commissions can be extremely rewarding, and as my practice develops, I look forward to expanding into original works on canvas based on personal inspiration drawn from travel, family, and nature. Exploring a variety of mediums and subjects that push my pieces to new depths and horizons,” said Nysa. “I am constantly driven to create. Whether I am cooking in my kitchen, digging in my garden growing vegetables or putting paint to canvas, I am feeding my creative self. I love the work I do with the 501(c)3 because it gives me the opportunity to meet and work with other artists and creators of all types. It inspires me and I can pour that inspiration into my art.”