Nicola Bouwer | South African Artist

Original oil paintings and collage that ask you to slow down and look twice.

Available Art

Abstract painting with a dark background and scattered light blue and white rectangular and square brush strokes.

Contemporary Oil Painting

I build paint up in layers, then wipe some of it back off before it dries. Whatever survives that, a smear, a ghost of an earlier colour, stays in the finished painting. I don't paint over it or hide it, it's part of the work now.

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A split image showing a hand holding a pen, tracing detailed drawings of a landscape map, and another hand using a stylus on a tablet with an abstract image of a hand drawing a rainbow.

Contemporary Collage Art

Each collage holds more than one story. Look long enough and you'll find your own way into it

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Interested in a piece, or want to talk about a commission?

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A small office nook with a desk, blue chair, phone, notepad, and a pen, with a framed artwork on the wall and a window with white curtains.
Artist Nicola Bouwer standing in her studio with arms crossed, smiling, surrounded by sketches, colour swatches, and paintings on the wall behind her..

About

My work explores moments of stillness, emotional honesty, and the quiet spaces between presence and memory. Rooted in introspection, it often draws from nature, family relationships, and the unseen layers of life’s experiences, exploring what lies beneath the surface.

I work with both oil painting and collage, alternating between them as each offers different ways of thinking and making.

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Artist Nicola Bouwer painting on canvas with blue paint in her studio, surrounded by paint jars and art tools.

Studio Notes

Alongside my visual work, I write about creativity, family life, and the rhythms of making. These studio notes offer a deeper look into the thinking behind the work and the spaces in between exhibitions and finished pieces.

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Reviews

  • A monochrome watercolor painting of a person wearing sunglasses and holding their head with both hands.

    We purchased an artwork from Nicola and absolutely love it now that it’s framed and on our wall. A beautiful addition to our home.

    - Hugo Bezuidenhout

  • Breathing Patterns, a 57 x 41 cm oil painting by Johannesburg-based artist Nicola Bouwer, exploring repetition, observational details, and figurative patterns in contemporary style.

    Nicola Bouwer’s work is radiant and rich. I have a large collection of art hanging on my walls. I’ve been curating spaces for the last 20 years, public and private platforms. I have worked with artists from around the world. When I view Bouwer’s work, it clearly stands out. Her ability to tell a story with the least amount of subject on the canvas is unparalleled. A single chair against an identified background says so much. Bouwer has the ability to move you to tears with only a single chair. I’m a proud collector of her work. I am thrilled to witness her artistic journey and can’t wait to see where she will go…and take me with her.

    - Yasser Bagersh

  • A Rhythm Broken 1, a 26 x 17 cm oil painting by Johannesburg-based artist Nicola Bouwer, from the Things You Notice series, featuring red dots and one missing element, exploring repetition and subtle disruption in contemporary figurative style..

    I am lucky to have one of Nicola’s atmospheric paintings in my hallway. It is serene and moody, taking you to a quieter place every time you walk past.

    - Robyn Shamu

  • Between Heaven and Earth 1, a 26 x 24 cm mixed-media artwork by Johannesburg-based artist Nicola Bouwer, from the Things You Notice series, exploring subtle textures, repetition, and observational details in contemporary figurative style.

    I don't have any abstract art in my house. It isn't that I don't appreciate abstract art - I just couldn't find pieces that I felt comfortable living with. This triptych by Nicola Bouwer was the perfect option for me: architectural, modern and fresh, but at home in my home.

    - Zelda Pringle

  • Parallel Thoughts, a 14 x 23 cm watercolour and pencil artwork by Johannesburg-based artist Nicola Bouwer, exploring line, colour, and observational patterns in contemporary figurative style.

    I have known Nicola for many years, and although I am no expert, her growth as an artist has been sublime and wonder to watch. Nicola’s style is relatable, and her pictures take pride of place in our home.

    - Mark Hele