Nick DeMarsico is an avid independent studio artist. His interest for artistic endeavors is matched by his experience and dedication to the craft. He attributes much of his traditional training to studying under Isaac Payne and Carolyn Jacobs at CPCC. After receiving an Associates in Fine Art in 2019, Nick expanded his knowledge and experience further and went on to become a studio assistant to Isaac Payne during the summer of 2019 as well as working alongside Ivan Toth Depena in 2019. He participated in a residency with Charlotte’s Good Year Arts in 2019. Throughout the duration of his college education, Nick was awarded First Place in the 2014 and 2017 Annual Juried Student Show at Central Piedmont Community College. He was chosen to show work every year in the Annual Juried Student Show during his time in the art department. The work for 2014 was published on the cover of World of Art by Henry M. Sayer, and the first place works for 2014 and 2017 in the League for Innovation publication. Artist Statement: The origin of my artistic process stems from my up-bringing. My parents, who bought and sold antiques and vintage toys, influenced my use of materials for collaging. By collecting and collaging vintage imagery, I create an open-ended narrative that, at its core, has more than just one meaning. I’m currently interested in misinterpreted imagery—these fragments or momentary splices of visual information that we disregard without a moment’s hesitation. I like to embrace the ambiguity in older imagery because these images are less edited and have fewer alterations. I enjoy searching for imagery that is tactile or palpable—a memory, idea, or sensation that has yet to find form. The work I produce is an attempt at bringing into fruition the experiences and emotional responses that we all feel incapable of communicating. My process comes first as an idea, then I go on a search for imagery, which I then translate to form and communicate that initial idea. My goal is to find some semblance of authenticity in the world filled with penetrating influence.