A fascination with the world of art began at an early age for Nikol.  Born in the former Czechoslovakia, she remembers sketching on the edges of newspapers when no other material was available.  Painting, writing and acting were her interests from young childhood.

Frequently visiting art exhibitions and galleries, Nikol was exposed to engaging subject matter from attending shows ranging from the Old Masters in the museums of Prague to the often controversial local artists’ presentations.  She was encouraged to debate the artwork in order to develop sensitivity to the endless emotional effect on its viewer.  Often relating such experiences, she started to acquire her own style of painting.  

Nikol and her family escaped Czechoslovakia in 1987 with the intent of immigrating to Canada.  After a long and often trying process, they were finally allowed to resettle in Vancouver.  This dramatic change had an incredible impact on Nikol.  Although this experience was often challenging, it provided further observation not only of the art world, but also of politics, spirituality and the strength of the human spirit.

Haskova’s work is reflective of past experience as well as the inspiration of future possibilities.  Hoping to invite a response and stir up questions about her paintings, she often omits detail such as the curves of her landscapes.  Inspiring to affect the viewer without the use of traditional techniques, the minimalist look of her work and the inclusion of poems or short stories is a conscious choice.  Abandoning practices such as archiving chips of paint, premixing a palette or avoiding straight lines in her paintings, she has found her own, if highly unconventional ways to speak on canvas.


“Nikol Haskova paints landscapes that evoke more emotion than sense of place, much like the landscape paintings of Laura Harris. Both women use techniques that bleed pigment together, creating a remarkable sense of atmosphere.”  Britt Germann

ARTIST’S STATEMENT:

“I have always made up stories.  Trees seem to whisper to each other, the sky meets the ground with chilling drama in winter and lazy comfort in summer.  There are countless tales to be captured.  

While I highly respect many traditional painters, I am far less interested in capturing reality myself than I am in awaking one’s emotion and curious spirit. “