Nicole Wheat
also known as
@meekonos

In 1992, I began an unexpected journey into the life of a deaf-blind artist.

Growing up in the vibrant landscape of New York, I encountered the challenge of navigating a world that communicated in sound. a mode that often felt elusive to me, given only my severe hearing loss was apparent then. Yet, within the quiet, I found a tapestry of wonder. I would gather colors, fragments of voices, echoes from films, and distant music, weaving them into stories only my imagination could fill. This early life fostered a deep curiosity to make sense of the world around me, layering every piece of art with the unsolved mysteries and intricate beauty I perceived in life.

I took my first steps into art as an act of instinct, discovering the power of visual language to bridge what words could not. High school’s creative departments and my later college studies in the arts offered me invaluable skills, yet the disconnect I felt in daily life reaffirmed art as my grounding force. Art became my purpose, a steady beacon illuminating my path.

At 26, life introduced another layer to my journey with a diagnosis of Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects hearing, balance, and vision, leading to progressive blindness from retinitis pigmentosa. It reframed my understanding of my hearing loss and the ongoing visual changes I was experiencing. With resilience born of facing countless challenges, I harnessed my unique perspective to transcend fear and embrace the beauty in life’s uncertainties. Art became my language, my outlet to channel both the sorrow and joy I felt, giving my audience a glimpse into my world.

I bring a unique and powerful perspective to my art, shaped by a lifetime of navigating visual and auditory challenges with a deep dedication to creativity. My journey as a deaf-blind artist has imbued my work with resilience, emotion, and an instinctive understanding of nonverbal communication. Educated in robust art programs and training, I developed strong technical skills across visual mediums, coupled with an unwavering commitment to the soul of art as a connective force. Through countless trials, I’ve honed a style that captures both intricate storytelling and universal emotion. I’m driven to create meaningful, impactful work that speaks to the heart and invites others to explore profound questions; qualities that make me not only a capable artist but one with a unique voice that resonates.

In sharing my art, I hope to inspire others to explore their own answers to life’s big questions. My journey isn’t only mine, it is woven with threads of every interaction, every unseen answer, every act of courage to continue creating.

I have a BFA in Illustration from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and an Associates in Graphic Design from Suffolk County College, New York.

I currently reside in Los Angeles.

To follow my personal journey more closely, you can find me on instagram @meekonos

With warmth, Nicole Wheat.

© 2024 Nicole Wheat Illustration
All rights reserved for art produced by Nicole Wheat