WELCOME TO NICOLE CORONADO GALLERY

Nicole Lynn Rittenhouse (Coronado), formerly Owen, was born in Seattle, WA, but raised in the suburbs of Bellevue and Renton. After moving from the Lake Sammamish area, she attended Renton High School and then traveled extensively in Europe, to the Eastern US, and finally to Asia where she further developed an interest in cultural diversity and awareness.

After her travels, Nicole continued her education fueled by a personal interest in symbolic expression and material culture. Later, in 1996, she graduated from Washington State University (WSU) with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a minor in Asian Studies. After receiving her degree she completed graduate-level coursework in the social sciences, IT Management and Business Administration at WSU, and the U of Phoenix. Later, in 2007, she obtained a Substitute Teaching Certificate from the Illinois State Board of Education. In 2013, she received her ISBE Paraprofessional Educator (ELS) & Substitute Teacher (STL) licenses.

After 11+ years of business development and work within the IT, education and clinical healthcare fields, Nicole took a part-time position as an Young Rembrandts Art Instructor where she fell in love with teaching aspiring child artisans. Along with creating artwork, attending art-related events, and completing a concepts and techniques art course, from the University of Pennsylvania, Nicole was a Substitute Teacher and Educational Assistant employed with the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205. Nicole also worked, the 2013-2014 school year, as a full-time, licensed 1-0n-1 Special Education Program Assistant, for the Villa Park School District #45. While employed with the district, she had the opportunity to educate special needs elementary students, which included assisting them in her favorite pastime “ART”!

Just as with the bright students Nicole has educated, her creativity and interest in art appreciation began as a child when she would pay close attention to the “Draw Me” advertisements from the Art Instruction Schools and surprise her parents with pretty good renditions of “Cubby” and “Tippy the Turtle”. She would also avidly watch the early 80’s PBS channel painting series “The Joy of Painting” featuring the late American artist Bob Ross.

Nicole’s mother, herself a talented artisan, helped to further develop her daughter’s appreciation for art, and encouraged her to keep a portfolio of her best sketches. Nicole’s most enjoyable subject matter was geometric paisley design, facial portraits, outdoor scenery and nature. A favorite activity of Nicole’s was to sketch closet-wall-murals, of stallions, with her childhood friend, and neighbor, Miss Isley, who was also an excellent blooming artist. Nicole still has fun today creating unicorn murals within her own children’s room.

Later in life Nicole developed an appreciation for a variety of artwork and the meanings/context portrayed by artists from different cultures many of which pieces she had encountered overseas and often read about while at university.,

Nicole is primarily a self-taught acrylic painting artist. She prefers the creative expression and freedom of developing new ideas and original abstract artwork without the constraints and structure of applied art theory; however in her early years, while attending school, she studied basic painting techniques under the guidance of Instructor Goldstein, thus providing her with a basic foundation in art. Later she also enrolled in an introductory black and white photography / photo developing course. Nicole understands the need to expand her knowledge and is delving into learning other techniques and mediums. In 2013 Nicole had become a member of the Lombard Arts Coalition (which sponsors an https://www.nuhs.edu/news/2013/2/fine-art-show-and-reception-in-clinic-gallery,-224) in order to network and support community events; however shortly after, in 2014, Nicole experienced a family emergency. For the next few years Nicole worked full-time for a major higher education institution and focused solely on the support and well-being of her family. In 2015 Nicole and her daughters purchased a new home and moved to the Aurora community. Then, in 2016, Nicole met the love of her life and now resides with him and her daughters in west Aurora, IL.

During the 3 year interim Nicole, out of necessity, placed her artwork on a temporary hold.

Nicole was recently hired as a substitute teacher for a local school district and has started painting with a passion again. She is currently a member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters.

Nicole’s framed photographs, paintings and prints have been made available for sale online, many public shows, events, benefits and charitable functions.