Advertisement
Dónate: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/C3DA65P010VGX/checkout/XUDJNEJTZAAMYHZTJFOH74CD?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ctctKarina Nicholson
Panamanian Author and Artist
Global Vision Contemporary has always believed that art is more than an object on a wall — it is a living dialogue between cultures, histories, and dreams. Through our international trade missions, we create opportunities not only for business exchange but also for cultural encounters that transform the way we see the world. In June 2025, during a Trade Mission to Panama led in collaboration with Councilman Edward Pollard, our delegation experienced such a moment of discovery.
We were invited by Banco Nacional de Panamá to a private viewing of their prestigious art collection and a featured exhibition titled Between the Fable and the Memory by Panamanian artist Karina Nicholson. Banco Nacional is well-known for its impressive permanent collection, a treasure trove of national art that has steadily grown in both cultural and financial value. Their commitment to preserving and presenting the work of Panama’s finest artists provided the perfect stage for our introduction to Nicholson’s extraordinary vision.
From the first encounter, it was clear that Karina Nicholson’s work possessed something rare — the ability to spark both memory and imagination in equal measure. Her paintings transport the viewer into a dreamlike world, one that feels at once familiar and fantastical, like a beloved children’s book brought to life. Playful yet nostalgic, her work bridges innocence with depth, reminding us that art is not only about what we see but about what we remember and feel.
Deeply impressed by the uniqueness and collectability of her work, I extended a personal invitation for Nicholson to exhibit in Houston. With enthusiasm and grace, she accepted. Since then, we have been preparing a new body of her paintings for an upcoming exhibition that promises to be nothing short of magical.
On February 26, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 PM, Global Vision Contemporary Fine Art will proudly host the opening reception of Karina Nicholson’s Houston debut at our gallery located in the Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056. Guests will not only view her latest collection but also have the privilege of meeting the artist in person. We will open the doors at 4pm and you can make an appointment to view privately by calling our curator Heidi PP 713-927-9038 [email protected]
A Journey of Passion and Perseverance
Born in Panama in 1975, Karina Nicholson demonstrated a love for drawing and painting from a very young age. Despite her early passion, her parents encouraged her to pursue a practical career, leading her to study architecture at the University of Panama. For twenty years, she worked successfully in interior design and remodeling, but art was always her private sanctuary — a quiet force that carried her through life’s challenges and offered her joy and solace.
Her journey to becoming a professional artist was sparked by a serendipitous encounter. While having design work framed, Nicholson was introduced by framer Felix Martinez to the works of celebrated Panamanian painters. The encounter left a lasting mark, awakening her desire to pursue painting with greater seriousness.
She went on to study with respected artist Ivan Delgado and continued her education through online painting courses. Along the way, she found encouragement from Alessandra Rosas, an advocate for women painters in Panama, whose mentorship inspired her to keep creating. Nicholson often speaks of her faith and divine guidance in making the courageous decision to leave the business world behind and dedicate herself fully to art.
Supported by her husband Alan and inspired by her four children — David, Diego, Daniel, and Marian — Nicholson has created a body of work that reflects both technical discipline and boundless imagination. Her paintings, filled with classical influence yet freed from realism, invite viewers into an imaginary universe of familiar faces dressed in a dreamlike quality.
The Artistic Language of Karina Nicholson
What makes Nicholson’s paintings so compelling is the way she transforms her technical foundation into a personal, almost poetic language. She draws from her classical training in composition, perspective, and proportion, but she allows her imagination to break free from the confines of strict realism.
Her brushwork is often delicate and layered, creating soft textures that invite close viewing. Within each canvas, small details — a gesture, a gaze, a whimsical accessory — reward the attentive viewer and bring the work to life. These subtle touches are where her background in architecture is most evident: every element is carefully placed, designed not just for beauty but for balance and harmony.
Nicholson’s palette often leans toward warm, nostalgic tones — earthy reds, golden yellows, and soft blues — which lend her paintings a timeless quality. This choice of color deepens the dreamlike atmosphere while giving the viewer a sense of comfort, as if the images belonged both to the past and the present.
Her recurring themes revolve around memory, family, and the world of imagination. Figures often appear dressed in attire that feels familiar but slightly fantastical, echoing both personal memory and collective folklore. In this way, her work becomes a bridge: between childhood and adulthood, between the intimate and the universal, between the real and the imagined.
Nicholson herself has said that she sees painting as a divine calling — a way to capture emotions and stories that transcend words. Each piece is, in a sense, a fable: an invitation for the viewer to step inside and discover their own memories reflected back in a new light.
Between the Fable and the Memory
Her exhibition at Banco Nacional captivated audiences, including our Global Vision delegation. Titled Between the Fable and the Memory, the show presented works that were playful yet deeply evocative. Each painting seemed to open a doorway into collective memory — spaces where childhood wonder, nostalgia, and contemporary artistry meet.
The response to the exhibition affirmed her standing as one of Panama’s rising voices in contemporary art. Collectors and admirers were drawn to the way her works balance technical refinement with the enchantment of storytelling. For those who see art as an investment in culture and creativity, Nicholson’s work stands out as both highly personal and universally resonant.
An Invitation to Collect and Support
Global Vision Contemporary Fine Art is honored to represent Karina Nicholson and bring her to Houston for this milestone exhibition. Her work is not only an aesthetic treasure but also a sound cultural investment. Art, after all, is an investment in dreams, hope, and heritage — one that lasts across generations.
We invite collectors, sponsors, and patrons of the arts to be part of this celebration. Nicholson’s works are available for acquisition in advance of the exhibition, and sponsorship opportunities are open for those who wish to support the event and her journey.
At Global Vision, our mission is clear: to bring to Houston and beyond the voices of international artists who are passionate, professional, and undeniably collectible. Each exhibition is carefully curated to present art that enriches lives and expands the cultural dialogue of our city. In showcasing talents like Karina Nicholson, we reaffirm our belief that art is not just something we view — it is something we live.
For inquiries, please contact Heidi Powell-Prera at (713) 927-9038 or [email protected]
www.globalvisioncontempoary.com
Advertisement
Event Venue
Global Vision Contemporary, 2001 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056-4401, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
