Check Out Nichole Blackburn’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichole Blackburn.

Hi Nichole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love of art started early, thanks to public school programs like Hands On Art. I remember being fully engaged in those classes—it was one of the few times I felt completely focused. I’d lose track of time, just happy to be creating.

In high school, my art teacher at Redondo Union, Mr. Kooper, played a big role in encouraging me. Mr. Kooper gave me extra time in the art room and pushed me to build a portfolio, which he submitted to the Otis Parsons Young Artist Program. I was awarded a scholarship to take life drawing classes at Otis, and that experience became a turning point. It gave me a real sense of direction and confirmed that this was the path I wanted to follow.

That early foundation shaped everything that came next—including my current focus on custom murals and hand-painted interiors through my Los Angeles-based studio, Celadon Studio and Fine Art. www.celadonstudio.com

Those formative years in the high school art room also inspired me to found Big Sky Countries, a nonprofit that creates murals for children’s facilities around the world. It’s become one of the most meaningful extensions of my work—bringing color, joy, and creativity to communities that could use a little extra brightness. www.bigskycountries.com

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a mural business in my early 20s came with a lot of learning curves. In the beginning, I didn’t have a studio. I painted in the kitchen of my small apartment. My first “art studio” was a mini storage unit with a roll-up door that faced a refinery. My mom would hire me to paint her house so I could practice new techniques I was experimenting with. During the early years, I bartended at night and painted during the day to support myself while building my art business. In my 20s, I slept in a work van on a job site in Hollywood—after finishing at 2 a.m. and needing to start again just a few hours later at 5. That time was not glamorous and pretty scrappy, but it gave me grit and backbone.

One of the biggest challenges was being taken seriously at that age. I looked young, I was young, and I was walking into job sites often run by contractors or designers with decades of experience. I had to learn quickly how to speak confidently about my work and advocate for myself—even when I felt intimidated.

Every project taught me something. Every challenge pushed me to become a better artist. Starting out I had the creative drive and a clear vision, but I didn’t yet have the business experience or confidence to back it up. I was figuring things out as I went—how to price my work, how to communicate with clients and how to manage timelines.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m Nichole, Founder and Creative Director of Celadon Studio and Fine Art—a boutique fine art studio based in Los Angeles specializing in murals, custom canvas work, and hand-painted children’s spaces. I’m a classically trained fine artist who launched the studio in my early 20s with a passion for transforming spaces through vibrant, hand painted artwork.
With over 20 years of experience, my work spans residential, commercial, and hospitality projects—from refined ceiling murals and bold feature walls to large-scale canvases and imaginative children’s environments.

I am a native of Redondo Beach and lifelong Angeleno. My background is half Filipino, half French Canadian/Irish. I’m also an identical twin—which gives me a natural appreciation for individuality and shared experience.

One of the most meaningful journeys in my career has been through my nonprofit, Big Sky Countries, an organization that creates murals for children’s facilities around the world. Since 2006, I’ve been honored to donate murals to schools, shelters, hospitals, libraries, and youth centers across 10 countries and throughout the U.S.—bringing color and imagination to spaces that serve kids through art. What I love most is the sense of community each mural creates—children, teachers, parents—everyone is welcome to pick up a brush and paint together.

What sets my work apart is the level of customization and care I put into each piece. Every mural is consciously tailored to the space and the people who use it. Whether I’m working with a design team on a luxury interior or painting a community wall in Kenya, the approach is the same: thoughtful, collaborative, and rooted in storytelling.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’d love to see a return to imaginative, joyful spaces for children. Lately, there’s been a trend toward ultra-neutral, almost adult-feeling children’s rooms—and while minimalism has its place, I think we’re missing out on the magic. You only get one childhood, and one chance to have an ocean mural across your wall or a painted sky overhead to drift off to between naps. There’s something so special about creating a space where a child’s imagination can run wild. The rest of life is full of serious interiors—why not let their first room feel like a storybook come to life?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.celadonstudio.com
• Instagram: celadonstudiofineart
• Facebook: Celadon Studio Fine Art
• LinkedIn: Nichole Blackburn
• Youtube: @nicholeblackburn7858
• Other: https://www.bigskycountries.com

Image Credits
Charlotte Lea Photography