nadine flowers

As a Rhode Island native, I have always gravitated to the ocean. My work is inspired by the nature surrounding me, and I find overwhelming beauty in the perfect smoothness of a stone, the intricate pattern of weather-worn driftwood, and the breathtaking color of a blue crab shell. Every beach, river, and shoreline is a source of unique treasures waiting to tell its story. My collages explore the concept of possibility, never knowing what I might discover each time I wander the shore. What I find most interesting is how the power of nature can turn everyday objects, left or lost by humans, into equally beautiful objects worthy of our attention. I encourage my viewers to study my assemblages up close — to recognize the beauty of seaming ordinary objects that often go unnoticed in our busy day-to-day lives.

Nadine Flowers, a native of Little Compton, Rhode Island, is a seasoned artist and designer whose creative journey began with a Suma Cum Laude degree in Visual Design from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1990. Her early career flourished within the prestigious design studio of Malcolm Greer Designers in Providence, RI, followed by her formative years at a boutique design studio in Cambridge, MA. After a corporate stint and a period at a Boston-based agency on Boylston Street, Nadine established Grow Design in 2005, a creative firm nestled in the heart of Little Compton.

A New Englander through and through, Nadine has spent most of her life on the Rhode Island coast. Her artistic expression is a testament to a lifelong affinity for the shore, stemming from an early passion for beachcombing and collecting. For decades, she has curated a trove of weather-worn objects drawn to the colors, textures, and patterns shaped by nature. Inspired by the stunning beauty and intricate details carved by sun, wind, sand, water, and time — her art encapsulates the endless variety of objects the region’s coastline offers. Each piece embodies her meticulous craftsmanship, incorporating shells, driftwood, sea glass, pottery shards, and other found objects. Nadine’s exploration extends beyond the tangible elements. She delves into the nuances of negative space, juxtaposition, scale, and the subtle interplay of texture, shadow, and colors. Her assemblages are a visual mosaic reflecting New England’s raw coastal beauty.