About Nicole

Baltimore County

Nicole Lenzi’s work questions what a drawing is and its link to thinking and time passage.  She works between mediums to expand the concept of drawing including installations, photography, and works on paper. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums nationally and internationally.. She has a B.F.A from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.F.A from the Maryland Institute College of Art.  Her blog, Expanded, presents a range of contemporary drawing practices… more

Reshufflings (2020) and Shuffling(s) 2019.

Reshufflings and Shufflings are inspired by ideas read in Carlo Rovelli's The Order of  Time about the quantum world.  In this series, forms simultaneously divide and come together in an interplay between  light and dark.

Reshufflings and Shufflings works on paper are created in response to concepts explored in theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli’s The Order of Time. Rovelli writes about time at the quantum level  where the past, present, and future are blurred. Shuffling(s) are generated from multiple overlays of digital images of Conglomerates, small scale geometric constrcutions,  taken within split seconds. These are drawn on top of each other on a single piece of paper. Intersecting lines and shapes are then painted in various shades of gray. The resulting combinations of lines, shapes, and tones interact in states of entropic accord. Forms fragment in between time. Unforeseen harmonies and alignments emerge from the process


  • Reshufflings. (No. 3), 1:23 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 2: 40 p.m., 2 :49 p.m. and 2: 47 p.m.
    Reshufflings. (No. 3), 1:23 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 2: 40 p.m., 2 :49 p.m. and 2: 47 p.m.
  • Reshufflings. (No. 3), 1:11 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 1: 33 p.m., 1 :49 p.m. and 2: 47 p.m.
    Reshufflings. (No. 3), 1:11 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 1: 33 p.m., 1 :49 p.m. and 2: 47 p.m.
  • Reshufflings. (No. 3), 1:23 p.m., 1:24 p.m., 1: 36 p.m., 1 :45 p.m. and 1: 47 p.m.
    Reshufflings. (No. 3), 1:23 p.m., 1:24 p.m., 1: 36 p.m., 1 :45 p.m. and 1: 47 p.m.
  • Shuffling(s) No. 4; 1:40 p.m., 1:42 p.m. , 1:44 p.m.
    Shuffling(s) No. 4; 1:40 p.m., 1:42 p.m. , 1:44 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30 inches, 2019.
  • Shuffling(s) No. 2; 2:04 p.m., 1:28 p.m. 1: 14 p.m., 2019.
    Shuffling(s) No. 2; 2:04 p.m., 1:28 p.m. 1: 14 p.m., 2019.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30 inches, 2019.
  • Shuffling(s) No. 2; 1:24 p.m., 1:26 p.m. 1: 30 p.m., 2019.
    Shuffling(s) No. 2; 1:24 p.m., 1:26 p.m. 1: 30 p.m., 2019.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 20 x 28, 2019.
  • Shuffling(s) No. 4; 12:10 p.m., 12:12 p.m.
    Shuffling(s) No. 4; 12:10 p.m., 12:12 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30 inches, 2019.
  • Shuffling(s) No. 2; 1:54 p.m., 1:56 p.m. 2: 05 p.m., 2019.
    Shuffling(s) No. 2; 1:54 p.m., 1:56 p.m. 2: 05 p.m., 2019.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30 inches, 2019.

Progressions. 2017-18.

The works on paper, Progressions, are a series of reductive still lifes created from single digital images of Conglomerates. They pull out the darkest darks and lightest lights, revealing shadow pathways. Varying degrees of information are left in each work to decipher form. This removes  them from their original context and open them to new interpretations.

  • Progressions (No. 1) 12:32 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 1) 12:32 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30, 2017.
  • Progressions (No. 2) 12:36 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 2) 12:36 p.m.
  • Progressions (No. 2) 12:41 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 2) 12:41 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30, 2017.
  • Lenzi_4.jpg
    Lenzi_4.jpg
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30, 2017.
  • Untitled-16.jpg
    Untitled-16.jpg
  • Progressions (No. 2) 12:44 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 2) 12:44 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 22 x 30, 2018.
  • Progressions (No. 12) 2:12 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 12) 2:12 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 32 x 48, 2018.
  • Progressions (No. 6) 12:46 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 6) 12:46 p.m.
  • Progressions (No. 14) 2:14 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 14) 2:14 p.m.
    Ink and pencil on paper, 32 x 48, 2018.
  • Progressions (No. 14) 2:12 p.m.
    Progressions (No. 14) 2:12 p.m.

Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4. 2017.

The Progressions and Shuffling(s) series explores a dialogue between dimensions, media, and time to expand how to see and experience drawing.

Conglomerate (Progressions), are composed of cement slabs and plexiglass (and sit on cement). The term relates to musical chord progressions produced over time to stir harmonies. Made in relation to shifting sunlight and shadows, they were constructed outside over the course of several days and/or hours. Shadow lines are observed and recorded on and from materials to mark shadow movements and extend the drawing activity. Different stages are photographed to record unexpected alignments.

The works on paper, Progressions, are a series of reductive still lifes created from single digital images of Conglomerates. They pull out the darkest darks and lightest lights, revealing shadow pathways. Varying degrees of information are left in each work to decipher form. This removes them from their original context and open them to new avenues of exploration.

Shuffling(s) works on paper are created in response to concepts explored in theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli’s The Order of Time. Rovelli writes about time at the quantum level where the past, present, and future are blurred. Shuffling(s) are generated from multiple overlays of digital images of Conglomerates taken within split seconds. These are drawn on top of each other on a single piece of paper. Intersecting lines and shapes are then painted in various shades of gray. The resulting combinations of lines, shapes, and tones interact in states of entropic accord. Forms fragment in between time. Unforeseen harmonies and alignments emerge from the process.

  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 1, 75 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 1, 75 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 2, 78 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 2, 78 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 1, 75 Minutes (Detail)
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 1, 75 Minutes (Detail)
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 5, 87 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 5, 87 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 5, 121 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 5, 121 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 5, 114 Minutes (Detail)
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 5, 114 Minutes (Detail)
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 9, 145 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 9, 145 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 9, 165 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 9, 165 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 7, 135 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 7, 135 Minutes
  • Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 10, 177 Minutes
    Conglomerates (Progressions) Series 4, No. 10, 177 Minutes

Sight Drawings.2018-Current.

Sight Drawings are drawings seen in passing. They may share formal qualities with traditional works like light and shadow or inspire the imagination for new ones to come.  No interventions are made.
  • Sight Drawing (Reflections) No. 17, 2:26 p.m.
    Sight Drawing (Reflections) No. 17, 2:26 p.m.
  • Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 2, 1:27 p.m.
    Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 2, 1:27 p.m.
  • Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 11, 3:46 p.m.
    Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 11, 3:46 p.m.
  • Sight Drawing (Light) No. 4, 3:30 p.m.
    Sight Drawing (Light) No. 4, 3:30 p.m.
  • Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 3, 2:38 p.m.
    Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 3, 2:38 p.m.
  • Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 5, 2:53 p.m.
    Sight Drawing (Shadow Lines) No. 5, 2:53 p.m.

Progressions Installation.

This installation creates a dialogue between the  shadow lines of  the Progressions and Shufflings series with the space at large.
  • Progressions Installation
    Progressions Installation
  • Progressions Installation
    Progressions Installation
  • Progressions Installation
    Progressions Installation
  • Progressions Installation
    Progressions Installation
  • Progressions Installation
    Progressions Installation
  • Progressions Installation
    Progressions Installation