The Power of Emotion in Paint 

From the moment I discovered Nicasio’s art, I was struck by its intensity. His paintings don’t just exist; they speak. They pull you in, making you feel something—whether it’s nostalgia, tension, or the weight of a shared experience.

“It’s a mix of personal and universal emotions,” he explained. “Some pieces come from things I’ve been through or am going through, while others tap into feelings that might resonate with anyone who sees them. There’s always this ambiguity that keeps the work open and teetering between what’s familiar and what feels foreign.”

That push and pull is what makes his art linger in the mind long after you’ve looked away.

The Art of Emotion: A Conversation with Nicasio Fernandez

Some artists paint what they see. Others paint what they feel. And then there’s Nicasio Fernandez—an artist who doesn’t just capture emotions but immerses you in them. His work vibrates with a tension between the personal and the universal, blending vibrant color, raw feeling, and intricate  imagemaking. Sitting down with him for this interview, I quickly realized that his journey into art was just as compelling as the work itself.

March 10th. Written by Ryan Packer

The Unconventional Journey of an Artist

Nicasio didn’t take the traditional route to becoming a painter. In fact, his access to art was cut off for years.

“I had an art class in first grade, and then they took all the arts away from my school,” he shared. “I didn’t have an art class again until 11th grade. So for years, I was just drawing in my notebooks, unknowingly fueling my creative journey.”

Growing up in Yonkers, New York, in a predominantly Black and brown community with underfunded schools, Nicasio experienced firsthand how the arts were often treated as disposable. Despite it all he kept on this path and never stopped creating.

It wasn’t until his high school art teacher recognized his talent and encouraged him to apply to the School of Visual Arts in New York City that he began to see a future in painting. Fourteen years later, he’s built a career that proves art isn’t just about talent—it’s about perseverance.

Color as a Language

One of the most striking things about Nicasio’s work is his use of color. His choices are never arbitrary; they tell a story, set a mood, and challenge perception.

“Early on, I was inspired by skateboard graphics and then artists like Peter Saul and the Chicago Imagists,— who used color in loud, bold, and almost aggressive ways,” he said. “I wanted to push the boundaries of color, to see how things that shouldn’t go together could create harmony.”

Over time, he refined his approach, learning that limitation can be its own kind of freedom.“If you have too many choices, you can get lost. But when you limit yourself, you start to think differently, and the work becomes more intentional. Now, I focus on tone, tint and mood—how color can shape the emotional impact of a piece.”

The Problem with Favorites

Artists are often asked to pick a favorite piece, but for Nicasio, that’s an impossible question.

“I don’t believe in favorites,” he told me. “If you have a favorite work, you’ll start chasing that moment, trying to recreate it instead of growing. Every painting is part of a larger conversation, part of my evolution.

The Human Eye, The Human Experience

With exhibitions in major cities across the country, Nicasio has seen how different audiences react to his work. But he doesn’t try to control the viewer’s experience.

“Every person sees things through their own lens—their own history, their own emotions. My job isn’t to tell them how to feel. I just hope they spend time with the work, let it sink in, let it mean something to them. Whether they love it or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that they felt something.”

Curating, Collaborating, and Dream Projects

Beyond painting, Nicasio has also curated exhibitions, including Potent in 2021. “Curating is like another form of thinking,” he explained. “It’s about creating a dialogue, not just between artists, but between ideas.”

As for collaborations? He has a few dream ones.

“Tyler, The Creator, Yachty, Pharrell—those guys inspire me, not just in their work but in how they think. He imagines what his art might look like through the lens of someone like Tyler, The Creator. “It would be crazy,” he laughed. “Chaotic and elegant in the best way.”

Advice for Emerging Artists

Before wrapping up, I asked Nicasio what advice he would give to young artists, especially those growing up in underfunded communities like the one he came from.

“Don’t rush. Don’t feel like you need to be seen right away. Your audience is out there—you’re just ahead of them. And that’s okay.”It’s a reminder that in the art world—and in life—growth happens in its own time. For Nicasio, the journey is just as important as the destination, and every canvas, every brushstroke, is another step forward.

For more updates on Nicasio Fernandez and his upcoming exhibition, stay tuned to Plann Magazine.

The Future:  Small Whispers 

Right now, Nicasio is working on a series of small-scale paintings set to debut in August in San Francisco with Berggruen Gallery. 

“With smaller works, there’s this intimacy—it forces people to get close, to really engage. I want these works to feel like whispers, like secret personal exchanges between the painting and the viewer.”

Small works have always been a part of his practice, but he’s been challenging his approach and reconfiguring his thinking with this new body of work.

.--. .-.. .- -. -. -- .- --. .- --.. .. -. .