Mill Creek student’s art an inspiration

MILL CREEK — Nicole Oli­phant’s graphic design explodes as a kaleidoscope of colors — sky blue, yellow, orange and green.

The Henry M. Jackson High School freshman named her work “Pattern” and it hangs in the state Capitol in Olympia with other students’ entries from nine regional art competitions held his spring.

Though it didn’t win at the state level, just getting there was a remarkable feat.

Nicole has a muscular condition that robs her of much of the use of her hands. So she uses a computer and sensors on her forehead to draw.

“I use the mouse with my head,” she said. At her art teacher’s suggestion, Nicole said she blended different designs she’d created as part of classroom assignments.

While she enjoyed exploring different colors and shades for the entry, she didn’t really expect to have it reach the state level after she entered the art contest in January.

In April, a letter arrived from Terry Bergeson, the state superintendent of public instruction, informing her that “Pattern” would be part of the student art show, which runs through next week.

“I was really excited when I read that,” said Nicole, 15. “I’m still excited. I like graphic design and this is a lot easier now that I’m a little more used to it.”

Her design is among 111 pieces to advance from nine regions of the state, and emerged as one of seven pieces chosen among dozens of entries from northwest Washington.

“This is a big thing for her,” art teacher Rick Wigre said. “It shows the possibilities.”

Nicole said she is thankful for the technology that allows her to share with her head what her hands could not. She creates her art by moving her head. The movement is relayed to a spherical device perched atop her computer monitor, and she clicks the mouse with her thumb.

Her love for art has her pondering a career in computer-aided design and graphics.

Nicole, who as a child painted with her toes and fingers, now uses a long, strawlike tool called a mouthstick to draw and write.

“I just love to mess with all the colors,” she said. “The hardest part was making the lines straight, and all the angles.”

Life has long been about adapting for Nicole, a solid student born with arthrogryposis amyoplasia, a muscular disorder characterized by stiffness of the limbs, limited range of motion in joints and weak muscles.

It occurs in about one in 10,000 births and frequently affects hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, feet and knees.

“I’m very accepting of my condition,” said Nicole, who uses a wheelchair and has had many surgeries to lengthen her tendons, straighten her legs and fuse her spine so her vital organs would not be crushed.

“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” said her mother, Kim Oliphant. “Through her many challenges in life, it was always my goal for her to live as normal a life as possible, no exceptions.”

That has been Nicole’s goal as well. She likes clothes shopping at the mall, going to movies with her friends and vacationing at Lake Chelan. There are three Johnny Depp posters on the pink and red walls of her bedroom and she dreams of attending college out of state.

She also likes to help others. As a volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, she contacts families, helps with fundraising and newsletters, and helps coordinate summer camp activities that kids and teens look forward to each year.

Wigre believes Nicole can go far, largely because of her determination and work ethic.

“She is a good learner,” he said. “You can have someone good in art but unless they are teachable, you can only take them so far. Nicole is very teachable.”

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.