Emily Nicoll is a digital artist and founder of the record label Aquaregia Records, which skillfully blends psychedelic electronic music with harmonious visual worlds. Her work combines analog and digital tools, often exploring delicate beauty within rigorous structures.
Whether designing generative vinyl record covers or utilizing artificial intelligence and photography techniques, she is dedicated to creating immersive experiences shaped by sound and emotion.
This interview took place in the lobby of the Saint George Hotel during the Art Blocks Marfa weekend, where Emily Nicoll shared insights into how music inspires her artistic practice, the significance of her debut as an Art Blocks artist, and how she continues to explore the balance between nature and technology.
Note: For brevity and clarity, this interview has been edited.
OpenSea:
Could you please introduce yourself?
Emily Nicoll:
I'm Emily Nicoll—I'm the founder of the record label Aquaregia and also a digital artist.
OpenSea:
You describe Aquaregia as both a record label and a visual world—did music shape the art, or did the art shape the music? How does this relationship work?
Emily Nicoll:
For Aquaregia, music undoubtedly shapes the art—whenever I create, I always listen to music, whether it's for my personal art projects or label work. All Aquaregia cover designs are part of the same project in my mind, and my art is always influenced by music.
I try to visualize the images that come to mind when I listen to music—every Aquaregia cover has a unique aesthetic style. In my personal art practice, I always listen to music, especially hypnotic, psychedelic acid electronics, and I attempt to incorporate that feeling into my work.
OpenSea:
Please tell us about your record label—how was it founded?
Emily Nicoll:
I founded Aquaregia ten years ago, and this December (2025) will mark our 10th anniversary—I originally started it as a platform to share music I loved.
The first released works come from 747, who collaborated with me on an Art Blocks project. At the time, Aquaregia was also the platform where I showcased my visual art—before discovering NFTs, it was my primary venue for sharing my work.
OpenSea:
How did you first get into NFTs? What was your entry point?
Emily Nicoll:
I first encountered NFTs in 2020 and began collecting in 2021—like many others, I learned about them during the pandemic, when the music industry came to a halt. I had previously lived in Berlin and later moved back to Toronto, and the music industry also stalled during that time—this is when I discovered digital art.
I follow many digital artists on Instagram and other social media platforms, and I started seeing them post about crypto art—this was my entry point into this space.
OpenSea:
You're also an artist—on your work Whimsies, you use AI technology to explore emotions through flowers and floral forms. What draws you to the theme of merging nature and technology?
Emily Nicoll:
My entire body of work blends natural and digital elements, combining analog and digital techniques—I aim to create a duality between hard and soft elements, whether in my collaborations with Aquaregia or in my personal projects.
OpenSea:
Could you talk about your recent project?
Emily Nicoll:
My recent project is Pacific Spirit, released by Art Blocks—Pacific Spirit is both an album released by my record label and a generative art project. All 300 generated pieces were printed as unique vinyl record covers and distributed globally.
OpenSea:
You're an artist, DJ, and label founder—do these identities feel separate to you, or do they blend into a multifaceted whole?
Emily Nicoll:
My work as an artist, label manager, and DJ is interconnected—they are all inspired by music first and explore similar themes. The music released by the label is electronic, a genre often perceived as rigid and hard-edged, but the music we release is actually soft, melodic, and beautiful electronic music.
This feeling also shows up in my art—I use digital technologies, which are often seen as impersonal, but I try to make them feel softer, exploring the contrast between the two.
OpenSea:
Why does this contrast resonate so deeply with you right now?
Emily Nicoll:
Combining soft and hard elements is a way to escape certain emotions—life always carries some rigidity, and I believe trying to soften things and ease the seriousness is always beneficial.
OpenSea:
You transitioned from photography to 3D modeling, and then to artificial intelligence—how do you decide when it's worth exploring a new tool or technology in your work?
Emily Nicoll:
I use a wide variety of tools in my creative process—I mainly use Photoshop as the final composite tool, but all my materials are created using different techniques. Photography was the primary medium in my early work, and I've also used painting. Recently, I've been exploring generative art, algorithmic art, and artificial intelligence.
Whenever a new technology emerges, I love trying it out—experimenting with new things is always fun, and I enjoy exploring new ways to integrate them into my creative practice. The final workflow remains consistent, but the way I create my materials varies greatly.
OpenSea:
What does coming to Marfa mean to you this weekend?
Emily Nicoll:
This is my third year at Marfa, and each year has been special—this year is my first time attending as an Art Blocks artist, not just a collector. It feels especially meaningful to experience the art scene from this perspective and reunite with all the friends I've made here over the years.
OpenSea:
Thank you.
Emily Nicoll:
Thank you very much.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or trading advice. Mention of specific projects, products, services, or tokens does not constitute endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by OpenSea. OpenSea does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers are responsible for verifying any statements in this article before taking action, and must conduct their own due diligence before making any decisions.
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