Trendsetter: Get to Know Local Local Artist Nicole Deponte

Photography courtesy of Asterfields/Derek Delahunt

Tell us about your background and why the leap into retail?

My background is in art and design. I’ve worked for years as a collage artist and textile designer, drawn to the interplay between texture, form and story. Asterfields began as an extension of my studio practice: a space to bring together the beautiful, the curious and the meticulously crafted.

How would you define your style?

I’d call it surreal and sentimental with a touch of mischief — imagine if a Victorian naturalist had a love affair with a Bauhaus dreamer. I’m drawn to pieces that carry memory, charm and a quiet complexity.

What inspires you in your artistic creations?

My work begins in the realm of lucid dreams — images that arrive unbidden, often layered, symbolic and slightly out of time. I work intuitively, following impulse and emotion more than logic. Color is a central language in my work; I often feel it as a sensory link, almost synesthetic, connecting shape to sound, emotion to memory.

How do you go about curating items in the shop?

Curating Asterfields is very much like composing a collage. I look for pieces — whether handmade or design-forward — that speak to each other in tone, texture and mood. Each item must hold a certain energy; a spark of curiosity, craftsmanship or emotion. The goal is always to create a space that feels layered, surprising and deeply considered.

Photography courtesy of Asterfields/Derek Delahunt

Why the move to South Main Street?

South Main Street offered room to expand — more light, presence and a connection to a livelier footpath. It also brought us closer to the creative pulse of RISD and Brown. Having a space to create and share my fine art has always been my goal and the move felt like the right evolution for Asterfields.

Favorite local spots to eat and drink?

I love my morning green tea at Dave’s Coffee, a breakfast sandwich at Amy’s Place, then a walk into downtown for oysters — and anything at Gift Horse. The atmosphere feels creative and alive. For something later in the day, I’ll head into Fox Point for a cocktail at Glou.

What do you love about summer in Rhode Island?

The food is incredible, the coastlines are cinematic, and there are so many ways to move through the landscape — on a bike path, a hike or just a drive by the sea. It’s a season of abundance and beauty, and little Rhody shows it off so well. asterfields.com