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💡 TLDR
So apparently, Caroline Zurmely turned her childhood obsession with nail polish into a full-blown art career. As a kid, she’d line up nail polish bottles like dolls, assigning personalities based on c…
So apparently, Caroline Zurmely turned her childhood obsession with nail polish into a full-blown art career. As a kid, she’d line up nail polish bottles like dolls, assigning personalities based on color—dark green was the mean teacher, coral was the kindergartner. Now, 31 and a Rhode Island School of Design grad, she’s painting with her old toys, but instead of plastic, she’s using 1,000+ Essie bottles. Her studio smells like glitter and regret, thanks to her air-powered respirator and gloves. She’s basically a nail polish diva who accidentally became a high jewelry maven.
Zurmely’s process is wild. She primed canvases with white nail polish, then layered shades to match gemstones. But here’s the kicker: she slaps on six to seven topcoats, each with glitter suspended inside. “It’s like giving jewelry a spa day,” she says. The result? Pieces that shimmer like they’re dipped in liquid stardust. Her subjects? Think Princess Diana’s ring-clad hand, Naomi Campbell’s smoky cigarette, or a rich chick’s knees mid-staircase descent. It’s glamour with a side of tabloid drama, all painted in shades of coral and cerulean.
Her studio? A Michigan basement where she watches Love Island and The Real Housewives while painting. “I think I paint better when women scream in the background,” she jokes. It’s like a reality TV montage, but with a brush. She’s even recreated high jewelry pieces for W’s Art Issue—Graff necklaces, Cartier rings, Chopard earrings—all made with nail polish, not diamonds. Her vibe? Minimalist meets messy, like Irving Penn’s ads but with more glitter and less backdrop.
Key points: Zurmely uses nail polish as a medium, not just paint. She layers glitter for depth, and her subjects are all about high fashion with a dash of drama. She’s not into backgrounds—just the material, like emeralds or diamonds. Oh, and she’s obsessed with nail polish but doesn’t wear it. She bites her nails instead.
💫 Do you go full glitter or stick to the classics.
So what’s your favorite way to make art? Do you go full glitter or stick to the classics? 🤭
❓ People Also Ask
What inspired Caroline Zurmely to create nail polish paintings?
Zurmely was inspired by the beauty of high jewelry and wanted to merge it with the vibrant colors of nail polish, creating a unique fusion of art and fashion.
How does Zurmely apply nail polish to her artwork?
She uses fine brushes and layering techniques to apply nail polish, building intricate details that mimic the precision of high jewelry design.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇