Nikki Rakov (b. 1972, Virginia) is an artist based in St. Augustine, Florida, whose work bridges realms of memory, mysticism, and the metaphysical. Currently pursuing her M.F.A. in Painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Nikki anticipates graduating in January 2025. She layers acrylics, oils, watercolors, and drawing media to conjure mysterious figures and landscapes inspired by dreams, visions, and her research into folk magic and family histories. Her paintings reveal hidden energies and challenge conventional narratives, spotlighting women’s forgotten histories and reimagining mythological and historical female figures as symbols of resilience and power. Drawing on Anglo-Celtic folklore, Nikki’s work blurs the line between reality and the unknown, inviting viewers to explore “thin spaces”—liminal places where the physical and spiritual worlds intersect.