Lia Nickson, American, 1924 to 2009, etching on paper, The Captive. Signed in pencil lower right. Titled in pencil lower left. Framed. Lia Nickson was an American artist known for portraits for the University and commissioned work around the country through Portraits South. She is known for paintings, Illustrations for Childrens Menus and Floop. Nationally known for her oil portraits, Lia Nickson, mother of Joel Nickson, is known best to Chicagoans for her oil and acrylic surreal renderings of the Wishbone farmyard. Her paintings and cabbage pastels adorn the walls at Wishbone. Graphic Art Prints and Collectibles.