about Nicola
Passionate about colour
Colour is one of my passions. It’s how I fell in love with pastels and the reason I accidentally became an interior designer. Now I’m an award winning pastel artist and an artist member of Pastel Artists NZ.
My home is in Red Beach on the northern edge of Auckland, New Zealand. I love living in such a beautiful place. Beautiful places thrill me. I feel them. So it’s no surprise that most of my paintings are vibrant landscapes.
My art journey began a long time ago with a paintbrush and the colour pink…
From the moment I picked up a paintbrush I liked painting. During ‘The Pink Years’ of kindergarten I produced single colour abstract paintings every day.
In between my early years of art and my grown up art career there have been a few interesting diversions. After school I got a very sensible law degree and qualified as a barrister and solicitor. Then came one lovely husband and five beautiful children.
Creative projects kept calling – writing, art, set making, paint colours and interiors, which I followed so far I ended up with my own interior design business, Island House. Finally art called the loudest.
I’ve exhibited in many group exhibitions and won a handful of awards, but the one I’m most proud of is the NZ national Purely Pastel Supreme Award – The Impressions Unison Cup. On this cup are the names of many of my art heroes. It’s a thrill to have my name alongside them.
These days you’ll find me working from my home studio, When I’m not painting new works or saying yes to the occasional creative project, I’m sharing my love of art. I’m the Vice-President of Pastel Artists NZ and teach classes and the occasional workshop.
