I originally trained as a graphic artist, and then followed a different career path working in the national media, travel and public relations in both London and Paris.

After sometime I returned to my creative roots full time, so to speak, and became a full time artist, teacher and creative entrepreneur.

The artist bit means I have worked in a variety of media, but am currently splashing about with watercolours. I love the magic they make when the pigments play with the water. And if you let them do their own thing, it's even better.

I have also painted murals in a child's bedroom or around a swimming pool, covering everything from fairies to Tuscan views. Painted furniture with decorative effects and designs and given walls specialist paint effects and stencils. All fun stuff for the discerning home owner

The teaching bit involved me teaching a 'Decorative Paint Effects' section of an interior design certificate course at Kidderminster College, Worcestershire, UK. Here they studied paint effects for walls and furniture, designing and cutting stencils, Period design elements and produced sample boards.

Then continuing the theme of teaching I have also tutored on many private workshops in the above subjects plus decoupage, gilding and trompe l'oeil (trick the eye painting).

Now, installed in the south of France I continue with all of the above but adding on-line courses to my creative portfolio. Flexibility is the name of the game in today's world

I have exhibited widely in the area.

Recently I was invited to plan and teach a creative summer school, offering a variety of artistic subjects, at one of the leading camping venues in the area. So, you never know some of these subjects might pop up as one of my courses on Udemy

I have had work featured in a national 'lifestyle' magazine and on BBC Radio 4 and Central TV in the UK

[email protected]
Facebook group : 'Painting with Nicola'
www.painting-holidays-france.com
YouTube: Nicola Blakemore