Born in South Wales, Nicola Gregory studied natural history illustration at Swansea College of Art and was subsequently awarded a post-graduate bursary to study advanced graphics at St. Martins School of Art in London.

From her base in central London, Nicola has worked as a freelance illustrator and surface designer for over 30 years. Her watercolours have been featured in packaging and greetings cards, and in books and periodicals, such as Country Living, Gardener’s World and Sainsbury’s magazine. Nicola regularly exhibits at The Royal Watercolour Society at Bankside and has been selected for many shows at The Mall Gallery such as the R.S.B.A, the Society of Women Artists, the Lynne Painter Stainers prize and The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. In 2019, she won the Sunday Times Watercolour publicity prize.

Growing up in the Gower peninsula, Nicola’s painting was inspired by the landscape, the beautiful beaches and the changing seasons. As a child, her glass menagerie was another source of inspiration, specifically the transparent nature of the glass and how the colours changed when overlaid.

Nicola’s paintings are mainly still-life subjects, involving staged groups of objects from around her home. The layout of her work has a design element, contrasting bold sections of flat colour with more detailed areas. She also uses dolls’ house furniture in her painting, as it helps create a sense of proportion and a story.