NICOLA OSBORNE ART ABOUT

I studied Illustration at Maidstone (KIAD now UCA) gaining a degree in Illustration, continuing my studies at Middlesex University where I achieved a PGCE, becoming a qualified Art teacher.

As a former high school art teacher, with 20 years of experience, now turned full-time artist, I bring both technical skill and intuitive depth to my mixed media practice. My journey has taken me from the classroom to artist residencies, exhibitions and much more, I am always driven by a deep belief in the power of visual connection.

Rooted in the natural world, my work often begins with floral and organic inspiration. Over time, it has evolved from representational to more abstract expressions. This shift reflects a growing realisation: the intricate beauty of nature can’t be precisely captured — but it can be felt. And it’s that feeling I chase with every brushstroke.

My process is intuitive, embracing the unexpected. Patterns emerge. Shapes repeat. Lines and geometry intertwine with bold washes of colour. I draw inspiration from kaleidoscopic imagery and the structured chaos of the natural world, using visual rhythm to draw viewers in.

Painting is an immersive process for me—one that shifts and reflects my emotional state. Rather than beginning with a fixed outcome, I allow the work to develop through experimentation and response. The interaction between control and unpredictability keeps the process alive and energising.

Through this approach, each painting becomes a record of movement, sensation, and mood, inviting the viewer to experience both the material surface and the atmosphere it creates.

View available collections/series and new work in the links below