Nicola Read was born in Hong Kong and has lived in Cyprus, Nottingham, Leicestershire and Gloucestershire before finally settling in Derbyshire.

As a child her love of art was encouraged by her talented parents and Nicola went on to study art and photography.

She won a place to exhibit in a Derby Arts Festival competition and since then her work has been keenly sought after by varying establishments, including galleries, offices, bars, and restaurants, along with many private commissions.

Previously with Washington Green, one of the UK's leading publishing houses, her work sells nationwide in the UK, in Ireland and America.

More recently Nicola was selected as a finalist in the North of the Wall art competition.

Nicola describes herself as a sensitive and spiritual person and believes her paintings often reflect this side of her personality, in particular her abstract paintings. Her love of colour is apparent in her work and she is often inspired by nature and music.