Born and raised in Claremont, California, story telling was always a passion for Nicholas; drawing comics, creating live theater and briefly working in the local television cable news department. After studying theatre arts at U.C.L.A.’s School of Theater, Film and Television, Nicholas pursued a career as a lighting and scenic designer in numerous local and regional theaters. In 2002, after several successful years in the Los Angeles theater, Nicholas moved to New York and slowly shifted into a more technical role in the theater.

To keep his artistic side engaged he attended frequent art classes at The Art Students League, eventually becoming a member. These classes began his technical training in drawing, watercolor and sculpture.

In 2015, he joined The Fashion Institute of Technology’s Illustration Department. It was a dream to return to art full time and he quickly discovered a love of painting. With the guidance of teachers, he developed an affinity for oil painting and started to focus on this medium. Nicholas graduated Summa Cum Laude with an AAS and a BFA in Illustration and earned the Illustration Department Medal.