About me

I was educated in a convent school in the country – strict and spiritual. I sang in the choir under the inspired guidance of Sr. Miriam. Our art mistress was Ralf Feinnes’ magnificent mother!

 

Nicola 2009Thereafter I plunged into the wilderness of  London art colleges, Goldsmiths and Central School of Art and Design, to do a BA in Fine Art, Painting. My eyes were opened wide. It was the beginning of the punk era but the music of choice in our studio was Reggae.

 

I worked as an archaeological draughtswoman in North Africa, Rome and in Munich where I lived for 4 years. I also sang in a band called Coldfingers, due to the fact that we were never ready . . .

 

Then I lived at an Ayurvedic (natural Indian medicine) Ashram in India for 7 years. The focus was on spiritual development and music was used for healing by the doctor and guru, Shri Balaji Tambe. I illustrated their local magazine and started to write devotional songs.

 

I returned to London to take up portrait painting and 4 years on, won 3rd prize in the BP Portrait Awards, exhibited in the National Gallery. Started learning and singing folk music, to sing mostly unaccompanied at Cecil Sharp House.

 

After 7 years escaped the metropolis in a campervan that eventually brought me to St Ives, Cornwall. I didn’t want to paint portraits, so worked predominantly as an illustrator. I declared myself a singer/songwriter and began to perform, accompanying myself on guitar.

 

Another 7 years have passed and I have started to go to festivals and perform up-country. Am moving upcountry to be a little more centrally situated. I have another van and another plan . . .