Nicky moved to Cornwall in 1995, opening a ceramic studio in Liskeard in 2001. She began an art and design course to support her ceramic work, and from her love of all things bovine she developed her cow portraits. These sold out when first exhibited and in 2003 Nicky decided to close the studio and concentrate on her painting.

Nicky now paints from her garden studio and exhibits locally as well as at Chase Fine Art in Wadebridge, Cornwall and St.John Street Gallery in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. In 2005 she began a BA in fine art at Plymouth College of Art and Design.