About the artist...
Hi, I'm Nicola McLean. I'm an Irish artist living in the very far north of Scotland, surrounded by wildlife and wild weather. As a result, I live mainly in wellies and waterproof clothing and on the wettest of days I dream of an alternate life somewhere hot where I drift around like a sunshine hippy in floaty dresses and flip flops while painting en plein air.
However, as Scottish weather isn't really conducive to painting outdoors, I'm more likely to be found in my nice warm art studio while the rain batters the window.
I paint whatever pops into my head onto canvas, paper, pebbles and sea glass and I also sculpt animals from polymer clay which I then bring to life with paint.
However, as Scottish weather isn't really conducive to painting outdoors, I'm more likely to be found in my nice warm art studio while the rain batters the window.
I paint whatever pops into my head onto canvas, paper, pebbles and sea glass and I also sculpt animals from polymer clay which I then bring to life with paint.
Nine times out of ten the subject matter will be animal-related but inspiration comes from so many directions - as well as the animals we share the planet with, landscapes, both urban and natural, and even just the ordinary, everyday moments in life – all these things can spark the idea for a painting but I’ve discovered that it’s the little details like the pattern of lights reflecting on water or the abstract shapes created by sunshine glinting through the trees that really pique my interest and it’s those details that I aim to re-imagine with a vibrant palette, a vivid imagination and a dollop of whimsy.
I work predominantly in acrylics – paints, inks and spray paint because they dry quickly and give me the vibrancy that I love.
I am grateful to everyone who has invested in my art so far and am delighted that my paintings are hanging in private collections all over the UK as well as in America, Canada, Australia, China and Europe. I've also been lucky enough to win a couple of awards for my paintings over the last few years which is why I describe myself as an award winning artist (okay, it's not the Turner prize but if I don't blow my own trumpet no one else will do it for me!)
I work predominantly in acrylics – paints, inks and spray paint because they dry quickly and give me the vibrancy that I love.
I am grateful to everyone who has invested in my art so far and am delighted that my paintings are hanging in private collections all over the UK as well as in America, Canada, Australia, China and Europe. I've also been lucky enough to win a couple of awards for my paintings over the last few years which is why I describe myself as an award winning artist (okay, it's not the Turner prize but if I don't blow my own trumpet no one else will do it for me!)
The images shown on this website are the sole property of the artist (that's me!). Please respect my copyright.
