He matriculated at Progress College, Rosebank, with distinction in Art, and attended after hour art classes at Frank Joubert Art School in Newlands, Cape Town. A keen desire to pursue traditional painting led him to enroll at The Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. Early in 2010 Nicholas decided to take 12 months leave from Florence to study at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Art in Russia
. After returning to Florence Nicholas was awarded a teaching scholarship during the final year of his studies. Nicholas graduated from the Academy in June 2012. Nicholas uses traditional materials and mainly paints in oil. Nicholas has embraced the principles and philosophy of realism taught by the Florence Academy although the influence of his time in Russia can be seen in his work. Nicholas has exhibited at:
The Commune of Artists in St Petersburg, Russia, 2010
The Haas gallery, Cape Town, 2011
The Florence Academy of Art 6th Alumni exhibition, 2012
The Manley Wine Lodge, Tulbagh Spring Art Festival, 2012
Simonstown Community Hall, Simonstown, 2012
Became a member of South African Society of Artists (SASA), 2013
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, 2013
