After studying art at Winchester School of Art Nicola won an Arts Council Scholarship to study at the British School at Rome in 1995. Two years later Senator George Mitchell unveiled her portrait of Bill Clinton in honour of his commitment to the Northern Ireland peace process.
In 1998 Nicola presented 'Wild Irish Colt' to the Queen at a reception for the arts at Windsor Castle. Shortly afterwards she opened a gallery and studio in Holywood, Co Down, Northern Ireland where in 1999 she presented Dr Mo Mowlam with her portrait. That year Nicola became the first artist to exhibit in the windows of Brown Thomas, Ireland's ambassadorial department store in Grafton Street, Dublin and was also resident artist at Mount Stewart, Co Down. In 2000 Nicola was resident artist at Powerscourt Estate, Co Wicklow and in the same year her painting 'Arkle' was unveiled at Farmleigh, the Irish State Guest House in Pheonix Park, Dublin.

In June 2003 she moved to new premises in Belfast's Queen Street. The studio was officially opened with an exhibition entitled 'Sea of Moyle' by Patrick Casement, Chairman of the National Trust and was attended by the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin. Nicola's horse paintings have been revered at exhibitions at the Dublin Horse Show in 2006 and 2007. In November 2007 Nicola's portrait of Baroness May Blood MBE was unveiled by Senator George Mitchell, Chancellor of Queen's and which now hangs in the University's Great Hall.

In 2007 the artist was diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent surgery and extensive treatment and has since made a full recovery.

The Big Horse Painting is Nicola's most ambitious project to date. This involved painting Ireland's favourite race horse - Istabraq on a massive 10ft by 13ft canvas. In Spring 2009 she launched a campaign with the Irish Field, Horse Racing Ireland and The Irish Times to find the nation's favourite race horse of the last 25 years. It was unveiled on Tuesday 3 May, 2011 in the parade ring at the Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival, County Kildare by JP McManus and Istabraq. Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Charlie Swan were also there for the historic event.