Glimpses of another world
Give a modern twist to the fantasy, romance and symbolism of Gustav Klimt and you have the work of Davina Nicholas.
Surrey-based painter Nicholas was born in the former Czechoslovakia, in Bratislava, now capital of the Slovak Republic. Flowing through the city was the same river Klimt knew in Vienna – the Danube.
Nicholas’s love of water shines through in many of her paintings. Her grandmother’s philosophical beliefs were an early influence – as was the local countryside, steeped in mythology and folklore.
Nicholas grew to love opera, enchanted by its drama and colour. She was particularly fascinated by Dvorák’s fairy tale Rusalka. Such tales of love and enchanted castles set among woodlands became an inspiration for the young artist, as she sought to capture the atmosphere of romantic summer evenings and the epic passions of legends. Nicholas’s figurative work is often full of spiritual guides, kings and queens. Love, fantasy and nature remain the major themes in this voyage of self-discovery.
The next chapter in her life began after she moved to United Kingdom in 1969. Her work appeared in local exhibitions in Croydon, Arundel and in Bromley Kent, where she was commissioned to paint a mural at the Churchill Theatre.
Before long, Hyde Park’s Sunday exhibition was a regular fixture for Nicholas. She gained many sales and commissions, including several from a senior member of the Norwegian ambassador’s staff.
Her style is contemporary and whilst predominantly painting in oils , she enjoys experimenting with mixed media. She is an incredibly positive person who takes her inspiration from the mix of cultures, colours and landscapes. An intuitive and spiritual person who seeks deeper meaning and has a real fascination for life.
She has been travelling extensively in Europe and here in the UK. She spends a lot of time studying contemporary and historical artworks while travelling. Her techniques include watercolour, pastels, oils and acrylics and her style continues to evolve. She is inspired by strong colour and contrast in her environment.
Through her paintings , she is able to explore and express her creative passion. Nicholas has a strong belief that you should retain a connection with your work, because it will encourage you to develop a stronger understanding and affiliation with yourself. She is also involved in personal development, in which transformation plays a role.
Commissions are welcome and you can specify the medium and even provide photographs to inspire the imagery. You can send these as an email attachment to anivad@nicholascr5.freeserve.co.uk
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