Let me tell you a little bit about this truly renaissance creative adventurer, and how this multifaceted explosion of creativity came to be who she is today…

The Early Arty Years…

I was born and raised in Devon, England (daughter to a carpenter and a dressmaker, which probably explains a lot!) I was shy, not one of the cool kids, but I absolutely excelled in the arts. I spent most of my free time filling sketchbooks, decorating a little wooden studio I’d claimed in the forest, and singing to myself. My first art exhibition was in St Petersburg, Russia, at just 17, part of a cultural arts exchange. Not bad for a quiet girl from Devon!

From the age of 15 I had my heart set on Falmouth College of Arts. It was beautiful, it was one of the best in the UK, and I just knew it was where I was meant to study. My first application was rejected, I needed a Foundation Course first, so off I went to Somerset College of Arts and Technology. I didn’t set the world alight academically that year, but the universe had other plans: I met Ant, a wonderful creative soul who would eventually become my life partner.

Second time around, Falmouth said yes. I moved to Cornwall and lived a gloriously sea-soaked art student life, leading bands, winning my first karaoke competition (collecting my winnings from the Mayor of Falmouth, no less!), and spending summers as my joiner father’s Carpenter’s Assistant to help fund it all. Three years later, I graduated with a B.A. (Hons) in Illustration. First dream: fulfilled.

Sydney, Adventure and a Whole New Way of Thinking

After graduating I worked as a part-time Art Teacher, managed a small gallery, sang in more bands, and saved up enough to fly to Sydney, Australia, to study for a diploma in Events Management, Production, Music and Leadership at Hillsong College. It was the adventure of a lifetime.

In Sydney I sang in ensembles, created and exhibited artwork, and gained serious experience in large-scale events. In my second year I led a team dressing a 3,000-seat auditorium every week for major productions. One of my absolute highlights? Lead singing in a function band aboard Sydney Glass Island as it sailed around Sydney Harbour at night. Extraordinary.

Those years transformed me. Hillsong grew my confidence and ignited a passion for personal growth and development that burns just as brightly today.

The Corporate Detour (Yes, really!)

Returning to the UK, I started out illustrating children’s books for a group project sold in Marks & Spencer. That was lovely! Then life took a sharp left turn and I entered the rather more stressful world of corporate work.

For four years I ran a property management centre of over 400 properties for a national company, was awarded Property Manager of the Year, and rose quickly through the ranks to become a consultant helping build a new computer management system as the company went international. I was capable, I was recognised, and my heart was absolutely not in it. So I looked for a way out.

The Musical years

The way out came via music. I threw myself into the local live music scene, learned to play guitar properly, and started performing at open mic nights. It was a brilliant distraction from a job I increasingly hated. My friend Lee and I formed a duo: Lee ‘n’ Loy, and took to busking the streets of Oxford. The crowds that gathered around me when I played, they told me everything I needed to know: I had what it took.

I was making more in a lunchtime busking session than in a full day at my desk. So I quit the 9-to-5 and became a full-time solo singer and entertainer.

In time I became something of a local celebrity appearing regularly on local radio, writing a column for the Oxford Mail, guest performing, and even taking part in the Strictly Oxford ballroom dancing challenge. Meanwhile, I was diving deep into metaphysics (what a game changer), learning about the human psyche through my then-boyfriend’s psychotherapy training, and receiving coaching from the Tony Robbins team. Life shifted up several gears.

Musically, I formed a band, played countless gigs and festivals, completed a 52-week songwriting challenge, got signed, and recorded an album. I co-wrote for a nationwide Saatchi & Saatchi ad campaign, my award-winning music video was chosen by the BBC for their Music Video Festival, and I reached the final of the UK Songwriting Contest. I went on to support Westlife’s Shane Filan on his 10-date UK tour, and in 2017 completed a 32-date tour supporting Sam Bailey in major venues and concert halls across the country. My back catalogue spans two albums, two EPs, and a live album.

As one reviewer put it: “Her songs are shaped by both pain and joy; there is a hopefulness and inspiration pervading these tracks… which will move and motivate every listener to follow their dreams.”

The Wandering Years…

Successful in my career, but not happy at home, I ended my long term relationship and rather than sit with the uncertainty, I did something a little bold — I built myself a campervan! A self-built tour bus called Luna Van Blanc. The Van Life movement was just beginning, and off I went: 37,000 miles in the first years, gigging and touring around the UK and Europe, documenting it all in a YouTube series as “The gutsy girl who turned her back on heartache and went off in search of her new happy place.”

Spoiler: That happy place turned out to be a garage in West Sussex, run by my old art college friend Ant, who was building his dream, a VW restoration company called Kustom Revival. I stayed to help him grow it.

A painful parting from my record label, the global pandemic, and a long recovery from a broken leg (thanks, roller skating) all contributed to a natural pivot, away from the music industry and deeper into creative arts, personal development and wellbeing.

During those years I built custom van interiors for clients, and I built Gladys — a beautiful artist studio inside a converted library bus, filled with original paintings, upcycled furniture, and handcrafted pieces. Gladys hosts workshops, community arts events, and festival appearances.

Where I am now…

I live in West Sussex, and between roller skating and cold-water sea swimming, I work as a Creative Consultant sharing my very particular, very multifaceted set of skills and experiences with people who want to bring their own creative visions to life.

I’m creating new collections of artwork, running arts events, workshops and circles, and writing a book — The Book of Magical Manifestations — about how art journalling can help you design the life you truly want to live.

It’s been the most creative and adventurous of lives. I feel like I’ve lived several in this one. And that’s given me a unique perspective and skill set that I love putting to work for other people.

If I can help you make a change, live a dream, or create something wonderful, drop me a message below.

Love,

Contact Nikki:

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