About

A New Zealand born professional fine artist and owner of Lighthouse Gallery living in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia.

While studying a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor Of Design  at the University Of Otago in New Zealand, Nicola acquired her first taste for developing a career in the art world. She worked as a gallery assistant and framing advisor  for The Rosslyn Gallery, Dunedin, in 2007 where she also exhibited her first painting.  Clients commented on Nicola's technical skill as an emerging realism artist and the artwork was purchased. This affirmation was quite humbling and became a turning point in the realisation that potentially life as a full time artist could be possible.

"I was in my element amongst all of the wonderful pieces of New Zealand art, immersed in what I was passionate about. It was fantastic liaising with customers, fellow artists, refining sales strategies, setting up and designing exhibitions and marketing the business. Learning how the company was run was very interesting and inspiring for me. From this experience I knew I wanted the best of both worlds, to run my own successful commercial art gallery and also be a professional artist." - Nicola McLeay

Nicola grew up on a high country farm in West Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. A picturesque but very challenging environment from snow blizzards, spring blossoms and lush green hills. This lifestyle undoubtedly became the foundation of her appreciation for the beauty of nature and combined with her creative flair, encapsulates the artist you see today.

Predominantly Nicola is recognised both in Australia and New Zealand for her finely detailed landscape realism paintings. She continues to provide private collectors with her work internationally in USA, Europe, UK, and Asia.