Nicola Young has decided to take early retirement from her role as a tutor at West College Scotland to pursue a full-time career in art.
Nicola, 55, is best-known for her landscapes and seascapes inspired by Inverclyde’s amazing scenery, and in this new showcase, she has turned her hand to creating beautiful wildflower scenes.
(Image: George Munro)
Her exhibition, Wilder, will run at Medinelli’s pop-up shop on Kempock Street in Gourock, until Sunday.
The talented artist said she’s very excited about this next stage in her life.
Nicola said: “It’s time for me to learn new things.
“I want to go back to being a student again and developing my art.
“I don’t quite know which direction I am going to go in yet.
“It’s a bit of a scary move to retire from a regular steady job that I loved but I needed to make a change.
“It’s a really exciting time.”
Nicola has exhibited in McGilp’s pop-up shop before but this time around, her distinctive rainbow stripes take art lovers into the gallery just a bit further down the road.
(Image: George Munro)
She said it has been refreshing to try out a new style – and said customers are giving her great feedback.
Nicola added: “I’m very much known for my landscape and seascape views; things that people know and love in this area.
“There are so many people who want to stay here and want to have artwork in their homes of the amazing views.
“It’s good for me to have a wee change of scene.
“People are loving the colours and the flowers and it coincides with all of the wildflowers coming out.”
Nicola says she’s enjoying the challenge of having to take her time after returning to oil painting.
She added: “I am always all about colour and I’m working with oils again which I’ve not done for a while.
“It’s a lengthier process so I have to take time and be patient.
“I love painting. I love the process and the therapy and I love experimenting.”
(Image: George Munro)
Nicola studied at Glasgow School of Art, and the College of Building and Printing, and then gained a teacher training qualification at Jordanhill.
She worked with profoundly autistic young people at a school in Glasgow before gaining an HND in supported learning at James Watt College.
For the last 25 years, Nicola has been working with young people in classes at West College Scotland who need a bit of extra support.
She also hosts an art class for Bagatelle residents every week.
Nicola had a celebration in the shop for the opening night of her exhibition and welcomed art fans, artists, and gallery owners from all over Inverclyde and beyond.
She thanked her husband Dave for his support in getting Wilder up and running.
Nicola added: “I’m having fun playing and experimenting.
“It’s been really busy and people have been saying such lovely things.”