Nick's curriculum vitae reads like a romantic novel. Born into a theatrical family in London, England in 1949, he grew up in the midst of the entertainment industry. He studied at Harrow Collage of Further Education where he founded a drama society, (writing and directing three Collage Reviews). As a consultant lecturer in Make-up Techniques and Theatrical Prosthetics, he taught periodically, from 1967 to 1975, at Middlesex Polytechnic, The De Leon Drama School, The New College of Speech and Drama, Trinity Opera School, and the Drama Studio.

He started working as a movie make-up artist in 1969, but due to a savage slump in the film industry, he struggled to make a living for several years.

In 1972, he focused his attention more seriously upon his painting, when he realized that the security of teaching was no compensation for the lack of self fulfillment he was experiencing. Today, his art, (a quixotic blend of nostalgia, idealism and outright fantasy), reflects the sophisticated influences of 17 years spent as a make-up artist, prosthetics designer, and director of Special Make-up and creature effects, on movies and music videos throughout the world. His big break came in 1974 when his continued association with veteran Special Make-up designer Stuart Freeborn (right) lead to his involvement in the making of STAR WARS and the famed Cantina sequence. He assisted Stuart for 7 years, contributing to SUPERMAN I & II, and was a key collaborator in the creation of Yoda on THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK .

In 1980 he and his wife Gloria wrote the screenplay INSEMINOID (aka HORROR PLANET) for Jupiter Film Productions which was made into a feature film later that year.

In 1981, having already contributed to more than 30 movies, he won an EMMY nomination for his transformation of Anthony Hopkins, into the HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME for Columbia T.V.

From 1981-1985 he designed and directed the prosthetic, animatronics and creature effects for BRITANNIA HOSPITAL, KRULL, THE KEEP, LIFEFORCE, HIGHLANDER and DURAN DURAN's award winning video WILDBOYS. His work was featured in several CINEMAX and HBO specials, led to articles in PUNCH, PLAYBOY and numerous newspapers, won a place in THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, CINEFANTASTIQUE, and made the front cover of AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER, FANTASTIC FILMS, STARFIX and FANGORIA.

At the age of 35 Nick was at the height of his movie career. He shocked his friends and colleagues when he decided to devote more time to his paintings, traded his Ferrari for a sail boat, cruised the Caribbean for almost a year and established a base on the island of Antigua. There, he set about producing artworks which reflected the serenity of the islands and drew direct comparisons between the seductive slickness of city life and the peace of mind to be found in simple living. He combined techniques as innovative as those he had developed for the movies, aiming to convey a sense of nostalgia and illusion. The resulting works display a sensitive understanding of the human condition and a dry sense of humor.

In 1987 Nick and his wife Gloria founded the ISLAND ARTS GALLERIES specializing in Caribbean art and hand crafted artifacts and established 3 galleries in Antigua including one at his home and studio in Hodges Bay. In 1989 they organized THE ISLAND ARTS QUEST the largest Caribbean art competition to be held in 35 years.

In 1990 Nick's commissions included works of HOLLAND AMERICA's WINDSTAR ships and a nine foot work of the deluxe KRIZIA resort K CLUB (where Princess Di vacationed in 1996). Later in 1990, he was elected President of the ANTIGUA ART SOCIETY and served in this capacity until March 93.

In 1991 his one man exhibition at the prestigious SURF CLUB in Miami Beach led to invitations to exhibit in six other cities across the USA and resulted in another one man exhibition at THE SHOOTING GALLERY in New York City. That year he was also invited to participate in a group exhibition at THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM in Toronto, Canada.

In 1992 he took part in exhibitions in England and the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART in the Dominican Republic, (where he also exhibited in 1994 & 1996.)

In 1993 he was honored by having work included in UNESCO'S CARIB ART exhibition which started a 3 year world tour in 1994.

1995 Nick returned to Los Angeles, writing and directing two music videos for new recording artist TOMA. As a result, in 1996 he was awarded a Bronze medal at the 29th Annual WORLDFEST HOUSTON, the world's largest film and video festival with over 4300 entries from 38 countries.

During his time in and out of the Caribbean, Nicks keen interest in sail boat racing lead to his involvement in Antigua Sailing Week from 1986 to the present. His current boat Pumkin, (a 1975 C & C Trapper 500), was salvaged by Nick and his boat partner Doug Luery after hurricane Georges in 1998. As part of the Antigua Cruising Class National Team, Pumkin won ASW's International Team Trophy in 1999, 2000 & 2001. In 2000 Nick was elected Commodore of the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club where he often races on Saturday afternoons.

In 2003, responding to public demand for his artwork, he formed an association with Unique Galleries in Sint Maarten and established a new outlet for his vibrant works. Ar a result they have become recommended shopping on 15 cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Disney, Norwegian, Crystal, Sun, Costa, Cunard, P&O, Holland America and Carnival.

Nick's first Internet website www.CineSecrets.com was launched in July 1997. Although Nick considers it, "intrinsically an unfinished project", by early 98 the BBC had dubbed it "Best of the Web - Special Effects" and by November of that year it was receiving half a million hits a week. That success quickly spawned other Internet sites... IslandArtsAntigua.com, AntiguaToday.com and as the number of domains grew it became necessary to establish a central web hub YodaGuy.com. Now with over 20000 files online, Nick continues to pursue his keen interest in the net as a medium for original interactive art and entertainment, a medium he intends to develop whilst simultaneously continuing to produce the unique paintings and fine art reproductions which today hang in hotels, banks, corporate and private collections around the world. They have been exhibited in England, Antigua, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Haiti, Canada, the USA, Germany, Switzerland, the Dominican Republic, Curacao, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Aruba, The Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Holland and France.

If you wish to contact Nick you should do it via email.

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Eric Jurin's "Trik Toys". Stormtrooper outfits and supplies

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