I'm Nicole. I came on the Houston art scene, via art cars, in 1991 after meeting Bryan Taylor. Before that my sock drawer was in order, my files were straight and I hung out at the mall and in night clubs. Basically, he saved me from a life I didn't know I needed saving from! I am a native Houstonian - born, raised and have lived here my whole life. I hadn't seen much of it till Bryan came along. He is certainly the George Bailey (It's a Wonderful Life) of Houston!
I created The Cat's Meow in 1994. She was my first art car, all hand painted my me and my Mother, Patty Eppes. I worked on The Symbolic Garden, Debbi Macuipa's art truck in the mid 90's, painting vines and leaves with a group of awesome women. Jeffery Jerome, The Memorial Pig Car, was created in the 90's as well with Bryan Taylor. I was on the Orange Show's Houston Art Car Parade Recruitment Committee in 1991, 1992, chaired it in 1993 and 1994, then chaired the Parade itself in 1995 and 1996.
www.OrangeShow.org Somewhere in there I took on the task of being the Treasurer of the Houston Art Car Klub! Basically we pass the hat and I hold the money. ;)
www.houstonartcarklub.com I got married the first time in 1996 and played for a while, creating
some of the other art you see here on these pages. As far as art cars go, I think creating one is part meditation and part therapy. It's certainly a lot of work and a love for the genre. I am a daily driver. I haven't owned a car used as a daily mode of transportation that isn't an art car since 1994. Twinkle Twinkle Little Car came along for me in 2001. I'd been wanting to make another art car but I wanted something more 3d this time. In 2005 my new hubby and I created the Black Widow. In 2007 I created my most recent daily driver, Shattered Vanity. I am a motorcycle rider as well. I ride a 2000 BMW R1200C. All of these things can be found on the pages of this site.
The most important turning point in my life came from art cars. Art cars have changed my life.... or I changed my life by deciding to take on the art car lifestyle . Regardless, it's been a great ride. I've met many people who make art cars too. I've watched other people's lives change from making an art car and embracing the life and the awesome, unusual and unique people that are involved in it. I was quoted in a newspaper as saying, "Sane people leave us alone cuz they think we're crazy, and crazy people leave us alone cuz they think we're one of them." Maybe that's true, I'm not sure. What I do know is that it's what we do in life that makes life extraordinary.
I can't believe I'll be 47 this year. It's gone by so fast! When I was a child thinking about being a grown up, I never envisioned the life I've lead. That's a good thing. It sure would have spoiled the surprise! Certainly being in the medical field, seeing injured and ill people all day long has contributed to my need for the escape you see on these pages. It sure beats just bitchin' about everything, doncha think? Feel free to email me, I'd love to hear from you. 
