Kia ora, I’m Nik Williams — an artist and full-time teacher based in Tauranga, New Zealand. Originally from the south coast of England, I spent over 20 years teaching there before making the move across the world with my Kiwi wife, Melissa, and our two daughters, Zara and Bella. We’ve called Tauranga home for the past six years, and I currently teach at Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School, where I have the privilege of nurturing young creative minds every day
My Story.
The tools behind the texture
Creative Artist:
“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” Vincent van Gogh
I create my landscape paintings using an unconventional tool — old credit cards. Instead of traditional brushes, I use the edges of the cards to drag, scrape, and layer paint across the surface. It’s a technique that gives my work a raw, textured energy and allows me to capture the movement and unpredictability of the natural world.
What I love about this method is the freedom it offers. I’m not focused on fine detail — I’m chasing mood, rhythm, and atmosphere. The cards let me work quickly and intuitively, building up layers that reflect the ever-changing nature of the landscapes I’m inspired by.
For me, painting this way is just as much about the process as it is the final piece. It’s a bit messy, a bit unpredictable — and that’s exactly why I keep coming back to it.
