Willy Nicholls was born and raised in the surf rich region of Mt Maunganui in NZ, moved to the Gold Coast when he was 21 and has worked for Mt Woodgee as their surfboard artist ever since – a 27-year career-span during which he has sprayed more than 13,000 unique designs.

He’s forged an impressive career in an unlikely niche but outside of work he accepts commissions from private clients, producing unique, one of a kind canvas and street art.

Willy first used an airbrush at age 17, inspired by an early mentor Dave Warrener, who Willy reckons was as good as Martyn Worthington, considered by many as the father of Australian surf art.

“For most of my life I’ve tried to be as good as Dave, he not only inspired me to make a career of art, he encouraged me to be a student of the craft, and strive to be versatile across all media – airbrush, paint brush, pencil and stencil”. His all time favourite artists include; Salvador Dali, da Vinci, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquait.