Lola ‘shocked’ by art prize win

YOUNG Brora artist Lola Nicol is celebrating after winning a major award.

The 25-year-old scooped the Best New Artist or Designer category in the 2012 Scottish Variety Awards.

Lola, who specialises in painting celebrities using acrylic on wood, was at the award ceremony in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Glasgow, on Saturday night to pick up her prize.

Now back home at Seaview, Doll, she said it was a tense wait as her category was not announced until three hours into the evening.

"I was shocked when my name was called out.

I genuinely could not believe it," she said.

Lola does not know who nominated her for the award but she was one of five contenders.

A limited edition print of Muhammed Ali which she donated to a charity auction on the night raised £750.

All the money raised is going to Yorkhill Hospital, national charity Debra, which supports individuals and families affected by the skin disease Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and

Capital FM’s nominated charity Help A Capital Child.

Lola showcases her work through her own website as well as on social media sites such as Facebook.

She says: "The business is going really well. I’ve got a few pieces going into a couple of shops and I have some commissions in the bag so things are pretty busy," she said.