Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Nicolaus now resides in New Jersey. He holds a BA in Social Work and a BS in Nursing and is currently a psychiatric nurse. He has taken a few painting classes over the years but is largely self-taught. The primary mediums in which he works are acrylic and oil, favoring modern and surrealist styles. Says Nicolaus, "I've experienced many major changes in my life, and early on I realized that I have a lot of compassion for others. I paint the rough edges of life, often focusing on people in crisis."