Nicole Vanston began making artwork in high school by taking general art classes and ceramics to learn the fundamentals of light, value, and shape. Her signature subject matter is dragons, dragon worlds, and dinosaurs that she depicts through paintings, fiber art, and walking sticks. She takes inspiration from her self-led study through books, movies, life experiences, and her imagination. Her biggest influence is her Nana who was a painter and left Nicole with sketchbooks and pieces of art.