Born in London, Nicholas Rainey grew up in rural Hampshire. He returned to London to study Industrial Design (Engineering) at the Central School of Art and Design before gaining a Masters degree in Product Design at the Royal College of Art. There he won the Melchett travelling scholarship.
He spent 18 years in design, joining two London consultancies before co-founding his own practice. He was one of the youngest designers to be awarded a Society of Artists and Designers Design Award in 1979, and later received a Designers and Art Directors Association award in 1988.
In the mid 90's he made a complete change and moved his young family to the Cotswolds. He maintained his creative, prototyping and problem solving skills in a different way by running a small business, and developed experience in building restoration and improvement.
Always thinking in 3D he has recently returned to working more creatively with his hands. A skill that has never left him, he has turned his talent to figurative sculpture.
His first figure in bronze was selected for the Royal West of England Academy Open Autumn Exhibition in 2010.
He exhibited at the Winchcombe Music and Arts Festival sculpture show 2011 and at a joint exhibition at the Gardens Gallery Cheltenham 2011.