A student of Frank Reaugh, Alexandre Hogue, and Frank Klepper, Nichols began exhibiting in 1931. In his late career, he returned to painting still lifes in a photo-realistic style. These two landscapes were clearly painted while working with Reaugh. Lloyd Goff, Josephine Oliver, and Nichols often used a vertical format for their pastels executed under the watchful eye of the Texas master. In fact, the pastel with the doorway may depict Reaugh's Ironshed Studio door. The blue mountain in the background of the landscape with a trail may indicate a West Texas locale.