Kevin Michael Nicolay, Renowned As A Botanical Artist And Gardener

Kevin Michael Nicolay's botanical paintings are exhibited in museums around the world, but many of the real-life models for his art still grow in his Queen Anne back yard.

Nicolay, an internationally known artist and gardener, died Sunday of complications from acquired immune deficiency syndrome. He was 33.

Nicolay's paintings, intricate depictions of plants and flowers in subtle, muted colors, have been exhibited locally at The Foster/White Gallery.

Despite AIDS, Nicolay earlier this year assembled an exhibit of the work of 15 West Coast botanical illustrators for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle.

``Even though he was very ill, (Nicolay) took time to organize the show despite the fact that it took time away from his own work,'' said Ann Lovejoy, an editor of Horticulture Magazine. ``He wanted to make sure the trend of Northwest botanical art would continue.''

But Nicolay's interest in flowers was not purely artistic. He had been an avid gardener since childhood, helping his grandmother transplant plants when he was a 4-year-old, recalled his mother, Betty Nicolay.

His Seattle garden, which features old rambler roses and beds of rare perennials, earned him a reputation in Britain and the United States, said Lovejoy, whose magazine uses Nicolay's illustrations.

Nicolay had a passion for rare plants, which he imported from around the world and then donated to nurseries after he had painted them, Lovejoy said.

An Ohio native, Nicolay started art in elementary school when he made it clear he didn't want to become an athlete, his mother said.

``I thought, `This will take the place of sports,' '' she said. ``After a few lessons, he just took off.''

Nicolay studied textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, but was mostly self-taught as an artist and a gardener.

He moved to Seattle seven years ago and taught classes at Seattle's Center for Urban Horticulture.

Nicolay is survived by his mother of Brecksville, Ohio; father, Claude Nicolay of Cleveland; brother, Kurt Nicolay of Brecksville; sister, Bethany Nicolay of Cleveland; maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Hilovsky of Elyria, Ohio; and paternal grandmother, Helen Nicolay.

A memorial service was to be held at 7 tonight at Prospect Congregational Church, 1919 E. Prospect St.

The family suggests contributions to the Northwest AIDS Foundation or the Chicken Soup Brigade, a volunteer group.