Nel Whatmore studied at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, completing a one year foundation course in Art and Design in 1981. She then went on to study for a BA Degree at Trinity & All Saints College in Leeds from 1982-1985.

Shortly after graduating, Nel was awarded a grant from the prestigious Prince's Youth Business Trust which, in addition to funds from the Government Enterprise Allowance Scheme, allowed her to establish herself as a professional artist. Perhaps more importantly, the Trust grant gave Nel the opportunity to exhibit at the NEC's Spring and Autumn Fairs, where her talent was soon recognised by Ling Cards, the Halcyon Gallery and Washington Green. In 1990, she received further support from the Trust when she was chosen as one of only seven bursary holders to represent the organisation at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Over the years, Nel has relinquished responsibility for publishing her own work, leaving this to the companies who had courted her at the Spring and Autumn Fairs. Her designs have since been exported to galleries across the UK, US and Japan, and licensing of her work for reproduction goes all around the world.

Nel continues to hold regular exhibitions of her work for some 1500 private clients. Since joining Washington Green, 28 of her originals have been produced as lithographs and eight as limited edition slikscreens, selling out on release. A collection of her work was also recently featured in the Halcyon Gallery's 'Art in Miniature' series.