The Nichols' son Mather died in 1922 of typhoid, which led them to move to Kent, Connecticut, where they were among the founding members of another artist colony.

[12] Asia held a significant interest to Nichols and he spent several years studying in Japan, China and a bit of Persia prior to a 1920 exhibit in the Madison Gallery.

[13] This exhibit has the only mention of a sculpture by Nichols "A carved plaster panel is finely coloured and has much the same decorative quality as his paintings" according to American Art News.

The Hall, which portrays a figure of a graceful woman an opalescent night light, is notable for the original motif and personal expression.

The Pearl is imaginative, veiled in atmospheric, mysterious charm; The Mystery of India shows knowledge of the subject; Autumn Gold, presents a sweet-f aced girl, surrounded by rich Autumn foliage, a canvas handled with a reserve of color that blends harmoniously with the delicate beauty of the flesh.

[1] Much of his early work was destroyed in a fire in 1932 which Nichols documented through a painting "Rising Star" depicting himself and his wife amidst the ashes of their home.

In addition to the enormous personal and financial loss all of the paintings, artworks and his home and studio in the fire, documentation of his early works and patrons was also lost.

Out of financial necessity, in 1934, he became Director of Art at Marot Junior College in Thompson, Connecticut, a position he held until the school closed in 1941.