What brought you to illustration?
I have been drawing most of my life, and storytelling has always been important to me creatively. Growing up I liked making stop motion animated movies, as well as painting landscapes. This led me to an interest in animation, and I went on to study visual development for animation at SCAD. However, once I started working in that field I found that it really wasn’t for me. I didn’t like making art that no one ever saw, and I felt like a factory worker on an assembly line rather than an artist. It was around 2021 that I started working with children’s books, where I was free to draw as I liked and to tell my own stories. Since then, I have been having lots of fun!
"The Visit"
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I wake up at 6am and exercise for an hour and then eat breakfast while catching up on the news. I start working at 8am. From 8am to 12pm I work on personal projects, usually practicing in my sketchbook or recording art videos for my youtube channel. From 12-1 I eat lunch, and then from 1pm-6pm I work on client work. If I need to, I will use my personal work time in the morning for client work. After dinner I try to relax, but far too often I give in and start working again.
Illustration from "Evidence!", written by Deborah Hopkinson, published by Penguin Random House, 2024
Are there any illustrators that influenced you?
I would name Alan Lee, Beatrix Potter, Brian Froud, Zdzislaw Beksinski, Hieronymus Bosch, and Hayao Miyazaki as my favorite artists.
What was your very first illustration?
When I was little I used to illustrate my own “books” with crayon and markers, they have since been lost, but I think that is where it all began.
"Ships in the Sky"
What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas from?
I would say much of my inspiration comes from my childhood. My father ran a small airport, so I would spend all my summer and winter vacations shadowing him. I was always around airplanes, pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, etc. So naturally I have formed a love for aviation and it’s very visible in my work. Alternatively, my mother had a small farm, so when I wasn’t at the airport I was helping take care of goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and horses. With that came an appreciation for nature. Today, I try to get my inspiration from daily life or from traveling.
"Sea Monsters"
Do you have a favourite illustrator/artist/author?
I am a big Jules Verne fan, and I would love to illustrate one of his stories.
Do you like listening to music or audio books while working or do you prefer silence?
I like to listen to audiobooks and film scores while I work, my current favorite is Howard Shore’s work on the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, also a big fan of Joe Hisaishi, Max Richter, and John Powell. I also like to listen to live planespotting videos, the sounds of planes taking off with the air traffic control chatter in the background is very relaxing to me.
Illustration from "Evidence!", written by Deborah Hopkinson, published by Penguin Random House, 2024
Do you have a favourite place to work?
My studio! I work in a shed that I have converted into an art studio. It has lots of shelves and a large wrap around desk. It is full of reference books and antiques I have collected. It is truly my favorite place and where I can go to relax.
Is there a particular story you would love to illustrate?
I have always wanted to illustrate a Jules Verne book, especially 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
What was your favourite illustration you have made so far?
Thats a hard one! I think this one is my favorite (airship cutaway), because I had such a fun time working on it, and it was a chance to geek out and design my own fantasy aircraft.
What can you be found doing when your are not illustrating?
I love jigsaw puzzles! I find them very relaxing, especially with a snack and a good audiobook. I also enjoy collecting antiques, particularly anything to do with airship history. I can also be found hiking, reading, and visiting museums.
"Studio Helpers"
What makes illustration special to you?
For me the best part of being an illustrator is when a parent tells me how much their child loves reading the books I’ve illustrated.
As a children’s book illustrator I have the honor of contributing to many childhoods, and if I can provide any amount of happiness I consider my mission accomplished.
What makes a good illustrator?
I think it’s important for illustrators to incorporate their interests into their work, and not just try to draw what they think publishers will like. Whether it’s history, zoology, or something else really specific, artwork will always look better when there is a personal passion woven in. A good illustrator doesn’t just learn from other artists, they borrow from their own life experiences.
In progress illustration from "Megabeasts", a graphic novel Nik has been illustrating in 2024, written by @gideo_ and set to release in early 2026 with @clarionbooks
Do you struggle sometimes? Do you have to motivate yourself, and if so, what helps? Is there a kind of "illustrator’s block?”
Absolutely, I am the biggest critic of my own work, and I am rarely ever satisfied with it. I also get restless and I don’t like doing the same thing for long, I like to experiment and try new things. So when I have projects that require a lot of repetition it can be quite difficult. For me, it helps to have personal projects that I can turn to when I need a change of pace. I think it’s also important to take breaks and pace myself. I always set a quota for the day, once I reach it, I stop working and focus on other things to prevent burnout.