Hard work and belly laughs
Introduction
My name is Nick Volkert, an artist and creative living in Northwest Chicagoland.
I'm a classically trained illustrator and painter, receiving a BFA in Illustration and an MFA in Painting from Northern Illinois University. I currently illustrate digitally, converting pen and ink illustrations to prints and tee designs.
In my off-hours I like to paint, create comics, attend way too many concerts, play drums, and, in addition I’m a diehard White Sox fan.
I have a lot of comics, illustrations and art to view, hope you find something you like!
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Christmas Designs
A selection of my most cheerful and festive designs from my portfolio! Ho ho ho!
Created: November, 2017 | Role: Illustrator
Captain Pancake is all decked out in his Santa suit to spread some Holiday Cheer!
Created: August, 2015 | Role: Illustrator
In a horrible experiment in the frigid North, peppermint was grafted to Santa Claus' bones.
Created: September, 2015 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Santa shark loves gift giving during Christmas and brings presents to all the oceanic creatures!
Pen, Ink, and Cintiq!
Illustration
I love making personal works that I use as a vehicle to explore to constantly learn the programs I use on my day to day, and push my artistic abilities.
Created: August 2nd, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Sharks love to get dressed up, deliver presents, and eat cookies when it's Christmastime as Jolly St Nick!
"Sunglasses Skater Watermelon"
Created: July 20th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
You're cool, but are you sunglasses watermelon on a skateboard cool? Maybe. I'm not that cool, that's for sure.
Created: July 20th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Skaters never die! Be sure to give a peace sign back to this one skating by!
Created: July 17th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
This apple skater is on the move much to the surprise to its little worm buddy tagging along!
Created: April 21st, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Business. All business all the time. So much business. Lots and lots of business. Don't talk to me, I'm so busy with business. BUSINESS.
Created: April 19th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Just an absolute unit of a bird. I mean look at this thing. That right there is a freakin chicken. Just a total unit.
Created: April 17th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Sharks love jellybeans on Easter and will be on the hunt for their sugary goodness.
Created: April 16th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Best be on the look out for sharks posing as goodie basket carrying bunnies, they love Easter.
Created: April 3rd, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Zombie sharks are still roaming the seas looking for BRAINS.
Join the Danger Huskie Danger Team
Danger Huskie
Vector works that a fun, cute, scary, and a bit dangerous!
Created: April 28th, 2022 | Role:
Winning ugly is still winning right? This wiener dog knows that and is repping the colors of the south siders while rocking a sweet Chicago-style hot dog costume
Created: April 26th, 2022 | Role:
Who's got the best dogs in Chicago? Well the South side does! This little green wiener dog is representing a little baseball team that wears black and white.
Created: August 3rd, 2021 | Role:
Rub a dub in the tub, it's a friendly rubber duckie here with some bubbles!
I write jokes too
Comics! (Eventually books)
I used to pay the bills as a cartoonist at the Northern Star during my Undergraduate and Graduate studies at Nothern Illinois Univeristy. I’ve always loved comics and was an illustation major to be a comics illustrator (that old cliché). Nonetheless and when the time allows, I love to write and draw works for my friends and social media followers. Big things in the works!
Mondays are the worst
Monday Comic
Just a weekly comic I started celebrating everyone's least favorite day of the week.
Created: March 16th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Early warmth has cause all the orange cones to bloom early this year.
Created: May 3rd, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Hey, remember that weekend it was 80 degrees? Remember that? And sunny? It broke the streak of 42 days without sunlight? Remember that?
"Old Man Winter's Last Hurrah"
Created: March 6th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Just one last hurrah with Old Man Winter and my dried, cracked hands.
Comics about a wonderful future gal pal
Dear Future Girlfriend
Another weekly comic that started as a series of smart-assed Facebook posts and grew into a comic!
Created: July 17th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
If it doesn't work out, we'll at least have this in common, forever.
Created: July 12th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
The mullet is back and I'm here to rock my mane.
Created: July 4th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Happy birthday America! Revamp of an old one. USA! USA! USA!
A helpful little arachnid
Helpful Spider
Always helpful!
Created: July 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Repost! Helpful Spider is here to remind you to have a happy and safe 4th of July!
Created: May 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Helpful Spider is clearing the way so you can have a nice Spring bike ride!
Created: May 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Helpful Spider is here with his Mom, and they both think you are doing a great job!