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!
Breaking the water surface to say hey
Sharks in Water
You didn't know this, but sharks love a lot of widely celebrated holidays and things. Check em out in this series below.
Created: February 21st, 2019 | Role: Illustrator
This shark may have broken the surface a BIT too far inland. Just a bit.
Created: December, 2013 | Role: Illustrator
Hockey Shark just popping up for a quick game.
Created: December, 2013 | Role: Illustrator
Fact: Some sharks really like SNL's 'Celebrity Jeopardy'.
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!
Reading, it's for your eyeballs!
Related Blogs
Tips, tricks, work stories, short stories, and random musings.
Created: January 16th, 2021
A few tips for JR UX Designers out there looking to gain more skills and be a more proficient UX Designer
Created: January 2nd, 2021
It's cold, miserable, the roads are dangerous, so it's time to get creative while you're huddled up in your warm home.
"Welcome to the new nickvolkert.com"
Created: October 12th, 2020
A two year effort crafting, JSON, SASS, REACT and CDNs finally live!