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!
Getting real spooky up in here
Halloween Designs
A selection of my most frightful designs from over the years. Pen, ink and a little bit of spooky!
Created: September, 2018 | Role: Illustrator
Captain Pancake is in the Halloween spirit!
Created: October 13th, 2018 | Role: Illustrator
Pieces of various delicious pastries brought back to life!
Bawk B'gaw!
Chickens
Flightless Midwest poultry having a really weird day.
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 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.
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: September 24th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Solos, mad steady beats, The Pumpkin Drummer has your back to keep the spooky tunes moving along in perfect time!
Created: September 17th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY. Are you ready for some gritty four-wheel monster truck action then the NEW chicken monster truck is ready and rearing to get down and dirty in the MUD. Who needs a whole seat when you only need the EDGE.
Created: September 9th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Hey-hey, what do you say? It's a Chicago-style hot dog catching some of that windy-city wind and going for a cruise on it's skateboard to check out the Chicago skyline!
Created: September 1st, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Mrs Claus Shark is a mean mean cookie baking machine and a great host in the waters of the North Pole.
Created: August 21st, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Shark love to destroy any snowmen that might end up in the ocean and assume their jolly identities!
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!
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.
"Retreat to Hoodie Season (Fall Edition)"
Created: September 5th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Fall update of my retreat to hoodies comic earlier this year. Huzzah!
Created: September 5th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Oh, you all saw Top Gun this Summer too? Sweet, me too.
Created: March 16th, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Early warmth has cause all the orange cones to bloom early this year.
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: August 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Helpful Spider is can't believe it's August already either! In any case he's manning your back to school list and making sure you have all your supplies!
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!
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!