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!
Love is in the air
Valentines Day Designs
Just some sweet, love-filled designs for all the couples out there!
Created: February, 2015 | Role: Illustrator
Cupid Sharks are just here to spread some loving! (And also probably eat you).
Created: February 5th, 2019 | Role: Illustrator
Captain Pancake is ready to fill someone's heart with love as Cupid Cakes!
Created: February, 2015 | Role: Illustrator
Fact: Sharks love Valentine's Day.
From Ireland with LOVE
St Patrick's Day Designs
Just a few designs filled with the luck of the Irish!
Created: March 14th, 2019 | Role: Illustrator
Captain Pancake is in his green gear for St Patrick's Day!
Created: May, 2015 | Role: Illustrator
Beware: Sharks are now guarding pots of gold under rainbows.
Created: April 10th, 2020 | Role: Illustrator
St Pat's came and went, but the sharks still celebrated the hell out of it.
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 29th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Sharks are not real nuts about going back to school, but they do love taking a bite out of their school supplies!
Created: September 27th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Captain Pancake was once an awkward little dude too! Here he is with braces and book bag, ready to go back to school just like you!
Created: August 27th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
FACT: Sharks like to bust out their scarves and mittens and have pumpkin spice lattes during decorative gourd season.
Created: August 26th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
The shark requests coffee with its bounty of donuts, thanks. THANKS.
Created: August 24th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Best not bother a shark when it's enjoying a box of donuts.
Created: March 25th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Just a little dachshund doggo to bring you luck!
Created: March 24th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Hailing from Aurora, IL, the 'City of Lights'.
Created: March 23rd, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Captain Pancake is at the end of the rainbow with a little luck and gold!
"St Patrick's Day Chicago Dog"
Created: March 16th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
A little Chicago, a little dog, a little green.
Join the Danger Huskie Danger Team
Danger Huskie
Vector works that a fun, cute, scary, and a bit dangerous!
Created: August 3rd, 2021 | Role:
Rub a dub in the tub, it's a friendly rubber duckie here with some bubbles!
Created: August 3rd, 2021 | Role:
The Varsity Pumpkin is using the cover of clouds to come and getcha!
Created: July 22nd, 2021 | Role:
Some cool aviator shades on this Chicago Dog just like Da Coach!
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: January 3rd, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
Out having some bday cake with my fellow cold weather creatures.
Created: January 1st, 2022 | Role: Illustrator
It's time to bundle up a hoodie and vanish til the Spring.
Created: December 27th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Nothing like following the holiday with THUNDER and LIGHTNING.
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: January 13th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
It also makes your machine run hot.
Created: January 11th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Unsure of what 2022 has in store, we send our own brand of ninja turtle to scope it out.
Created: December 28th, 2021 | Role: Illustrator
A girl knows how to make a White Elephant party a real treat.
A helpful little arachnid
Helpful Spider
Always helpful!
Created: December 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Helpful Spider is getting supplies together for whatever goes down in '22!
Created: November 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Helpful Spider is keeping watch so no other spiders or critters get into your place for the Winter!
"St Patrick's Day Helpful Spider"
Created: March 2021 | Role: Illustrator
Helpful Spider is bringing you luck! Happy St Patrick’s Day!
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!