March 17, 2021

Niki Pilkington on Neon Illustration, Female Empowerment, and Mental Wellbeing in the Arts

Bryan Smith chats with

Niki Pilkington

Bryan Smith chats with Bryan Smith chats with

Niki Pilkington Niki Pilkington

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Niki Pilkington is a London-based Welsh illustrator who creates playful yet highly detailed “extra neon” fashion portraits and lifestyle art, which echo her support for Women empowerment, body positivity & mental wellbeing. Her work reflects her love of fashion & nature, as well as her respect for Welsh culture. With more than 60,000 instagram followers, a thriving online store, commission work from all over the globe, and commercial work for Nike, Google, and Facebook, Niki is a unique and sought-after talent in the art world.

niki pilkington on neon illustration

What you will learn:

Niki’s rich history of travel, from working and living in London, Paris, New York and West Los Angeles; how she has incorporated her interest in preserving the Welsh language into her art through her use of Welsh proverbs. [0:00-10:03]
How a scheduling catastrophe in college ended up being “The best thing that’s ever happened,” for Niki; the moment she realized that people in LA and throughout the world were interested in her Welsh illustrations; what it mean to her to receive so much support from the Welsh community. [10:03-16:27]
Why Niki moved from New York to LA; the differences between New York and L.A. in terms of business opportunities for artists and quality of life; why she decided to move back to the UK and how the covid lockdown changed her plans. [16:27-24:01]
How Niki attempts to create art in a sustainable manner. What being a freelance illustrator is like, from social media promotion to having an exhibition [24:01-34:35]
The importance of finding a supportive community, especially “super fans.” How Niki forms a connection with people on social media, through vulnerability and openness. [34:35-44:27]
Advice Niki has for listeners struggling with anxiety, her ways of coping, and areas that she’s still working on; how she tries to navigate social media in a mentally healthy way. [44:27-58:05]