My Story
Nicola Riley is a traditional and mixed-media artist who creates a sense of comfort and wonder for children. Inspired by beloved children’s book illustrators Eric Carle and Ezra Jack Keats, she blends colored pencil, watercolor, charcoal, and paint sticks to draw viewers into dreamlike imagery. Her work balances tactile textures and luminous color, inviting young imaginations to explore gentle narratives and whimsical scenes. Through layered mark-making and soft, familiar forms, Riley aims to evoke the warmth of bedtime stories and the curiosity of early discovery, making each piece both soothing and subtly adventurous.
Art has been a constant presence in Nicola’s life, shaping her from elementary school classrooms to her adult studio. A lifelong love of animation, anime, and storytelling informs everything she creates, guiding her toward the worlds and characters that populate her children’s books. Her illustrations aim to capture the spirit, curiosity, and quiet magic of childhood—inviting young readers to explore, imagine, and feel that same sense of wonder.
