Welcome to the underground lair of Nicholas Ivins!

  • Forever Growing CentipedesHello, and welcome to my website. My name is Nicholas Ivins and I am an award-winning artist, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Southern California. I also do comics, but don’t tell anyone. I have been creating art since before I could even form complete sentences (which I still have trouble with). I’ve been making a valiant and misguided attempt to turn it into a career ever since.

    My comic-inspired art and illustration has been featured in publications and venues all across the country. I consider myself a visual storyteller and strive to create images that are bold and arresting, yet subtle and nuanced in their exploration of ideas and issues. Through my art I want to communicate a unique and twisted perspective on the world, and whenever possible, to weird people out. I apologize in advance.

    Once you peruse this site you’ll come to realize that I’m a pretty interesting guy. Or perhaps just an extremely functional madman. But either way, you’ll get to know me a little better and see the kinds of things that I do. I’m constantly producing new work, doing events and shows, and getting into mischief, so check back often. If you’d like to buy any kick-ass art and knick-knacks, have a look at my store. Please feel free to contact me with any inquiries or questions. Whether you need an illustration for your magazine, a logo for your company, or a piece of art to hang on your wall, I’m your guy!

    Let me know what your needs are and we can talk. Or if you have anything else you’d like to say – questions, comments, etc. – I’m all ears. And a few other organs, too. That’s not a dirty joke. Just a bad one.

    Nicholas Ivins
    Nicholas Ivins

Latest News & Updates

  • Elena

    “Elena”

    I drew this back in March at the Tuscon 4th Avenue Street Fair, inspired by a music poster hanging in the window of a bar directly in front of my booth. I applied the markers a little differently than normal, using  more shades and in a more blended fashion to achieve a softer look. As is the case with the carnival posters, I did aging effects in Photoshop.

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    June 15th, 2013 | Posted in Art, Art Comments, Featured, Prints | No Comments

  • June E-Newsletter!

    June E-Newsletter!

    The June edition of my email newsletter is out, which you can read here. If you haven’t already, sign up!    

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    June 15th, 2013 | Posted in News | No Comments

  • candles_new

    All New Redesigned Candles!

    I’ve updated the look of my ever-popular religious-style candles. I wanted to push the design farther and add in some more color and visual interest. They’re more eye-catching than ever and each feature unique designs, but still sell for the same low price of $8 each (or lower if you buy more than one)! You can see them all in my candles section and at any of my events – over a dozen different designs! Check [...]

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    June 11th, 2013 | Posted in Featured, News, Store | No Comments

  • candle_faith

    “Faith” Candle

    This religious Mexican-style candle features stunning custom artwork by one Nicholas Ivins. Candle measures 8″ tall and 2.25″ wide. Wax color may differ from photo.

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    June 11th, 2013 | Posted in Candles, Day of the Dead | No Comments

  • valentina_sdfair

    Art at the San Diego County Fair Art Show

    My Day of the Dead piece “Valentina” can be found (and bought!) among the many works of local art at the San Diego County Fair art show, from June 8th to July 4th! I will also have a couple pieces up at the Orange County Fair art show coming up, so stay tuned!

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    June 11th, 2013 | Posted in News | No Comments

  • willie

    Willie Nelson’s 80th Birthday – Dallas Morning News Illustration

    This was from a little while ago, but the Dallas Morning News used my portrait of Willie Nelson in a spread for his 80th birthday, alongside dozens of other artistic renditions. Cool stuff!

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    May 27th, 2013 | Posted in News | No Comments

  • It Happened in Space

    “It Happened in Space”

    It happened in space. It must have. She certainly wasn’t like this when she left the warm, glittering blanket of Earth’s atmosphere. The coldness of space now permeated every atom of her being; it was as if they had become one. The throbbing silence of the infinite void sang to her, echoing and mournful. This place, cold and brutal, was her home now. It had become her mother. But what now? There were no Standard [...]

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    May 27th, 2013 | Posted in Art, Art Comments, Featured, Prints | No Comments

  • candle_luna

    “Luna” Candle

    This religious Mexican-style candle features stunning custom artwork by one Nicholas Ivins. Candle measures 8″ tall and 2.25″ wide. Wax color may differ from photo.

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    May 23rd, 2013 | Posted in Candles, Day of the Dead | No Comments

  • Faith

    “Faith”

    People often ask what “message” a particular piece of mine is attempting to communicate. At the risk of destroying what little mystique I possess, I will confess that often my images mean nothing! That’s oversimplifying it a bit. I would estimate that about half of the art that I do has some sort of concrete story or theme that I am trying to communicate. But the rest of the pieces exist simply as (hopefully) cool-looking [...]

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    May 22nd, 2013 | Posted in Art, Art Comments, Featured, Prints | No Comments

  • May E-Newsletter!

    May E-Newsletter!

    The May edition of my email newsletter is out, which you can read here. If you haven’t already, sign up!    

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    May 16th, 2013 | Posted in News | No Comments