Whimsical figures
7/31/2024
Take a stroll in the Beaverdale area and admire the huge mural off Beaver Avenue. On the concrete wall of the newly opened Basic Bird restaurant, discover a cast of cartoon-type characters eating tasty food from bowls. Artist Nic Roth is the artist behind the whimsical figures.
Roth completed the mural in May. Throughout the process, onlookers followed his progress. When the lights were installed for the final showing, he witnessed a car nearly getting in an accident.
“They were rubbernecking to look at the mural,” he recalls. “People loved it. It brought a lot of life to the neighborhood and improves the environment.”
Roth gained inspiration early on by viewing cartoon characters such as Garfield, Calvin and Hobbes and Hello Kitty. He was a big fan of children’s books, including favorites by Shel Silverstein.
In fourth grade, he liked sketching characters, and he sold his first commissioned piece of Garfield and Tweety Bird. The next year, he submitted artwork to Disney, suggesting that he draw for them.
In seventh grade, a teacher recognized his talents and encouraged him to take drawing instead of photography like the rest of the students. At age 18, he created a character named “Lumpkin.”
“I grew up liking Hello Kitty and Pokémon. I love squishy, cute stuff,” he says.
He graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with an illustration degree after nixing the idea of becoming a doctor. After college, he created illustrations for Cricket Magazine, a kids monthly publication. On each back cover, he illustrated the monthly theme, such as a rainforest or a search and find puzzle.
“It was a big moment to have my work in a national magazine,” he reflects.
Since then, he has painted other murals and wrote and illustrated a book, “Coco Wants a Burger.” He read the book to students during an assembly.
“I’ve always wanted to get kids inspired and show them that they can write or illustrate a book, too,” he says.
He says the most challenging part about his career is “imposter syndrome.” He has learned to reject comparison and not give up.
“It’s sometimes tough to believe in yourself. In the middle of a process, it doesn’t look good,” he says. “I wonder if it will ever turn out in the end. There’s no audience clapping when you finish a piece.”
To banish self-doubt, he has relied on help from his parents, who have been supportive from day one. He also cites a mentor, local artist Jimmy Navarro.
“He’s an MCAD grad, and we keep each other excited about art.”
Today, Roth has a literary agent who is supportive. He’s working on a book and other illustrations. Whatever he does — whether it’s a favorite cozy kitty, “street” food, soup kitties or a mural — he’s all about creating joy in his and his viewer’s life and making others smile when they see his characters.
“It’s a breath of fresh air in the day. I’m pursuing what I love. It puts a smile on my face, and it makes people happy,” Roth says. “It’s a dream come true.” ♦
