My Portfolio is on the Move

Coming Home

I am currently packing and planning my move back home. After 13 years of living in Auckland, I’m excited to be stepping out on my own to start a new chapter in Australia.

I’ve been a picture book illustrator since my first publication back in 2000 (winning a CBCA Notable Book in 2001). I now run a successful creative business, having taught over 60,000 students character design and picture book illustration in my online classes and courses. Here is my Nina Rycroft website, if you want to check it out.

About WINK

I am now licensing my artwork to companies under the name Wink: Designs by Nina.

My number one goal is to inspire joy and wonder with whimsical, story-led art. With a background in children’s picture book illustration, my strength is bringing story to my art with animal characters, florals, colour, line, and heartfelt imagination. 

I believe that storytelling is a fundamental part of the human experience. The stories and the characters we grew up on, helped us to understand our world and create emotional connections. At Wink, I believe that every artwork is an opportunity to spark joy, wonder, and a deep sense of connection.

My Portfolio

I welcome you and encourage you to check out my portfolio. You’ll see a series of collections that can be enjoyed by the young and young at heart.

Dandy Lions: was inspired by a memory I had as a child laying on the grass in the afternoon sun. I always imagined dandy lion flowers as mini lion characters, and so, in this collection, I’ve brought this idea to life. Make a wish, then watch the seeds dance and sail toward the blue sky. Seeds of wishes, hopes, and dreams float on the whispering winds of rainbow pastels.

Cindy’s Carousel Ride is born from a memory of my first carousel ride, I was about six years old and it was the most magical experience. As the gate opened my friends and I all ran for our favorite animal. Mine was a horse called Cindy and I remember hugging her tight around the neck and whispering in her ear to fly! I love anything nostalgic, but I wanted to put a modern Australian twist on the decorative Victorian style. So I adorned the carousel with Australian florals and wild brumby gallopers. Candy-floss-coloured detailed embellishments swirl up and down, and round and round, spinning towards the land of nod. Nina’s carousel illustration is the bases of this carnival collection.

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat was inspired by the famous poem. I actually designed this piece for a ‘Year Of Colour’ online Summit workshop that I held. I loved the two characters that I drew during the workshop and wanted to see what else I could do with them. This was my first attempt at learning how to do a repeat pattern. And by the end of it, I was hooked. I wanted to illustrate ideas from the poem itself, in a fun, loose whimsical way.

Tui Two is inspired by my backyard. I’ve lived in a treehouse (a pole house here in Auckland) that backs onto a nature reserve. Our house is literally nestled in the canopies. In the mornings, there are many times that I’ve enjoyed Tui watching. Their song is gorgeous and it is these moments I’vrcatpured in this collection. Awaken to the morning bird song. Flashes of iridescent blues and greens dart and dive with elegant precision through canopies of red, pink, and yellow blossoms.

Bush Florals is inspired by a bushwalk that I did with my family a few years ago. We did the 3-hour Spit to Many bush walk, and enjoyed a margarita at the end! Flannel flowers were out in massive numbers and I’m always captivated by the wild, bold shapes of our native florals. This collection was my way of coming home. A celebration of the unique Australian bush florals. Sunlight reaches through the line of gums, creating a bright patchwork along the path. The pungent scent of blooms fills the air. Wild, exotic shapes of sun-drenched hues pop through the cool, shadowy greens and blues.

My picture book illustration samples are in there too. I didn’t want to make them the main focus of my portfolio, so they are there to get a sense of my history and style. I was known for my watercolour, and rhythmic linework. I enjoy capturing movement, and gentle gestures with the characters that I bring to life.

I also threw in my Draw a Dog a Day, 100-Day Project because it demonstrates more than one style, and I like seeing them all together in one place.

I invite you to look through my portfolio, and if you have ANY comments or suggestions, please send them my way.

Warmest wishes,

Nina