It was difficult not to geek out while sitting in Nick Rivers’ studio. It wasn’t just the action figures, “Ghost In Shell” playing on mute, the art on the walls, and the work on the desk. It was the creative energy of his home studio, kinetic yet calm. The irony of his namesake, “Rivers,” isn’t lost on me, smooth in one moment, a rush of creative energy in the next. Owner and operator of Black River Studio, he sat at his desk clutching a pen in his hand.
“My patience comes from my dad. A lifelong comic book fan, he’d come home with a stack of comics every Wednesday, and my brothers and I would read them. I learned one day that people were behind these—writers, artists, colorists—which inspired me to make my own. I would draw them and take them to Kinko’s and Office Max to print and staple them together.”
His work surrounded him—paintings he’d done in his teens, at art school, images of his professional and commercial work cycled on his computer screen. At the forefront of his gaze, photos of his family and small, vital keepsakes acquired at comic-cons and gifts from friends.
“Black River Studio’s designs strive to have maximum visual impact," the illustrator said. "By focusing on that, the collaboration of the client and the artist will create a product both parties can be happy with. From murals to children’s books, we believe you have to enjoy what you’re creating if you want others to enjoy it as well.”
We leafed through previous works, a comic book titled “Tyrannosaurus Hex,” which Rivers wrote, drew, and did everything but, as in his Kinko's days, staple the book together, as well as a copy of “Omaha Comix Anthology” that he was in, and a collection of portfolios.
“Your art style is learning how to identify and manage your mistakes," Rivers reflected. "It’s not about how long it takes, it’s about your patience. When working on something for yourself or the client, you have to challenge yourself—challenges keep you hungry.”
His fiancée, Chyna, popped into his studio. Not feigning embarrassment, she greeted me, checked in with Rivers, and exited the room.
“When I'm not sure about a hand or another design element, I check with her and she usually sets me straight by telling me that a pinky doesn’t bend that way or push me to try that cross hatching technique I’ve been wanting to try," he shared admiringly. "I’m grateful for her.” He insisted that we have an earlier interview so they could go on a date. Take notes, men.
Rivers shares with me a preview of a video he’s about to post on his Youtube channel, “Art of Nick Rivers.” A time lapse piece, he narrates how he came to create the character and how technically he constructs the composition using pencil or as it’s called now, “traditional,” to draw an original character of his named “Dig.” The artist’s speech is similar to his pen work: slow, methodical, his words and his art both imbued with intention.
“My hands come from my mom," Rivers said. "She crocheted closets full of blankets and rooms full of stuffed animals, characters, and creatures, which is why when I have a pen in my hand, it feels like home.”
The pen he’s clutching and twirling has not satiated his hunger for drawing. The man has a date. I scooped my phone, notebook, and pen off his desk. We finish the interview while slowly walking to his front door. I asked him what his dream projects would be.
“I love to do album covers—doing musically-inspired art is a love of mine," Rivers said. "The musician can bring in sketches or have me listen to the album and give me free rein, whatever. That kind of work would go to the top of my list.”
One of the couple's two cats cycles in between my legs, slowing my exit. Rivers tells me the other one is hiding. His focused daydream stare is familiar, the artist probably drawing in his mind. Yet his faint, powerful smile shows he’s remembered not to let the things he wants get in the way of the things he has. Chyna comes into the living room to say good-bye. I do my best Columbo and turn before opening the door to ask the artist one last question.
“I want myself and the client to feel how I felt on those Wednesdays when my dad brought comics home—that excitement to crack it open and engage with art and people,” he smiled.
To learn more, follow @artofnickrivers on Instagram and Art of Nick Rivers on Facebook and YouTube.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
