Nat Ellis is a French/English illustrator based in England. As a cat lover, her work reflects her passion for these furry creatures we love so much.
Nat uses bold colors and simple shapes to make her digital illustrations clean and modern. Cats’ personalities and quirks are captured in her illustrations with humor and warmth that will quickly put a smile on your face.
We asked Nat a few questions about her private life and work, and about her lifelong relationship with cats. Luckily, she agreed to share her story, including a piece of advice for aspiring illustrators. Read the full interview, enjoy the illustrations, and get a coupon for Nat Ellis’s illustrations!
How did you get started as an illustrator?
“I always dreamed of being an artist. I spent my childhood drawing, painting, and making works of art that I curated into mini-art shows for my family. While I knew I wanted to make things, I didn’t really know how to turn my love of art into a career. This was until I had my son in 2008. The cute and colorful patterns on his clothes and the beautiful illustrations in his picture books inspired me. In 2016, I returned to university to study illustration, graduating in 2019.”
Cats play a big part in your art. Tell us about your relationship with them.
“Since I can remember, I have always loved cats and went out of my way to be around them (I still do). I got my first cat when I was 14, something I had been begging my parents for since I was a young child. Her name was Minette, and she was a beautiful (and sassy) black rescue cat. She was the most adored creature, and she knew it! Minette came into my life at a difficult stage of my life; my parents’ relationship was breaking down and I was suffering from a long-term illness (which I still suffer from). Minette was my rock throughout this; her playful outbursts cheered me up and she was always by my side.”
“When I had my son, I knew I wanted him to experience the amazing relationship you can have with a cat. We got Sky, another black rescue cat, who my son adores.”
Where does your special interest in cats come from?
I have always preferred drawing animals rather than people or still life. Throughout my degree, I created illustrations of hundreds of different animals (I still draw a huge variety of creatures, especially in my freelance work and even the odd human.) But cats will always be my favorite to create. They are of course very cute; but they are also funny, loyal, and fiercely independent (even if they can barely look after themselves). I have learned so much as a human from cats too; even if they love us, they don’t feel the pressure to change themselves to make others happy and they are amazing at self-care.”
How did you start sharing your illustrations online?
“I started sharing my illustrations on Instagram and have been so amazed by the response. Not only do I feel like I am part of a lovely, cat-loving community, but I have been able to set up my little business, selling my artwork worldwide to both independent customers and stockists.”
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
“My advice to aspiring illustrators is to never give up on your dreams. If you love drawing, keep practicing and never stop learning. There are so many resources available online and in libraries, so take advantage of them. And don’t be afraid to share your work with the world. The Internet is an excellent way to connect with other artists and potential clients.”
Do you like what you do?
“I feel very lucky and thankful to do what I do. I love waking up every day knowing I get to create illustrations that will hopefully make someone smile.”
To see more of Nat’s work, visit her website.
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