RIK LEE: ICONIC ILLUSTRATED PORTRAITS
Rik Lee works and lives in Melbourne, Australia. His iconic tattoo-style illustrated portraits have caught the attention of such clients as Nylon, Vodaphone, Vice and Stussy. As well as having his own clothing label, Nightcall, his designs are an increasing addition to flesh with people permanently marking their love of his work on skin.
How did you get started in art and illustration?
I’ve loved drawing since I was a little kid. After graduating high school I studied graphic design. I learnt a lot of things while studying design, including that I didn’t like it much. My real passion was, and always had been, drawing. I decided to stay in design school, but focus on my illustration. Many of the lecturers gave me grief for this, annoyed at me for drawing absolutely everything, including all the typography. However, I managed to graduate, and do so with a folio I was proud of and that no design company wanted anything to do with! So I kept drawing, submitted works to a few magazines I liked, got lucky, and after a while had a few regular illustration gigs. Over time I accumulated enough freelance jobs to make a decent living doing what I loved. And that’s what i’ve been doing ever since.
When did you realise you could make a career out of art?
It wasn’t so much a realisation as a reality that just happened. I guess I always wanted to make a living through my art, but I had no real game plan to do so. It just sort of happened organically over time. I wasn’t much good at making money any other way. I quit or got fired from all my other jobs. So really, I had to make art work for me. Fortunately it did.
Can you tell us a bit about your clothing label Nightcall?
My good friend Alex Vargas and I started Nightcall in December of 2012. A clothing label is something i’ve been wanting do to for some time. I’ve been designing artwork for loads of other clothing labels for years and had lots of people inquire about purchasing my illustrations on t-shirts, clothing and accessories. It just made sense to try to do something myself. Although, I totally underestimated how difficult it would be.
Alex and I met three years ago, while he was sourcing artists for another label he was collaborating with. His fashion background and my art experience, seemed like a great combo to get our own clothing company happening. It’s taking longer then i’d like. We have a very limited budget (read, zero) and our time is also limited as we’re both busy with our current jobs to pay rent and fund Nightcall. However, we’ve produced a small range of clothing we’re happy with and that has been very well received. We have some rad stuff in the works too! My girlfriend, who happens to be a fashion designer, is helping out and we’re making some stuff that i’m super excited about.
How many people do you think are walking around with your work tattooed on them?
I have no idea, but it’s a lot. I get sent a few pictures almost everyday from people with my works tattooed. It’s crazy. I even see people walking down the street with my stuff tattooed on them. Such a weird feeling.
What inspires you to keep going and how do you keep yourself motivated?
Drawing is just what I do. I love it, so inspiration and motivation come easily. And on those slow days, there’s always coffee. Coffee is good.
What is your favourite piece of artwork that you’ve created?
I don’t have a particular favourite. I like different pieces for different reasons. It may be because I’m happy with the design technically, it may be because I made the piece at a fun time and it evokes good memories or it may just be because I think the girl I drew is super cute, haha.
