Ilidia Nicholas launched her illustration business less than a year ago. Already, her vibrant, nature-themed prints are showing up in downtown Olympia shops and at festivals across the Puget Sound region.
Nicholas, a self-described "tired mom, fueled by coffee," runs Ilidia Illustrated from the Olympia area, creating hand-drawn artwork inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Strawberries, mushrooms, wildflowers and tomatoes fill her designs, and her hand-illustrated map of Olympia has become one of her signature pieces, according to a profile in The JOLT News published Aug. 7.
"Mostly nature," Nicholas told The JOLT, describing her inspiration. "I love strawberries, tomatoes, flowers, mushrooms, and things I see here in the Pacific Northwest. It is all fresh and fun, like who doesn't love strawberries?"
Her work is carried at Ossa Skinworks, the skincare shop at 109 Capitol Way N in downtown Olympia, and she sells online through her website, ilidia-illustrated.com. She's open for licensing, wholesale and commissions.
Building a business from scratch
Nicholas told The JOLT she'd thought about turning art into a career for a long time before taking the leap in 2025. She described herself as "a very shy, introverted person" who decided one day to jump in, partly so her two homeschooled children could watch her try. She pushed back against the idea that art can't be a real career, saying she wants to show her kids that going after what you want matters more than what other people say.
The growth has come fast.
In under a year, Nicholas has built a social media following on Instagram as @ilidia_illustrated, landed retail placement at Ossa Skinworks and begun vending at regional festivals.
Art club and community ties
Nicholas also runs an informal art club with a group of women artists. The group sets themed challenges, like "Draw the Farmers Market," and members share advice and encouragement. She publishes a monthly newsletter called "Sweet Notes" that includes a free printable coloring page and shop updates.
@ossaskinworks: "We are lucky to have you in our community 🌸🧡✨"
The downtown Olympia skincare shop posted that comment on Nicholas's Instagram after the JOLT profile went live.
A difficult month
Nicholas shared on Instagram on Aug. 2 that she was traveling to New York State following the death of her father. Her husband and best friend staffed her booth at the Puget Sound Book Festival in Bremerton on Sunday, Aug. 9, in her absence.
She wrote that she hopes to return to Washington "in a few weeks" and find a new normal for herself and her art. No specific next local appearance has been announced.
