Chris Nevin is exactly the same as the likeable and goofy kid from Port Hope that I had met nearly 10 years ago when we were both lost in the limelight of Toronto’s queer club scene. I haven’t seen him much since then aside from the odd crossing of paths and maybe the short time working together some years ago serving hot plates at a restaurant in the heart of the village. The dewy glow of our twenties has arguably subsided yet our memories, ever-present, remain an intangible reminder of who we once were. Nevin has since then grown into a resourceful visual artist who keeps a humble disposition when speaking of his work.
Working with clients such as Hudson’s Bay and Holt Renfew, painting his signature style on fashion-label pieces such as Herschel and Coach, Nevin is at the forefront of filling in gaps with his unique illustrations. First introduced to Fashion Illustration while attending Ryerson University for Fashion Design, Nevin experiments with his style utilizing novel techniques within multiple mediums and is persistent to “embody every basic characteristic that an artist can embody.”
The most rewarding job of Nevin’s is Scrubs in the City, an event hosted by Holt Renfrew in collaboration with Sick Kids. “It’s very stressful because there will be 100 people in the lineup and I’m sketching which starts to feel like being a machine for 3 hours… It never feels like it at the moment when you’re sketching, because you’re focused, but as soon as you’re done it’s a weight lifted off your shoulders… it takes a lot of energy out of you when you’re on and chatting while illustrating at the same time.”
Nevin began taking his art seriously when working the floor at Holt Renfrew. After being asked to incorporate his illustration at a Christmas Event Holt’s was hosting, and working on countless other projects, he soon started receiving calls from other companies until he was eventually contacted by his agent Marcus Kan at Draw-a-Dot, an agency specializing in fashion illustration. Since then, he strongly credits the team at Holt Renfrew for catering and nurturing his artistic talents and helping him grow his skills as a fashion illustration artist.
A few years ago, before Holt Renfrew booked him, Nevin rarely, if ever, used colour and the illustrations he was creating were simple pen-to-paper illustrations. One of his first steps in elevating his style was taking Japanese painted paper to use as a background, do the sketch, and fill it with colours coordinated with the paper that he was drawing on. It made him more adventurous in incorporating more colour into his illustrations.
With a subtle blend of cubism and abstract, a lot of Nevin’s illustrations are geometric in nature and hold very little, if any, symmetry. When I question him on this, he humbly replies that it is as a result of a lack of training in portraiture and realism. He says he developed his style because he found that geometric shapes are “easier” and decided to work on his strengths rather than applying himself in a discipline that doesn’t cater to his vision.
His recent collage works incorporate many layers, starting with watercolour around the edges and working his way up with pencil crayon in scribble formation. “There’s a reason behind it”, to commands attention in a “non-conceited type of way”. He likes to juxtapose mess and craziness with balance. “It’s looking for any space that’s open – anytime I see open space I need to fill it in… for me, it’s finding a balance in that craziness”.
“Throughout my whole career as an artist, I’m very adamant to help other artists, especially if they’re just starting out”
Chris Nevin
While Nevin idolizes Donald Robertson for his simplistic balance between art and fashion, and Jamie Lee Reardin for her eerie and elongated figures, he is sharp in discovering fresh new techniques like those utilized by Roxy Van Bemmel, who creates “gritty beautiful images” incorporating pencil crayon and pastels.
Not going to an art school, Nevin greatly attributes his level of skill to other artists who are willing to help out with what materials to use and how to incorporate new techniques. “There’s so much I wouldn’t have learned if it wasn’t for other artists willing to help out… It’s all about observing other artists and trying things… incorporating other styles and techniques… adapting the things you like into your own style.”
When asked about what he would tell any new artists breaking into illustration, he says “just draw, keep doing it. If you give up or stop it will go stagnant. Art is like riding a bike or playing an instrument – if you don’t practice it it’s going to go to shit. Try new things, take risks… I can’t help but quote Miss Frizzle, ‘take chances, make mistakes, get messy’. That’s how you change and grow and develop as an artist.”
“Throughout my whole career as an artist, I’m very adamant to help other artists, especially if they’re just starting out… It can be a very territorial industry, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s great when people who work in the creative industry help others so the industry can flourish.”
As the interview came to a close, I question Nevin on how he’s coping with the pandemic and what his plans are. He’s been using the pandemic as a moment to breathe – getting outside more and enjoying nature every chance he can take while he contemplates what “success” entails for him.
He expects that in 5 years he’ll still be evolving as an artist. “Success is a journey… [and] I just like the idea of being a successful artist. That’s what my focus is on right now”. He’s also fascinated with the prospect of leaving Toronto and living in various parts of Europe, as he feels sheltered and would love to “get cultured and see the world”.
You can follow Chris Nevin on Instagram at @iamchrisnevin and visit his website at https://www.chrisnevin.com/.