We were lucky to catch up with Nathaniel Freson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Nathaniel with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I feel like my work ethic definitely comes from a mixture of my background playing sports, the passion that I have for art, and the overall mindset about creating that I developed over the years. Playing soccer at a competitive level really taught me discipline, resilience, and most importantly, the importance of putting in the work even when no one is watching. That same mentality carried over into my art as I stayed consistent, kept pushing myself to improve, and approached every project with the same level of dedication. No matter what I’m working on, I always remind myself that progress comes from the effort you put in behind the scenes, not just the final result that people see.
I also think growing up in Los Angeles played a huge role. I was surrounded by creativity everywhere, from the murals on Venice Beach, to all of the different art museums, to random people making art in every corner of the city. There was always something new to see, and that constant flow of fresh work kept me inspired. Seeing artists dedicate themselves to their craft, whether it was painting a massive wall or sketching on a sidewalk, showed me that creativity is something you can seek every single day. It is not just about waiting for inspiration to hit you, but it is about putting yourself in a position to find it. You have to show up, put in the hours, and find new things to keep you motivated, even when things get tough.
On top of that, I have honestly always been fueled by the excitement being able to bring my ideas and thoughts to life through artwork. Whether I’m illustrating a children’s book, designing a game cover, or creating a portrait of an athlete, I do everything I can to make sure that every piece to be the best that it could possibly be. That constant drive to improve and create something that resonates with people is what keeps me going to this day!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an illustrator based in Savannah, but my journey started in Los Angeles, where I grew up surrounded by sports, art, and a nonstop creative energy that shaped me into who I am today. I specialize in bringing stories to life visually, whether it’s through children’s books, game covers, or portraits of athletes and music artists. My work is all about capturing personality, emotion, and energy in a way that makes people feel connected to the art.
One of the most exciting parts of what I do is the variety. One project, I might be illustrating a heartfelt children’s book about a young hero facing health challenges, and the next, I am designing a bold, eye-catching game cover that combines dynamic character design, with vivid colors and storytelling. I have also grown to love After Effects and I love to turn my pieces into animations that the audience can view and engage with in a totally different way. I love the challenge of taking an idea, whether it is my own or someone else’s, and turning it into an artwork that can transport anyone into an imaginative world.
Recently, I finished illustrating a children’s book for the Emperium Entertainment Group that teaches kids about colors in a way that is fun and also family-oriented. Unfortunately, I cannot go into too much more detail yet, but I can confidently say that it is some of the best work that I have ever done! This is the most recent project that I completed and it should be released very soon, which is very exciting! Before that, I illustrated a heartfelt children’s book titled, Bili the Brave, created in collaboration with the American Liver Foundation. I brought this story to life to be able to offer support and encouragement to children diagnosed with Biliary Atresia and their families. I designed the main character, Bili, to represent optimism, kindness, and bravery, ensuring that kids facing medical challenges could see themselves in the story. I also put a lot of thought into the setting of the book, using warm sunlight and inviting colors to make it feel like a place of adventure and hope rather than something overwhelming. It was an incredibly meaningful project and knowing that the book is making a difference in children’s lives is something that I am really proud of. I also had the opportunity to design the cover and logo for a best-selling Amazon board game. The goal was to create something bold and eye-catching that would immediately stand out to families and young children on the shelf while also capturing the spirit of the game. This project got me to think about branding and visual storytelling in a different way, making sure the design felt inviting and exciting for the kids who would be playing the game. Seeing videos of kids having a blast playing the game and knowing my artwork contributed to its success made the experience even more rewarding. Overall, I have absolutely loved the last few projects that I have done and I cannot wait to keep creating!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I would say that the three key things that had the biggest impact on my journey as an artist were consistency, adaptability, and also being able to connect with an audience. I feel like my ability to be consistent and keep creating new work is what really allowed me to grow and blossom as an artist. From drawing NBA players in elementary and middle school to illustrating children’s books and designing game covers, I kept creating, refining my skills, and pushing my artwork out into the world without looking back. For people who are just starting their journey, my advice would be that you truly do not need to wait for the “perfect” opportunity or project to showcase your work. You do not even need to love what you have created, just keep focusing on making art and putting it up for people to see. The only way to grow is to make sure that you are always putting in the time and effort, improving with every piece, and doing this even when nobody is watching
Another thing that has been huge for me, especially as a freelance illustrator, is adaptability. I would say that most of the projects that I have done are different, whether it’s illustrating a children’s book, creating characters, or logo and packaging design for a board game. Being open to learning new techniques, working in different styles, and understanding the needs of each project’s needs has helped me take on opportunities that I would have never guessed that I would be doing. Overall, I would say that it is very important to stay open to taking on challenges, trying different mediums and techniques, and also learning other skills outside of just creating. For example, learning how to manage your projects and also how to communicate properly with your clients. The more adaptable you are, the more doors you will have the ability open.
Lastly, Understanding how to connect with my audience has been something that has really brought my work to another level. To me, art is not about making something that just looks good, it is about making feel feel something. It could be a child that can see themselves through a character in a book, a sports fan recognizing a portrait of their favorite player, or someone drawn to a board game cover because of the energy it gives off, knowing how to create that connection with the viewer is everything. It is important to make sure that you are thinking about what you can do to make the piece memorable and how it can leave a lasting impact on your audience.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, I really feel as if I have pushed myself to explore a variety of different creative projects and more opportunities than ever before. Even though I was not initially completely comfortable with some of these projects, I intentionally stepped outside of my comfort zone by taking on work that challenged the skills that I do have. This forced me to learn new techniques and think about things in ways that I have not done before. Each new project I would do revealed fresh aspects of my creative process and this helped me solidify my style, which I believe has been a huge reason that I am still flourishing as an artist.
This past year, I also took a much more proactive approach when it came to learning and engaging with other creatives in the space that I want to be in. Seeing and participating in art communities through social media is one of the main things that has really opened my eyes to new perspectives, different techniques I could bring into my own work, and the ways that creatives build their brands by engaging with their audience. I put in a lot of effort connecting with peers and people who have the jobs that I eventually want to have, which not only boosted my inspiration, but it also expanded my network in the art world.
Overall, this period of exploration has taught me that true growth happens when you push your own boundaries and welcome every opportunity to learn. By staying curious and adaptable, I’ve become more confident in my work and more prepared to tackle even greater challenges in the future. This mindset has allowed me to look at change as a good thing and I will continuously be seeking out new experiences, setting the stage for the next chapter in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artbynatie.com
- Instagram: @artbynatie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natiefreson/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
