Meet the illustrator whose designs are showcasing Southport in a unique way

Nicola Robson, a new freelance illustrator, has been receiving a lot of attention in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group after posting a beautiful piece of artwork of the Bijou Cinema on Post Office Avenue in Southport.

The 30-year-old artist moved to Southport a year ago from Exeter with her husband and has already fallen in love with the town.

The couple always wanted to move up north, but when Nicola’s mum moved here and they came to visit, they knew it was the right place for them.

Nicola said: “When we came to visit my mum we loved it. It felt like home. 

“The community is so friendly and helps each other. I have never felt more connected to people I don’t know.

“We’ve found it so peaceful and calm too, even just walking to the shops.”

The Bijou Cinema was one of the first places in Southport Nicola came across before she moved.

She followed their Instagram page and thought the place was cool.

She said: “I particularly liked the magical fairy lights down the alleyway at the entrance.

“I thought it was cool when I followed their page and saw they showed all films from old, independent to new ones.”

The cinema artwork was one of Nicolas’s first-ever illustrations of a building. It took her around a day to complete due to all the small details.

When she shared the final version online, she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the positive feedback from everyone.

She said: “I had lots of likes and comments on my post. It’s a fun place and holds lots of memories for people.”

Nicola uses her iPad to create her illustrations, using software such as Procreate and Adobe.

She has been ‘drawing all her life’. Now, having previously completed a bachelor’s in Graphic Design, she has gone ‘full circle’ back to illustration, creating bright and comic-looking designs.

Nicola is just kick-starting her freelance career and is reaching out to local businesses or connections who need posters or artwork for events.

Her most recent illustration of Southport is The Atkinson Clock Tower though she has a long list of other landmarks in the town to complete.

She has recently set up an Etsy to share her designs and has prints of the Bijou Cinema on order.

Nicola wanted to add a thank you to everyone who has requested commissions since her Facebook post.

You can see her other artwork in her portfolio here.

You can look at her prints on Etsy here.