Creative of the month: Aniek Bartels
Each month, Mimi highlights a different creative and asks them a few questions. This August, we’re putting a spotlight on illustrator extraordinaire Aniek Bartels!
Aniek Bartels is a Dutch illustrator who creates colourful, character-driven worlds filled with wonder, warmth, and playful details. Drawing inspiration from nature, emotions, and the imaginative way children experience everyday life, she makes illustrations that encourage curiosity and invite viewers to pause and look a little closer.
Her work blends hand-drawn textures, expressive characters, and vibrant compositions into visual stories that feel both joyful and heartfelt. Through children’s books, products, branding projects, and creative collaborations, Aniek explores themes of kindness, connection, and care for the natural world. Whether depicting quirky creatures, adventurous characters, or quiet moments of discovery, her illustrations aim to spark imagination and create a sense of delight.
1
If you had to start your creative journey all over again, what would be one thing you'd still do, one thing you'd avoid and one thing you didn't do that you now think would have been great to do?
Still do:
I would absolutely keep the structure I’ve built around my work. Every tool has its place in my studio, Mondays are for admin, and I always try to sneak in a short walk outside during the day. An illustrator’s work is wonderfully chaotic already, so having a little order creates the calm that makes room for the fun kind of creative chaos.
Avoid:
I’d spend a little less time doubting myself. For years I worked part-time at a design agency because it felt safe, even though I knew I wasn’t in the right place anymore and was heading towards burnout. Looking back, I wish I’d trusted myself enough to become a full-time freelance illustrator sooner. Life eventually made the decision for me when I lost my job—and strangely enough, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. That’s when everything really started to fall into place.
Didn’t do:
I’m incredibly lucky that clients often find me, but there’s a downside to that too: it’s easy to let your clients shape your direction without noticing. I do say no to projects that don’t feel like me, but I’d love to protect even more space for self-initiated projects. Sometimes the ideas you’re most excited about are the ones that end up attracting exactly the kind of work you were hoping for.
2
What is your favourite illustration you've ever done and why do you love it so much?
I think it has to be the illustrations for the Vleertje Muis books. They were my very first children’s books, and instead of giving me a finished manuscript, my publisher asked me to create the main character first and imagine what kind of stories would fit him. That made the series feel incredibly personal from the very beginning.
One of my favourite things to do as an illustrator is gently challenge people’s assumptions. Bats are often seen as spooky or unpleasant, but I loved turning one into a curious, lovable little character that children want to root for.
If a child finishes the book feeling a little differently about outsiders, the misunderstood or those who don’t quite fit in, then I’ve done my job.
3
Tell us about your dream commission. Who’s the client and what do you have to do?
I don’t dream about one particular client as much as one particular kind of project.
I’d love to create an immersive illustrated installation that children can walk through, climb on, or discover little stories within. Somewhere like the Natural History Museum in London, Kew Gardens or Naturalis would be an incredible fit, because they already spark children’s curiosity about the world around them.
If my illustrations could help create a place where children feel curious, welcome and inspired to care for both nature and each other, that would be a dream come true.
4
What's a tool you can't live without?
My mug of tea… closely followed by my gouache paints.
One keeps the illustrations going. The other keeps me going.
5
Who inspires you right now?
I’m always inspired by illustrators like Donna Wilson and Printed Peanut. They’ve built such distinctive creative worlds that extend far beyond a single product or project.
I recently visited the launch of I Will Eat You in the End by Marianna Coppo and David Duff during the Bologna Children's book fair, and it was a wonderful reminder of just how versatile illustration can be. The world from the book had been brought to life with beautiful ceramic worms, while the original illustrations were framed on the walls. It felt like stepping straight into the story.
I love seeing illustration appear in unexpected places. On textiles, ceramics, packaging, exhibitions or everyday objects. That’s one of the things I love most about this profession: illustration doesn’t have to stay on the page. The possibilities are endless.
