Nic deGroot - Bio / Cv

Nic deGroot
bio/cv

Nic deGroot has been drawing for as long as he can remember. His first exposure to fine art was in classes offered by the Art Gallery of Ontario. These included drawing, painting, print-making and sculpture. He also took art classes throughout public and high school, attending extra curricular courses from the Board of Education including photography and special effects make-up. After highschool, he attended the Adult Art Centre at Central Technical School. A 3 year full-time curriculum comprehensively covering all aspects of fine and graphic arts.

Nic has lived in downtown Toronto for most of his life, sharing the last 12 years with his partner Jen. His first full-time job was with Loomis and Toles art supply store where he conducted demonstrations of various art techniques and taught classes. In 1998 he began work as a graphic designer with the Incredible Clothing Company where he specialized in screen printing. During his time there he devised a printing technique called "index plus K" which allowed bright colours to be printed vividly on black fabric. His most recent in-house design job was with Randy River where he worked for 4 1/2 years. He has been freelancing since.

Graphic Art Skills

Excellent knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator graphic design, print preparation and screen print separation

Graphic designs for t-shirt screen prints, in-store and POP signage, and technical garment sketches

Designs for logos and branding, stickers and web graphics

Computer page setting of flyers, posters, advertisements and catalogues

Illustrations in pencil, ink, conte, pastel, watercolour or acrylic in various styles

Painting, figurative or abstract, mural to miniature, faux finishes and traditional techniques

Knowledge of other traditional arts: sculpture, engraving and etching, photography, ceramics etc.

Employment History

In-House Graphic Design:
Randy River, Division of International Clothiers
Jan. 2002 - Aug. 2006
Create graphics for garment labelling, embroidery, and screen-printing
Develop branding for R2, Randy Girl, Fair Weather, Fiorucci, Mecca, Isaac Mizrahi and other INC lines
Design in-store and exterior signage and point of purchase displays
Photograph product and models
Design print ads for national and local newspapers and magazines
Design in-house product knowledge material, press-kits and flyers
Draw technical garment illustrations for garment development
Saldebus Lounge Clothing Inc.
July 2001 - Dec. 2001
Create and develop graphics for "Modrobes" lounge wear and supervise sampling
Assist in garment development especially regarding print and embroidery
Develop image and branding for Modrobes girl's clothing line
Create seasonal product line sheets, sales team CDs, gift certificates, special event and sale signs
Design web graphics for online store, marketing and promo packages
Incredible Clothing Co.
Oct. 1998 - July 2001
Design screens for: The Bay, Dillards, DKNY, J.C. Penny, Calvin Klein, R2, Nike, Walmart, Zellers etc.
Create designs appropriate for ages ranging from infant to adult of both sexes
Separate art for textile screen printing
Develop print techniques for high density inks, 4 colour process on darks, faux process colour and tie-dye
Dunedain MultiMedia
Nov. 1995 – Feb. 1996
Illustrate comic-style characters for animated CDRom
Freelance Design:
La Chance
Apr. 2008
Design t-shirt logo for 20th anniversary of clothing design company
KC's Hats
Jan. 2008
Digital illustration of hat store
The Collector Connection Inc. (www.collector-connection.com)
Oct. 2007
Design 6 sock monkey designs
The Fire Alchemist.com (www.thefirealchemist.com)
Dec. 2006 - Jan. 2007
Develop characters, web art and branding for online videogame and anime website
Selsi Sea Rocks (www.selsisearocks.com)
Nov. 2006 - present
Develop branding and label packaging for gourmet and luxury spa salts
Ory No'Man
Oct. 2006
Develop graphic logo for folk musician
Joe Fresh Clothing
Oct. 2006
Develop label packaging for intimate apparel
Evren (Rap/Musical Artist)
May 2001 – Aug. 2003
Design logo/branding for Artist, tattoo & other promotional projects
Create illustrations and art for CD project and website
RhymeStone (funk-fusion band)
May 1998 – Dec. 2000
Design promo Flyers for concerts & events
DJ Chocolate (jungle DJ)
Aug. 1998
Design promo Graphic for her sets @ 52 inc.
The Innis Herald (UofT paper)
Nov. 1995
Re-Design the Title Banner
Intro Magazine
Aug. 1995
Design & develop fashion & editorial illustrations for premier issue
New Penny Helpmates
June 1995
Develop a promotional mail flyer
Retail Sales:
Selsi Sea Rocks
Jan. 2007 - present
Sales and customer service
Designing displays, demo samples and signage
Loomis and Toles Art Supplies
July 1996 - Aug. 1998
Sales, customer service, stock shipping and receiving
Designing displays, demo samples and signage
Teaching workshops - FIMO and Cartooning for Kids
Demonstrate products and techniques in-store, at community events and trade shows
Art Commisions
2007 Kong, painting for Nell Atkinson
2003 Amato, portrait painting for Walter Cerneka of Amato's Pizza
2001 Galactic, interior wall mural for Joel Horkoff
1998 Vines, interior wall mural for Lauren Spears
1997 Sedona, 2 4x6ft landscape paintings for Queen West bar
1984 House of Dreams, painting for Fred Finkleburg
Group Exhibitions
2007 The Art Centre Year End Art Show, The Art Centre, CTS, Toronto
2007 3rd Year Adult Art Centre Graduating Class Exhibition, Arcadia Gallery, Toronto
2007 A Printmaking Exhibition, Central Gallery & Archives, CTS, Toronto
2007 3D Directions, Central Gallery & Archives, CTS, Toronto
Education
Adult Art Centre, Central Technical School
1993-1995 2006-2007
Winner of the Barbara Camm Scholarship Award