He is definitely making a name for himself with his iconic tattoo style illustration work.  There’s an increasing number of people out there with his designs tattooed on them as Rik creates custom tattoo designs. There’s a range of prints, cards and tattoo flash in his store.

Rik is represented by the fabulous Jacky Winter and you can see his profile here. Check out more of Rik’s illustrations, on his website or blog.

How have you got to where you are today?

I studied graphic design at university. It bummed me out, so I decided to focus on illustration as that’s what love doing. I stayed in design school and produced an illustration folio.

I got a lot of grief from my lecturers who were annoyed at me for drawing everything (including all the typography). However, I graduated with a folio that I was proud of – and that no design company wanted anything to do with!

So I kept drawing, picked up some freelance gigs and continue to do what I love doing for a living and never had to type-set a shitty catalogue in my life.

In a few words, describe yourself…

Animated, exciteable, anxious, confused… indecisive.

What are you spending your time on at the moment?

I’m currently busy illustrating a bunch of tattoo commissions, 6 new T-shirt designs for Swedish label The T-shirt Store, and an illustration for the 2012 Design Files Calender.

I’m always trying to continue producing personal art works too.

Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?

 I drink a lot of coffee.

What or who inspires you?

Oh man, so many things inspire me. I never really know where to begin with this question.

What are you most proud of?

Making a living doing what I love, is something I’m proud of.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

So many things! Originally I wanted to be a garbage man. Then later I wanted to be an astronaut and later still a pro skateboarder.

I always loved drawing though, and thought that maybe I’d become an artist.