A native of Oklahoma City, Nick Backes was a celebrated artist and illustrator whose prolific career earned national and international recognition. His talent was honored by the prestigious Society of Illustrators in New York City, where his work was selected for exhibition and included in the Society’s Thirty-First Annual of American Illustration.

Backes’s illustrations reached millions through collaborations with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including American Girl, Levi Strauss & Co., Ralph Lauren, Valentino, McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Dewar’s, Playboy Magazine, The New Yorker, and The Reader’s Digest Association. His commercial portfolio also featured work for Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Dell Publishing, Bantam Books, and Toyota Motor Corporation, among many others.

He brought his artistic vision to children’s media, advertising, publishing, and fashion, and served as a designer and illustrator for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority and Oklahoma City University. His diverse client list also included Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, Treasure Island and Casino–Las Vegas, and The Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, showcasing his wide-ranging influence across industries.

Backes’s legacy endures through the depth and diversity of his work, which continues to inspire artists and audiences alike. With an extraordinary ability to blend narrative, nuance, and bold visual
storytelling, his art remains a testament to his creative brilliance. As he is honored in this premier art show, we celebrate not only a remarkable career but a lifelong devotion to elevating the art of illustration.