Clay Hickson
Illustrator · Publisher · Designer · Founder
3 articles · Sep 2025 — Jan 2026
Quotes
“The sketchbook is an illustrator’s best friend.”
Articles & interviews
- The sketchbook is an illustrator’s best friend: Clay Hickson on why drafting and practice are key
It's Nice That · Jan 7, 2026
The article covers illustrator and designer Clay Hickson’s talk at Nicer Tuesdays in Los Angeles, where he discussed the importance of sketchbooks, drafting, and practice in his creative process. Hickson, co-publisher of Caboose Books, emphasized how maintaining a 'self-reference library' supports his professional work and creative exploration.
Caboose Booksillustration - "Get Tickets for LA's First Nicer Tuesdays Event: Creative Talks & Inspiration"
It's Nice That · Oct 16, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the first-ever Nicer Tuesdays event in Los Angeles, featuring talks from Mouthwash Studio, Clay Hickson, James Junk, and Thalía Gochez. The event will explore creative processes across design, illustration, and photography, with Dropbox as the event partner. Hosted by Elizabeth Goodspeed, the evening aims to inspire the LA creative community through candid discussions and showcases of artistic practice.
Mouthwash StudioNike RunningAirevent - Honoring Nathaniel Russell's Illustrated Work in The Smudge
It's Nice That · Sep 25, 2025
The article reflects on Nathaniel Russell’s illustrated column series 'It’s Natural' for the independent magazine The Smudge, now collected in a new book published by Clay Hickson and Liana Jegers. The feature highlights Russell’s minimalist, tri-colour illustrations that blend humor, nature, and abstract thought, celebrating the spirit of underground press culture. It also explores how creative constraints shaped his storytelling and visual style.
The Smudgeeditorial