Focusing on children’s book illustration, Carolyn Nikolai developed her own distinctive style.
Upon graduation, she received the Clark Book Award – presented for outstanding achievement – from fellow alumni Brenda Clark, author of the Franklin the Turtle series. She has also been recognized by Applied Arts Magazine for her illustration work.
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14462799_1261587263899686_2425933461533630681_n.jpg?oh=adc0e0cb7ba2139618fdbc6009286337&oe=58B075BA)
Her passion for horses has long since been a driving force behind her art. Going full circle, back to her love of drawing animals as a child, Carolyn added custom pony and puppy portraits to her repertoire. Working exclusively with acrylic paint, Carolyn strives to capture each animal’s essence through intricate and precise detail. A native Montrealer, Carolyn attended Sheridan College in Toronto where she studied illustration. She currently resides in Ottawa and competes on the provincial circuit.
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12342587_1060464147345333_4763605012599080787_n.jpg?oh=7f1afc0507fdb089e7c552731de91581&oe=58C756C7)
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/10960222_898321010226315_4074661454479620688_o.jpg)
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10734282_820025764722507_5259484023531050501_n.jpg?oh=893723221a18b71ef55a860f788d6c19&oe=58F54794)
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12246767_1056436951081386_4633873751487983066_n.jpg?oh=bb23bc847bc6bfe3b6dfe067f0a897a2&oe=58C32125)
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/11043445_910454379012978_5900058119536802434_o.jpg)
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11693809_979767085415040_7946429224170571767_n.jpg?oh=d3f8dac1487d64a505b6c955f167702e&oe=58B3FA26)
![Carolyn Nikolai ,Animal Portraits & Illustrations #art people](https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11960097_1015084088550006_5847444631217564410_n.jpg?oh=67fe5aa5b1fd6ab01674f5b47ca424da&oe=58C612B8)