February 2026 Featured Artist: Christopher Roberts of Christopher N. Roberts Illustration
Little Button Craft would like to welcome our featured artist for February 2026, Christopher Roberts of Christopher N. Roberts Illustration!
Christopher N. Roberts is a Rochester-based whimsical natural science illustrator working in pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, and digital media. His playful art features animals, insects, botanicals, landscapes, and iconic landmarks, created to spark joy and a sense of wonder.
An interview with Christopher
How long have you been making art?
I’ve been drawing since I was a small kid. My dad nearly worked at Disney, so art was very much a gift passed down to me. We made papier-mâché masks together that won prizes. I almost went professional in the late ’90s/early 2000s, but moved into internet advertising and drifted away from art for a while. I started drawing on my iPad on planes about 8 years ago. I studied Natural Science Illustration at RISD for a couple of years and left advertising this summer to pursue art more seriously.
What inspires you?
I’m drawn to positive energy, nature, and beauty. I love collaborating with others—sharing ideas and making them better together. I’m inspired by masters of any craft; I acknowledge their skill, often publicly, and use it as motivation to improve my own work in a healthy, constructive way.
Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve made? What is it?
I have a few pieces that I feel good about in retrospect. For whimsical natural science, I like the composition and execution of Dragonfly’s Garden as a painting, and to the Bass & Lure for its unfettered pen-and-ink energy and two-way perspective. For pure natural science, I’d point to my African monarch. Honorable mentions go to the double onions, cardinals, and the zinnia study.
Who are artists that influence you?
I was influenced early on by children’s books and comic artists such as R. Crumb, Gary Larson, Sergio Aragonés, Dr. Seuss, Jim Henson, Maurice Sendak, Charles Schulz, Edward Gorey, Marvel comic artists, Eastman & Laird (TMNT) and Beatrix Potter. Aside: There was a black and white comic and zine ink show in Paris last summer I went bonkers over. I’m also a Deadhead and love the poster art that emerged from the 1960s, rooted in artists like Alphonse Mucha and Arts and Crafts–style inlays. Also, I follow dozens of natural science artists, including Robert Bateman, Zoe Keller, and several RISD professors such as Carol Schwartz and Kate Samworth.
Where can we find your artwork?
ChristopherNRoberts.com, my etsy store and at select local retails like LBC
What is one thing you wish you knew when you were a new artist?
Get better at painting and dip ink. It's the real deal!
Any events coming up?
Yes, I'll be a valentines event in Fairport (TBD), at Artisan Works for Self Care Soiree Feb 21 & 22nd and probably a couple ROC night markets in the mix. More events in March and beyond.
Christopher will be hosting a pop up shop at Little Button Craft on Saturday, February 7th from 12:30-4:30.
Stop by and see what Christopher has been working on and take some of his art home for yourself!