Nikko Locander’s artistic journey began with a simple drawing by his mom: a little bear holding a balloon. As a kindergartner, he was amazed by her skill. He thought, “Wow, that’s my mom, and she can draw a cartoon. So, I also should be able to.”
Today, this 2011 Rauner College Prep graduate has transformed his passion for art into a successful brand, inspiring young creatives across Chicago to follow their dreams. Locander, also known by his artist moniker “Ali Six”, is a Puerto Rican contemporary artist and designer. He explores a wide variety of mediums— from murals to animation to product design. He’s been hired across the city and internationally as a muralist, sells merchandise, and does design work for organizations like Chicago Bulls and Nike, among many other things.
He got his start in graffiti, painting the streets of Chicago. But as he realized there was more to art past graffiti, he combined his skill with aerosols and his love of illustrations—creating the two signature characters that now show up frequently in his work: “Richie the Tanuki” and “King the Tiger.”
Locander's signature characters: Richie the Tanuki and King the Tiger.
Locander uses Richie to represent his teenage years and King as a symbol of power and projected maturity. The two characters have followed him into many other mediums— from murals to stop motion animation to rugs to even a children’s book he just recently released.
We caught up with Locander to hear more about how he got to where he is and what advice he might have for student artists today. Check it out:
Q: How did you first get into art?
A: My journey started when I was inspired by my mom, but my love for cartoons, like Spider-Man and Toy Story, inspired me as well. Ever since I was 5, I kept practicing and had the encouragement of my family. Even with the ugly drawings, those uplifting comments made a difference and allowed me to keep on going.
Q: How has growing up in Chicago shaped your art?
A: Growing up in Humboldt Park, I was surrounded by vibrant art and community. The city’s graffiti scene taught me the importance of passion and consistency. Watching other artists grow inspired me to stay true to my craft. Then, 10 years ago, I was working for 1st Ward Alderman Proco Joe Moreno. He was one of the first people that got me a mural {job} when I was beginning to transition out of graffiti so I could do something brighter and better for the community and myself.
Locander made this mural to showcase the importance of the Mexican export of avocados.
Q: How did you turn your passion for art into a career?
A: It’s all about consistency. I honed my skills in aerosol techniques and color theory and then built a portfolio. Then, I marketed it and had it appear often. When I first started my street work, I started doing a bunch of murals and painted the best I could. This helped me connect with galleries like Vertical Gallery to showcase my work.
I remember I passed by {Vertical} on my bike and stopped inside to talk to the owner. When I showed him my work, he actually recognized it since, at the time, I was doing repeats of my work every 4 feet. There was a group show called Deck The Halls where I made two skateboard decks that I painted and, on opening night, it sold. From there, I kept going. I would reach out to different galleries. When I finally was able to get a yes and an open date, I gave myself 3 or 4 months to work towards a gallery showing. The showing usually consists of 12 pieces that represent a theme.
I also organize pop-ups to sell my merchandise— I would find a place to rent for a weekend and work towards a date. I also sell merchandise online just so it’s available to other people not in Chicago. Then, I recently released a children’s book with another Chicago artist. If you take a look at my page, there is also an action figurine of Richie. One of my friends does 3D printing, so he created a copy for me, and I contacted a company in China to manufacture it. It’s really a matter of reaching out.
Q: Do you collaborate with other artists or communities?
A: Absolutely. I work with other street artists, galleries, and community organizations. One memorable project involved replacing graffiti with murals through a collaboration with local nonprofits. It’s fulfilling to use art to uplift neighborhoods. I can work with like-minded people who want to make a change.
Q: How can artists find those collaborations?
A: When transitioning to working with communities, you can reach out to aldermen and chamber commerces. Ask about opportunities to showcase or put on a gallery. Ask about any mural programs if that is what you are interested in. Keep an eye out for social media opportunities. A lot of nonprofits are looking to collab with artists and are willing to give you the chance. A good org that I have worked with is Somos Arte. Feel free to check them out.
Locander working on painted shop signage at a store in Tochigi, Japan.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring student artists?
A: Everything is a process. Find your rhythm, practice consistently, and connect with others who share your passion. Art is about learning and growing, and the best ideas often come from collaboration. Meeting people who are interested in art can help you grow and learn other skills. Even if you don’t learn other skills, you can always work together. Let’s say your friend knows how to sculpt and you know how to paint—your friend can sculpt what you paint, and you can paint something that they are sculpting. You can help build each other.
Q: Where do you see your art going in the future?
A: Richie has become a Chicago staple, like a local icon. So, I can see myself working with museums to preserve this icon. I also dream of creating a graphic novel and a cartoon series and even started dabbling in sculptures. Long-term, I’d love to create murals for schools. I can see myself working with big brands, such as Adidas, and creating merch. However, my priority is to make sure the collabs align with my brand and not just focus on consumerism.
Q: How do you hope your work impacts the community?
A: “I want my art to inspire people, especially kids, to see the value of creativity. It’s about showing that you can build something meaningful while giving back to your community. I want to also support those who are passionate about their art.
If you would like to check out Locander’s work, follow his Instagram, @ali_six, or check out his website.
