To Make the World Smile

Ida & Ink is a London-based arts and crafts studio dedicated to celebrating the joy and wonder in everyday moments. With a heartfelt love of storytelling, craft, and a touch of playful charm, each bespoke Ida & Ink creation is designed with one simple purpose: to make the world smile. Inspired by Ida, our beloved hedgehog muse, we’re reminded every day to seek magic in the ordinary and share it with the world!

Meet The Artist

Dr. Nina Van Volkinburg

Nina Van Volkinburg, also known as Dr. Nina, is the founder and artist behind Ida & Ink.

An Austrian-American artist, writer, and academic based in West London, Dr. Nina’s colourful world is filled with lovable characters, anthropomorphic humor, and charming tails tales. Drawing inspiration from her favourite writers including A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter, and Otfried Preußler, her childhood spent exploring the Alps, and her love of creatures big and small, her whimsical stories and art aim to celebrate kindness, connection, and the magic found in everyday moments.

As a former founder of a fashion upcycling startup, the principle of “the more you know, the more you care” continues to shape her practice — encouraging empathy and care for one another, as well as the world around us.

Additionally, Dr. Nina is a Course Leader at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She holds a PgCert in Academic Practice in Art, Design, and Communication and is deeply committed to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. She is passionate about empowering the next generation of creatives and has been featured in Vogue, ELLE, BBC News, The Guardian, among others, for her contributions to fashion and sustainability.

Recent Reviews

  • We could not be more thrilled with Nina’s portrait of our pug, Tank. Tank has a big personality and unique facial expressions, which Nina was able to capture seemingly perfectly. We will cherish this portrait of the most important member of our family forever!

    Jennifer (USA)

  • The portrait I received of our beloved Cavapoo Ziggy really captured his cheeky and endearing personality! The painting was precise yet playful, and we really enjoyed sending it out as part of our Christmas greetings to friends and family. I will certainly be commissioning another sometime!

    Alex (Italy)

  • The painting I received of Vino was PERFECT! I love the playful and fun style of the painting then being able to customise the design for the holidays was amazing. I will be using my Vino holiday card for years to come! Highly recommend to everyone 💕

    Helaina (Italy)