Nicole Lathouse Gilbert

I was born in 1968. I grew up in Hawaii, and Southern California  with my parents
and 3 brothers. We all moved to Atlanta in 1987, and are all still here!

I have always loved animals, the beach, drawing, and pretty much anything cute. When I was very young living in Hawaii, I used to dress big bull-frogs in baby clothes and ride them around in my baby buggy!

As far back as I remember, I loved to draw and paint.... I graduated from the Art Insitute of Atlanta, and thought my degree in Visual Communications would lead me to the advertising field in New York or Los Angeles . Instead, my first art job landed me in the middle of nowhere, Indiana! It was a good practical experience. I learned a great deal about textile art and design- and also met some really wonderful people.

After two years living in Indiana, I moved back to Atlanta, and went to work as an artist for a very large baby clothing company. During my 5 years there, I gained more valuable training in textile design. I learned how important the quality of the fabric is to a mother, and how soft cotton feels to baby. I participated in focus groups and learned how not just children, but also adults respond to art. While working there, I drew several lines that were much more sophisticated and unique. From that, I learned that more sophisticated art is not only more appealing, it sells better than some of the simplified character styles that permeate the market!

In 1998, I left that job and went out to paint murals and focus more on larger scale art. I have had the opportunity to paint some amazing projects in some of the most beautiful homes in Atlanta! ( I still enjoy doing some of the large scale art for a few clients- that I now consider friends.) All the while, whimsical little children’s characters danced in my head. In fact, the first character- the basis for the entire line- was doodled on the wall of a house while I was there painting a mural.

My husband convinced me that I should pursue the children’s art - and start the baby clothing company that I had talked about for 2 years! So, - with a doodle of that bug in 2004, t-o-o-o cute! baby inc. was born! I have developed a full character line- which folks identify with- and get a chuckle from! I have so many more ideas and designs in my head, I can’t wait to add them to the collection.

Although there are many challenges and it is a bit scary, I really enjoy creating the characters, and the company! I hope that when you look at my art, I am able to give you a smile and even a giggle! Enjoy!