Nancy Pappas | illustrator

Thrilled to share the official cover reveal for Guesting by @gailsimmonseats — longtime Top Chef judge, author, and culinary expert. The book is all about how to be a truly great guest, and honestly, who better to write it? 🥰 I had the pleasure of working with Gail on the cover and interior illustrations. It started with reading the manuscript, then brainstorming ideas with Gail and her warm and equally kind assistant @lucywichmann , sketching, trying new things, adjusting, tinkering, noodling on all the interiors to complement her thoughtful, informative, and approachable writing — and finishing with the cover, which makes me feel like I’m stepping into a dinner party in action: plates set, gifts on the table, wine opened, candles lit. 🍷❤️ I really appreciated Gail’s trust throughout the process. We were constantly bouncing ideas off each other— she’d talk through what she was imagining and I’d often sketch it out in real time. Or I’d share batches of illustrations and, to my relief and joy, she was always so appreciative, with few adjustments or changes. And when I brought new ideas to certain areas, she welcomed them with excitement. A true collaboration. That’s the amazing thing about illustrating for authors like her: it’s never just a list of things to draw. We’re really working together to find the visuals that complement the writing and help the reader feel a part of the book. I’ve always loved books, print and paper — and I love hosting and being a guest, I love @bravotopchef This is my job! Crazy. So excited for this one to be out in the world. Published by @flatiron_books . Cover design by @laywan_kwan ! 😍 And as always thank you to my dear agent and friend @lme.in.nyc at @wolfliterary for the continual support and advocacy 💕 Preorder for Gail Simmons GUESTING is available now and as she notes: “(In case you don’t know, preorders send an important message to booksellers that people are interested in a title, resulting in more shelf space, higher rankings and greater chances for success. Your support is everything!)” 🙏🏼 #nkpcreate #guesting #flatironbooks #publishing

✨COVER REVEAL!✨The cover for @doriegreenspan ’s next book, DORIE’S ANYTIME CAKES, is here, and it’s pink which is even more perfect. 📚💕🍰 I love Dorie so much and it was a dream to collaborate and create with her. ANYTIME CAKES is filled with over 100 recipes for easy-to-make, easy-to-love cakes and will be published October 21, but it’s available for preorder! I’m a big fan of @barnesandnoble linked in my bio! Thank you team cakes! @doriegreenspan @harvestbooks  @safest  @marymdodd #nkpcreate #bookcover #bookcoverdesign #xoxodorie #bookstagram #cookbook #bakingwithdorie #foodillustrator #bundtcake #foodillustration

Happy Pub Day! 🎉📚🪴For the Love of Houseplants: Caring for & Keeping Plants with Confidence by @tannertheplanter is officially out in the world! Thank you to Tanner, @mrstannertheplanter , @laurensalkeld79 , @lme.in.nyc , @ashleighamoroso , @ justcooknyc, @_simonelement , and @simonandschuster , what an incredible team to bring this to life. I love plants, so when this project came to me I was thrilled not just to illustrate them, but to actually learn things that are keeping my home jungle thriving!! 🌿💚 Tanner is a houseplant expert and co-owner of @famousinoregon , their nursery and garden store and their family’s pride and joy. He was wonderful to work with — always upbeat, educational, humble, kind, and trusting of my work. It was also great to reconnect with Lauren, who I’ve known from the food world. The photography is gorgeous and the writing is approachable and supportive. Whether plants intimidate you or you’re a seasoned plant parent, I can’t recommend this book enough. Available now! 💚 Named @usatoday USA TODAY’s Best-selling Booklist 2026 #nkpcreate #tannertheplanter #plantcare #houseplants #houseofplantlovers

Thank you @cbyunnie (Sr. Producer extraordinaire) for having me at @taaforg — feeling so inspired and privileged to be in the same room as so many incredible Asian American legends, to meet and hear them speak. Big love to @miss_hailan for ALL you do, and thank you @banhbylauren for letting me tag along with the cool kids (aka some of the v best chefs around) and serve your delicious ass cake 💚 #nkpcreate #taaf #asianamerican #aapi #aapiheritagemonth

5h 39m. 10,498 strokes. One of my longer illustrations, I think, ever. 🥲⏱️ and one I’m most proud of for all its tedious nutty detail. For my sweet @doriegreenspan , her Caramel-Nut Chocolate Upside Down Cake— from her recent cookbook, Dorie’s ANYTIME CAKES. 🍰💕 #nkpcreate #doriegreenspan #xoxodorie #cakes #foodillustrator

Suddenly it’s May, but here’s some last bits of April 💕 every month feels so full and fast surrounded w my favorite people fr #nkpcreate #nyc

I love markets, large or small, the fresh produce, the variety, the colors, the people, here in Brooklyn to Hokkaido to Quito to Hanoi, you’ll find me in some sort of a market 🍅🍑🥬🍋🥒🍊🫐🥭 It’s Farmers Market season, print available in my shop! #nkpcreate #farmersmarket #foodart #foodillustrator #mercado

What an incredible way to kick off AANHPI Heritage Month. Thank you to everyone, all da friends, who came out to the @kimbaplab x @pearlrivermart Kimbap & Art Happy Hour! Big thank you @danahn17 for organizing the event and bringing us all together and always ALWAYS being the biggest community supporter and connector. We love you endlessly. And to the fellow vendors— it was such a joy to share space, share our work and meet some of you for the very first time! Caitlin Lam (@caitshouse ) Ben Hon (@stuffbeneats ) Nancy Pappas (@nkpcreate ) Janet Lee (@attab.oy ) Lam Vo (@lammakes ) Carolyn Yoo (@carolynyoo ) Dan Ahn (@danahn17 ) Thank you to  @theeggsuite and @teaandmilkny  for providing us extra treats! #nkpcreate #aapi #artfair #asianamerican #shoplocal

Painted some 🌸original spring-inspired watercolors🌼, which will be available at @banhbylauren (Chinatown, NYC) and @ledixsept (Potrero Hill, SF)! There will also be some this Friday, May 1st @kimbaplab AAPI Art Fair at @pearlrivermart @pearlrivermartfoods at @chelseamarketny (basement level) 5-7pm EST! 🎨 I don’t often sell my originals, so this is a special treat for all locations! Hope you enjoy 🌻🌸🌷🌼🌺 Special shoutout to @moonlynntsai and @yinchang who gifted me these @kuretakejapan Gansai Tambi Watercolors #nkpcreate #watercolor #watercolorflowers #aapi #floralart

Mother’s Day 💕 gifting starts this Friday, May 1st— come find me at @kimbaplab x Pearl River Mart at @chelseamarketny for a Kimbap & Art Happy Hour! 🎨🥢 I collaborated with my incredibly talented unnie, Jennifer L. Ban (@rice_blossoms ) on a collection inspired by Korean desserts, heritage, and what it means to lift each other up as Korean American women. 🇰🇷 We bonded over our love of Korean desserts and our shared identity as Korean American women— and channeled all of it into two new pieces that will be available FRIDAY! 🌸 tea towels featuring illustrated Rice Blossoms treats and ✨ coasters Our designs draw from the colors of 청자 (Cheongja), the geometric harmony of 구절판 (Gujeolpan), the vibrant tones of 단청 (Dancheong), and our favorite Korean desserts. 5–7PM | Free to attend Pearl River Mart Foods, Chelsea Market (Basement Level) 📸 @verosuh , produced by @carrykismet #nkpcreate #riceblossoms #koreandesserts #aapiheritagemonth

HAPPY AND HUNGRY #nkpcreate

I love the intro to @doriegreenspan ’s Matcha Latte Loaf. “Marble cakes are like snowflakes– all recognizable as members of a family, but each one different. You could try to get the same pattern every time, but the odds are against you, and besides, unpredictability is a marble cake’s constant and one of its primary delights.” The Matcha Latte Loaf was one of the many favorites I illustrated. I loved building all the layers and textures and how they were all nestled together in the shallow bowl. 💚 #nkpcreate #xoxodorie #cookbook #cakes #matcha