For those who do care about what's happening in the world, but who sometimes need an #Uplift: bsky.app/profile/debb... Hand-curated by yours truly. Criteria unapologetically subjective, but esp: word nerds • acts of kindness • crafty • obscure interest deep-dives • alt-text

New stuff and a little detail. But I need a break from #kidlit and the #querytrenches. I’ll fill up my portfolio with new stuff in 2026, but I want to focus on making beautiful art for interested buyers. It’s been quite a handful of years and a breather will be nice 😌 #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard

Happy Halloween 💀🎃🐈‍⬛ #illustration #kidlitart #halloween #cat #gif

My whole heart goes out to anyone who is putting *their whole heart* into making things that matter to them and trying with all their might to share those things with other people. Expressing the truth is worthy fight. The true value gain is knowledge of self. This too is an act of resistance.

It’s Halloween week! Do you have your costume yet? This year I’m a grey Victorian ghost 👻 #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #watercolor #halloween #graveyard

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m looking for rep as an author/illustrator and have a stack of projects to share! Www.shawnazilla.com

Your random Junji Ito update. Such a mind for horror--where the most intimate, personal, and vulnerable clashes with the bizarre. #ito #junjiito Thanks @shawnazilla.bsky.social!

An “Extraordinary Assault” on Free Speech: FCC Threats Mark a “Dark New Level of Capitulation” and Escalation of Government-Instigated Censorship Over Jimmy Kimmel, PEN America Warns pen.org/press-releas... #FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment

I heard today was #grandparentsday! I lost all my grandparents when I was younger, but still remember the impact they had on me ❤️ #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration

Unrequited love ❤️ I’m seeking rep and love to draw kids, interiors, and silly lookin’ anthropomorphic animals, but up to drawing most things. Did I mention I’m a writer too? I’ve got a handful of dummies, and if you love hijinks and magic, you might wanna take a look. #KidLitArtPostcard #kidlitart

✨COVER REVEAL✨ of my debut YA graphic novel ARMAVENI coming April 14, 2026 with Levine Querido. ☀️ A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection 📚 PREORDERS are now available. Link in bio! #armavenigraphicnovel #levinequerido #coverreaveal #graphicnovel #armenian

Who is your favorite picture book character? I’ll go first. #kidlit

As someone who wakes up daily to gun violence news, I’m of the “radical” mind that guns just probably shouldn’t exist. But the US’s obsession with “being a good guy with a gun” will always be more important than your actual safety 🙄

Fair notice to #kidlit - next Thursday is a KidLitArtPostcard day! September is typically a very active month for posting and browsing. Spread the word so we get a good turnout from illustrators, editors, art directors, and agents! www.ginaperry.com/postcard

I’ve been hunkering down and quietly working on dummies. Now I quietly wait months and months to see how this round of queries goes. And in the meantime I have more story ideas and hope to post more one-off illustrations 🤞🏻 #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #illustration

United in fun. #grickledoodle #cats #dogs #pets #mice #trampoline #cartoon #art #drawing #funny

Hi #kidlitartpostcard I’m on a little staycation right now 😎 But, I’m a writer and illustrator looking for work… and representation! I love to draw silly and sweet characters of all kinds. Checkout my website if you’re interested: www.shawnazilla.com

A character sheet for a new #picturebook idea I’ve just started working on. I’m very excited about this new project. And yes, I know about cotton and tail being separate words, heh heh 😅 #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #characterdesign

I didn’t even realize that it is/was #worldbeeday !! In my mind, the bee depicted here is a native bee which often don’t have stingers or have small stingers. They also don’t produce honey but they are some of the best lil’ pollinators around town! Also, correct me if I’m wrong 😂

A chunky hummingbird and their friend, a happy bee. The plant is native SoCal yarrow. A few years ago I got into native plants and how important they are to help support the biodiversity of our planet. So if you want to keep critters happy, plant native plants! #kidlitart #nativeplants

Oh wow- it’s #kidlitartpostcard Day! I’m a traditional illustrator who also writes #picturebooks and seeking representation. Website: www.shawnazilla.com Insta: @shawnazilla I’m currently working on color selection for some final spreads of a new dummy. Feel free to stop by and say hello 😎

Hello hello! I’m Shawna a #kidlit #writer and #illustrator seeking rep. I love drawing nature, kids, and silly animals. I’m a traditional artist who loves watercolor, texture, and emotion. I hope to catch the eye of editors, art directors, and/or agents. Stop by and say hello! #kidlitartpostcard

What it takes to get through the day sometimes. ☕️🫖🧋 #processillustration #photoshop #kidlitart #sketch

This is your sign to head to the desert before it gets too hot

Every day I work like I already have a career as a picture book author/illustrator 😂 That’s the creative life for you! #querytrenches #kidlitart #illustration #picturebooks #process

Tulips on this first day of Spring

The Canadian geese are back in town and posing in trees which I have never personally seen. Silly goose! @descansogardens.bsky.social

Also, I want it to be known in the universe that even though it’s tough being in the query trenches, I can’t imagine how stressful being an agent is! 🥵 I empathize 🌈

Why do I want an agent? Well, you kinda need one these days. I love the idea of having someone cheering me on, and even helping to collaborate! I know it’s up to me to do the creative heavy lifting, but the idea of having a partner in an agent is very motivating! #kidlitart #kidlit #manifesting

Hello art directors/agents/fans of #kidlit! I’m Shawna Galey Avanessian- author/illustrator seeking representation. I love drawing silly animals, nature, and kids and really hope you enjoy my work. Please, feel free to reach out to me if you are interested 🌈 #kidlitartpostcard

Beyond excited to announce that my story "Avila Beach" will be appearing in the upcoming issue of "Seize the Press," one of my absolute favorite lit mags! @seizethepress.bsky.social There will be severed body parts, a sketchy government compound, and teenagers with no hope for the future galore.

Tulip season has arrived! My favorite flower 🌷 This new illustration is inspired by all the fun that goes on at Descanso Gardens- where I volunteer actually! It’s a beautiful garden in the Los Angeles foothill area. Can’t wait to see these tulips in all their glory in a few weeks! #kidlitart #kidlit

Hey, pirate friendos! If you have any littles in your life who enjoy books, I have a picture book that comes out today and you can order it from your local indie or bookshop.org! Publishing is a nightmare hellscape, so any help or word of mouth is HUGELY appreciated! 💚

“Signs of life” is what I’m calling this piece. Spring is still a few weeks away so hang in there! I sketched this one up in procreate but I painted it by hand because I don’t really like the brushes all that much in procreate. Any recommendations on brushes to buy? #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration

Hehehe I crack myself up with my sketches sometimes. #kidlit #kidlitart #process #sketch

Hello! I’m Shawna Galey Avanessian. Once a preschool teacher, I spent the last 10 years studying and refining my voice as a #kidlit author/illustrator. My art is traditional and I love silly/sweet/weird stories. Follow along as I try to break the curse of not having an agent 😵‍💫! #kidlitart

Yes, this monster is about to eat a lit candle- maybe because it doesn’t know the difference between spicy and hot? Anyway, I’m officially in the query trenches again. This is some character development for my next dummy book. Also, if this is your vibe, let’s be friends. #kidlitart #kidlit

I will be closing the thread to new replies below, in a few days. Reminder: pls read GUIDELINES before replying! People keep posting comments I end up having to hide, & I'm trying to keep this easy to browse (for agents). I lack time to keep monitoring, so will be closing the thread soon.

Ok- totally get the procreate craze. I’m committed to making my next dummy in procreate to see if it can speed up my process. #kidlitart

Happy Valentine’s Day! In this big, bad, bizarre and beautiful world we live in, remember to love yourself 🌹 #kidlitart #illustration

Happy Game Day! Never been much of a sports gal myself 💅🏻

My first post! I guess I should start with some art. I work traditionally with watercolor which is pretty cool I think 😎 Spring is coming and I’m thinking of working on a new piece with this essence but with tulips- my favorite flower 🌷