iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

It would be really handy! Almost every job got longer than scheduled for this year, so by this point in the year I’ve had to find time for an extra 1.5 picture books (spread across those projects) that I didn’t originally schedule time for. 🫠

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Digging deeeep into the archives for #colour_collective #CCNevadaBeige. Until someone tells me that they’ve inserted an extra month between now and December, it’s archive-delving for me; this is from 2019. 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s picture book kidlitart poetry illustration of a crocodile happily lying in the shallows of the Nile, surrounded by spiky plants and fish. The illustration surrounds the text of Lewis Carroll’s poem ‘How Doth The Little Crocodile’

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

That pop of yellow against the blue is lovely!

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

When mum gives you mushrooms… This isn’t actually a *new* piece for #colour_collective #CCDelftBlue, but I don’t think I’ve posted it before. It contains some blue. My to do list today contains multitudes. A bit of an update and voila. 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s picture book kidlitart illustration of Hokusai as a child in 18th century Japan, kneeling on the floor in historical clothing and looking with disgust at a mushroom that he has picked up from his rice bowl with chopsticks. A Japanese flying squirrel sits on his shoulder.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thanks Tessa! Had to leave her with my father for a few days but happy to report they are BOTH still alive and Myrna has definitely improved a lot and is eating and drinking unaided - that took ten days!

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Reposted by Alison Mutton

Tessa Cheung @tessacheung.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's the #MidAutumnFestival today! The Moon Bun Buns are back to celebrate 🌕 #CCHeliotrope #rabbits #moon #moonfestival

An illustration of three cute, cartoony white rabbits on a golden-coloured moon. One is carrying a lit paper heliotrope-coloured lantern; one is holding a moon cake about the same diameter as its head; and the final one is leaping across the top of the moon. Two clouds drawn in the style of traditional Chinese auspicious clouds partly cover the lower left and upper right parts of the moon.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The to do lists do like to interfere without colour collective plans, don’t they, Diana? But this is super cute! 💜

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Thanks Tessa, we hope so too. I understand it takes a few weeks to recover but we don’t have a timeline for milestones, which would be helpful. 💜

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Thanks Diana! She’s eaten a *tiny* solid treat today, for the first time in 6 days, so that is promising. 💜

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Bringing back this old illustration of Myrna for #colour_collective #CCHeliotrope because I’m manifesting; poor Myrna has vertigo and is so nauseous she is refusing all food (we feed her via syringe) and I *really* want to see her demanding better dinner options again. 💜 #kidlitart

A kidlitart children’s book illustration of a tricolour cavoodle dog on a bright pink plain background, pawing at an aqua bowl, spilling boring kibble, and looking at you with outrage.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Earlier this year I had the honour of working on this special project for @raynatotten - a heartfelt tribute to her beautiful granddaughter Eden, taken from the world far too soon. I’m honoured that she trusted me to bring it to life. #picturebookillustration #illustration

A photograph of the picture book ‘A Gentle Journey’, by Natalie Otten, illustrated by Alison Mutton. The cover features flowers and a butterfly against a sunset background, and the book is photographed against flowers

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Dug this out of the archives for #colour_collective #CCFollyRed. Guess who spent all her sketching time today doing other, unexpected things, like fixing scanners? 🫠💜 #kidlitart

A vignette non-fiction kidlitart children’s book illustration of a gang-gang cockatoo sitting on a eucalyptus branch.

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Reposted by Alison Mutton

Childrensillustrators @cillustrators.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Watch out... there’s a crocodile in the sandpit! 🐊👧✨ Alison Mutton illustrated this fun children's book cover. Check out this artist's #portfolio 👉 childrensillustrators.com/aleneart/por... #childrensillustrators #childrensbooks #kidlitart

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Definitely enough different topics to make me feel a bit like a ping pong ball 🤪

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Thanks Traci! I’ve got six active projects right now, hence the panic, but they’re all pretty fun!

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

One day I intend to actually *finish* this, but for today it’s just a repost for #colour_collective #CCElephantsBreath because the to do list got away from me today and I thought I’d better be good and keep working. 💜 #kidlitart

A vignette children’s book kidlitart illustration of the bird woman in Mary Poppins - an old Edwardian woman in patched and fraying clothes, sitting contentedly with her hands on a basket, while pigeons fly around her.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Whoops, thank you! Lost the hashtag 😵‍💫

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The cat is September, hitting me (the daffodils) like a speed train when as far as I’m concerned it’s still June. 😅 Thank you! 💜

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Slightly updated repost for colour_collective #CCAvocado in the interests of getting back to the to do list. I’m feeling rather like these frazzled daffodils right now! 🤪💜 #kidlitart

A vignette kidlitart children’s book sketch illustration of a black cat, sitting in a pot full of squashed daffodils, interrupted mid-bath.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Babcia would like everyone to know that everything is better with a friend. And a good cup of tea never goes amiss either.💜 #CCHibiscus for #colour_collective

A children’s book kidlitart illustration vignette of an old woman with a pink headscarf and orange scarf, peeking at a mouse that is sitting on her shoulder.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

There’s some #CCCaramel in this old piece for #colour_collective. I did that thing when I bit off more than I could chew with my ideas so I didn’t finish the piece I’d planned. 😅 So instead I send good thoughts to all our native birds now that bird flu has made its way to Australia.💜 #kidlitart

A children’s book kidlitart non fiction vignette illustration of a Sulfur crested cockatoo sitting on a branch surrounded by kangaroo paws

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I was followed by a pattern designer who clearly used it, even to ‘illustrate’ how she has so many ideas at all times. I’m selective with who I follow back anyway, a grid full of ai is a black mark from me!

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Absolutely! And I spent yesterday drawing a ball pit so I think my eyes were due some zen!

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Thank you, Lorraine! I too like simplicity, but I did have plans to do a whole full-colour vignette, and ended up not being bothered 😅

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I think I have a cold, so I kept it super simple for #colour_collective #CCMunsellBlue. Mainly because sneezing is not conducive to drawing 💜 #kidlitart

A limited palette kidlitart children’s book illustration in digital ink linework and solid blue colour of a small girl in a blue pinafore dancing away from the viewer along with a small black bird that is flying around her.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Beefed up the #CCFaluRed in this for #colour_collective - I created this sketch sample a while back, and it was rejected by the potential client for not being quirky or adorable enough. But I like it so I’m digging it out of the abyss of my Dropbox so you can see it! 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s book vignette illustration in digital mixed media, showing a small girl with tousled hair and an equally tousled black cat peeping out from under a pile of blankets and cushions.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Gave a bit of a facelift to this archive sketch for #colour_collective #CCPaleWedgwood. Personally, my life lacks a decent window seat from which to watch birds (I have the birds, but I watch them from my studio window, which is less picturesque) so this sketch can live out my dreams. 💜 #kidlitart

A limited palette children’s book illustration vignette sketch of a small boy in blue jeans and striped shirt, kneeling on a couch in front of a window and watching a blue bird eating at a bird feeder.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

When you want to blend in with the grown-ups. 💜 I didn’t have anything in my archives for #colour_collective #CCNickelTitanateYellow so here’s a super-quick sketch. #kidlitart

A kidlitart children’s book sketch vignette illustration of a baby emperor penguin wearing a yellow high-vis vest.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

It’s been over a month since I managed something new for #colour_collective so I thought I should carve out some time for the lovely #CCAmethyst. Comfy quilt and cuddly pet: the best way to nap! #kidlitart

A limited palette kidlitart illustration of a small girl cuddling a brown and white terrier under a purple quilt.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Amazing that out of five of us posting CC to BlueSky three of us ended up with Lily pads this week!

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The weeks continue to get away from me so I have edited this mermaid for #colour_collective #CCArsenic. I have fellow feeling with her this week, anyway; replace frogs with work projects and this has basically been me! 💜 #kidlitart

A limited palette linework and digital watercolour children’s book illustration of a purple-haired mermaid sitting on a rock and trying to comb frogs out of her hair.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I did a sketch for #colour_collective #CCAmbredebirmanie but I didn’t like it (probably due to guilt because I knew I should be working, did I sabotage myself? 😬) so here’s this weather-appropriate schnauzer again. 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s picture book illustration of a schnauzer in a bright yellow-orange raincoat, standing on a wet pavement and sniffing tentatively at a snail.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Obviously we need some sashiko for #colour_collective #CCIndigoDye so, in the interests of speedily returning to struggling with this work rough that I should be doing (send help!), I’ve dug into my archives again. Sending my UK & EU friends the relief of some rain! 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s picture book kidlitart illustration of a little traditional Japanese boy standing in the rain, holding a straw hat over his head and looking unimpressed. A Japanese dwarf flying squirrel sits on the top of his hat.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

As an illustrator with things to draw, I prefer it if I can actually get to the drawing bit of the working day BEFORE 4pm, but everyone else has other ideas and sends me emails. 🫠

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Back to the archives for #colour_collective #CCMonaLisa. The day (week) *completely* got away from me (well, we can blame my inbox for that, my original schedule was quite reasonable). One of my favourite colours, too! #kidlitart

A limited palette children’s book linework illustration of an old man in grey cap and trousers with a pink and orange knitted vest, peering at his knitting needles as he knits a very, wry long pink scarf. An orange cat sits on his shoulder, watching too.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

No, I just walk three metres from the back door to the studio.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Back to the archives for #CCShadowGrey for #colour_collective. It’s been wild and woolly here this week, so I’ve felt rather like this getting from house to studio. You can’t really put up an umbrella for 3m, but I arrive with more (slightly colder) tea in my cup than I started with! 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s book illustration in digital watercolour, depicting a grey mouse with a blue scarf in a boat made of half an orange and a leaf looking ahead while being tossed about on rough waters.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

It’s been ages since I drew Myrna, so I gave her a #CCRoseBonbon party hat to wish Penny a happy birthday for #colour_collective. Thanks for organising CC, Penny! 💜 #kidlitart

A vignette children’s book illustration of the head and shoulders of a smiling tricolour cavoodle dog wearing a bright pink party hat with a yellow pompom, and pink collar.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Aw, thank you! 💜 If I want people to hire me I have to do things properly! No good saying I’m a book designer and not following through 😅

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I actually remembered #kidlitartpostcardday on the 5th anniversary! I’m Alison, I’m a Western Australian #kidlitart illustrator working in picture books and middle grade (plus book design) and I’m seeking representation! 💜 www.alene-art.com #kidlitartpostcard

A middle grade book cover showing a shocked Asian girl with purple hair holding a wired game controller and falling through a vibrant blue circuit board into a fantasy game world, startling a blonde girl with a magic sword and a black boy who is preparing to throw a fireball. The title text reads ‘The Glytch: This Game Just Got Real’ and other text on the image says ‘Alison Mutton, children’s illustrator’ and leads to a website, Alene-art.com

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Thank you, Diana (and yes, I forgot that hashtag 🤦🏻‍♀️) 💜

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Thought I’d better finish off May with another mermaid for #colour_collective #CCFernGreen. I did some walking in humid swampy areas this week, so that inspired this lurking swampmaid. 💜 #kidlitart

A children’s book illustration of a swampy area full of broad- and strap-leaved plants and purple taro, in which a small mermaid with green hair is lurking with her eyes just above the surface, watched by a friendly frog and dragonfly.

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Alison Mutton @aleneart.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Thank you! It was a tricky pose to get just right!

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