iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Holy August, Batman! This month snuck up on me (said all teachers). Since this is kind of a lazy month, I'm keeping it simple (in image and style) with these cuties. #kidlit #fox #raven #kidlitartpostcard

A rough ink drawing of a fox holding a quill and a raven holding a paintbrush; both are writing and illustrating a book.

0427

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day. It's already July and I still haven't made it to the beach. But I have been at my desk with some more animal-based #nonfiction. May your summers be long and productive. #kidlit #nonfiction #picturebook

Two meanie-heads --bottlenose dolphins--follow and laugh at a sad porpoise

1352

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Wrapping up #junicorn2026. Quick color jobs because I had a lot going on, but it's my annual "detox" to paint some unicorns. Usually on fire. Wonder what that says.

A magician holds a child student protectively, crouched close to the ground. Magic laces across the dirt in the foreground. Two fiery unicorns charge past, driving a threatening specter deeper into the forest.

A unicorn and forest animals burst from a magical fire; the unicorn's horn is lit like a torch, implying some form of guardianship or control.

030

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Happy (belated) #kidlitartpostcard day. I'm tardy to the party because it's also my Mom's birthday, but good habits must be maintained. #picturebook #nonfiction #kidlit #illustration

A dalmatian sprints out in front of three galloping horses; they are pulling a cart (a steamer) trailing bright orange sparks through the dusty blue evening.

1214

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Sometimes you need "that friend" to bail you out of a sketchy situation. And sometimes, very rarely, I fall in love with a sketch right out the gate. Poor Raven looks so done. Not sure wolf teeth are allowed in #kidlit, but he's a good doggo. #kidlit #nonfiction #raven #wolf #illustration #wip

A clearly-embarrassed Raven sits on a wolf's shoulder; the wolf snarls and scares off an unseen threat to the Raven's existence. Sometimes you need a big friend to bail you out.

040

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day. I draw animal-centric #kidlit silliness, and I...research...all of the physical comedy involved. Art imitating life. #picturebook #nonfiction

Scene from a historical fire station. Two men rush to secure a rearing horse while a third person falls off screen, hand still reaching for the horse's lead rope. A happy dog started the commotion.

0301

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day. I live in animal-centric #nonfiction, but every once and a while I go back to my #fantasy muses. Especially when it's any combination of incendiary equines. Happy #yearofthefirehorse. #kidlitart #illustration

A fiery orange horse runs downhill through a forest of cool blues; the firelight brings out warm purples. The horse is a firebrand but has a gentle expression.

0384

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

I disdain horoscopes, but...I really want this one to be true. Run, darling. This isn't nearly to the level of finish that I wanted, but I couldn't NOT draw something for the #yearofthefirehorse. Fiery magical horses are kind of my thing. Happy #Chinesenewyear

020

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

NicocoCreates🎃👻🦇 @nicococreates.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I've shared this before but sharing again since a lot of y'all are going through it lately 🫂

De-catastrophizing

What is my anxious thought?
What evidence do I have for this thought?
What evidence do I have against this thought?
What is the likelihood of this happening?
Best possible outcome?
Worst possible outcome?
How would I cope if the worst outcome happens?
Would it matter in a week?
Would it matter in a month?
Would it matter in a year?
After examining the evidence how has my thought changed?

111646429

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day, happy 2026. These travel buddies are somewhere nice and cold and remote--far, far away from any news feeds. I do #nonfiction animal-centric #picturebooks and #middlegrade #bookcovers to keep myself feeling warm and fuzzy in more ways than one.

Stylized wolves move across a snowy tundra. The wolf in the lead pauses at the top of a snow drift. A raven perches in his neck fluff, while another pauses mid-flight nearby. The rest of the pack fade into the fog behind them.

1434

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Lu @dottea.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Hey, artists remember this: No matter how many pieces you made this year you're an artist, even if you only made 1. If you are super active or if you only have time / energy to pop up once in a while, no matter how big or small, you are still part of the art community 🙌 I love u artists

281925842

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Playing in the arena while we wait for the vet. Horses should never eat mown grass clippings, but sometimes, well-meaning neighbors think it is alright to spray said clippings through the fence. Infuriating. Dogs, horses, anything really…if it ain’t yours to feed, don’t feed it! #horsecare

Photo of a large black horse, placing its head in its owner’s arm in a sand arena.

120

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Eeep! Nearly missed October #kidlitartpostcard day. Can't pass up an excuse to put this #blackcat house goblin on my feed; he just so happens to rep my love of animal-centric #middlegrade #bookcovers. Enjoy the #Halloween vibes.

A mischievous black cat in a magical library chews up the pages of a book, surrounded by cat-caused chaos: an upended ink well and inky paw prints decorate the antique desk, while the background is littered with scattered books.

0414

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

One of the first of many glorious rants on the brain today. #scrubs #tylenol youtu.be/gD6olRJ8S3I?...

youtu.be

Tylenol

YouTube video by Mike Moore

010

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Hi #kidlitartpostcard day. Since real life feels like a circus right now, have a little OG Roman circus action, courtesy of my love for animal-centric #historical #nonfiction. #Picturebooks and MG #bookcovers with a little #graphicnovel flavor.

A young charioteer waits in a hallway facing the racetrack of the Circus Maxima. He and his four horses watch nervously as an older charioteer in the background falls face-first into the dust.

0353

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Last evening of the summer. Tenth year of teaching middle school. And best believe I’m bummed and a little stressed, but I am not scared. And I am supremely lucky for that.

000

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Aled Thompson @aledthompson.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Ceffyl Dŵr - Water Horse from Welsh folklore that lures lost travellers on its back before diving underwater, never to be seen again.

A horse diving underwater among flowing underwater plants with its mane and tails flowing like the plants

12737235

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Hi #kidlitartpostcard day! I do #nonfiction animal-centric #picturebooks and #middlegrade #bookcovers. <3 history and animal science! These #dolphins are giving this #shark the what-for. Probably for using obnoxious Chaloops type. Sharks aren't generally gifted at graphic design. He tried.

Impish dolphins harass an emotionally-devastated hammerhead shark on a postcard for ElisabethCraster.com

0263

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Oh, like you would never. #artistproblems #weirdreferences #sketch I thought my obsession with ankle booties was just a personal problem; from now on it's "research."

A truly excessive number of photographs of a boot at a particular angle dominate the screen in Photoshop next to a digital drawing of a shoe.

010

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

And now for a nice quiet afternoon of getting…things…done…? #cat #studio

A wild eyed black cat stands after landing on top of a paper, covered desk, intent on disrupting work productivity

1917

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Closing out #junicorn2025 today. My annual fantasy fix, with a heavy emphasis on #graphite this year (my first and forever love when it comes to medium). Just a smattering here to keep my BSKY kidlit-oriented. Insta's got the unicorns @ecraster #unicorn #fantasyart #fantasydrawing #conceptart

Graphite drawing of a forest. A unicorn and forest animals burst from a magical fire; the unicorn's horn is lit like a torch, implying some form of guardianship or control.

A magician and young student crouch behind tree roots, just out of sight from a wraith-like, ghostly unicorn. The magician's hand appears to incite a magical reaction as fiery lines begin criss-crossing the ground.

Graphite drawing: a magician holds a child student protectively, crouched close to the ground. Magic laces across the dirt in the foreground. Two fiery unicorns charge past, driving the threatening specter deeper into the forest.

A fiery, mischievous-looking unicorn stares out at the viewer next to a 20 prompt list for #junicorn. 1. Ride Now! 2. Visit the Zoo. 3. Into the Night. 4. Dance with the Devil. 5. Survive a Disaster 6. Unlock the Door. 7. Escape the Labyrinth. 8. First day of school. 9. Ignored the Warning. 10. (Don't) Look Under the Bed 11. Follow that Cat! 12. ...That's Not a Unicorn. 13. Discover a Library. 14. Steal a Little Magic. 15. Defying Orders. 16. Bridge the gap. 17. Lose the Map. 18. Take Revenge. 19. Make a Friend. 20. Light a Fire.

030

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

When the cat-shaped house goblin says you’re done being productive today. #cat

Black cat with golden eyes sprawled across a work desk

020

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 21/06/2025

Aaaaand guess what stage I'm at now....

Cartoon titled “The Four Stages of Writing” by Debbie Ridpath Ohi, showing a girl at a laptop experiencing a cycle of emotions. Panel 1: she looks frustrated, saying “Wow, I can’t believe I thought I could write.” Panel 2: she looks more hopeful, saying “Hey, I’m not so bad after all.” Panel 3: she raises her arms and smiles, saying “Wow, this writing is BRILLIANT! I ROCK!” Panel 4: she looks sad again, repeating “Wow, I can’t believe I thought I could write.”

79318

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Ever been for an MRI? When they're done asking if you if you've ever touched metal or looked at metal the wrong way, they're gonna ask THE question: what kind of music do you want? Today I said "80's rock." And apparently that warranted further explanation. Feeling decrepit right now.

100

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Jaimie Whitbread @jaimiewhitbread.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Unicorns will go a long way to protect their reputations for being the most noble and picturesque of beasts… but even they can’t resist a good gallop down a grassy hill. #junicorn #junicorn2025 #unicorns #unicornart #grasshoppers #unicornlore

119558

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

The unicorn is the swiftest of all earthbound beasts...save for a cat that doesn't wish to be caught. Happy #junicorn2025. I likely won't be pushing every #fantasyart piece to BSKY; insta will remain the hub of all things #unicorn. #junicorn #artprompts #advancedjunicorn #fantasyart

A rider on a black unicorn lurches over the horizon, hot on the tail of a mischievous orange cat, who splashes through a cat tail swamp just ahead.

0112

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Critterwings Illustration @critterwings.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Looks like I’ll be busy this June… 😉🦄 #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #junicorn

021

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Mousewren @mousewren.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Bake-kujira, the ghost whale of Japanese folklore. #japanesefolklore #monster #whale #ghost #yokai #art #digitalart #artwork #ghost #fantasy

0439

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Critterwings Illustration @critterwings.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

If you're heading to #Balticon this weekend, stop by the artists alley to say Hi! I'll have my prints, cards, stickers, and few other fun things for sale. I'm also bringing a couple of my older pieces and a few recent paintings along for the art show, www.balticon.org

Photo of several different colorful prints and stickers, with various fantasy themes including unicorns, dragons, and people in colorful costumes.

041

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

I realize we're only halfway through #mermay. But some of us need lead time. This is my annual self-indulgence to scratch that #fantasy itch. Just as the Christmas merch creeps into the Halloween aisle, so too does #junicorn approach. #artprompts #narrativeart #conceptart

130

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Jenn @jennosaur.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Heart of the Forest 🍂 #art #myart #commissions

An illustration of a forest spirit in the middle of a body of water, the forest on fire around it. Deer-like, with leafy entwining antlers, its eyes glow against the black flowing void of its face and tail that trails in the wind, transforming into flame. Smoke billows in front and in the distance, the creature’s reflection a shadowy distortion. Surrounded and engulfed in flames, the forest spirit stands with a silent calm amidst the burning destruction of its home.

6693932764

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 04/05/2025

Hey #kidlit, here’s 12 months of #kidlitartpostcard Bluesky post counts. The numbers do ebb and flow but my big picture take away is that the children’s book publishing community is thriving on Bluesky. 💙❤️

Screenshot:

#KidLitArtPostcard
Bluesky Postcard
Counts:
192—June 2024
Offline-July
154-August 2024
200-September 2024
210—October 2024
203—November 2024
341-December 2024
205—January 2025
413-February 2025
456-March 2025
388-April 2025
337-May 2025

414110

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

So how soon is too soon to post a #junicorn prompt list? I'm like the Christmas people the day after Halloween. Just let me draw some horses with swords on their heads, gawd.

000

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Actually, quite shocked that I haven’t drawn more swords… we will have to settle for a screen grab from an old insta sketch #fantasyart #sketchbook

A hooded man confronts a vicious unicorn, and feints right to avoid the sharp hooves

162

Reposted by Elisabeth Craster Illustration

Adam Bunch @adamisarting.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

MerMay Day 2 - “Cosmic” Went with the ol’ Capricorn. I had a lot of fun just going wild with the hair and the tail shapes as well as the background colors. Can’t wait to share the next one! #mermay #mermay2025 #mermaid #cosmic #capricorn #astrologicalsign #seagoat #drawingchallenge

1378

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Life imitating art, or art imitating life. (Don’t come for me if the yard flag is AI art, I received it as a gift lol) #catphoto #blackcat #bestcat #cat

A sleek black cat with golden eyes sits on a screen porch with flowers in the background. A decorative yard flag shows a black cat with yellow eyes sitting in a garden full of flowers.

160

Elisabeth Craster Illustration @ecraster.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Hi #kidlitartpostcard day! I do nonfiction picture books and middle grade book covers. And I LOVE animal-centric history. Lot of us wishing for a little victoria. Victoria amat curam - victory favors care #kidlitpostcardday #kidlitpostcard #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #kidlitart

A boy charioteer saves himself from a damaged chariot by leaping on the backs of his horses and riding them across the finish line. This is a postcard for #kidlitartpostcard day.

0200