iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Very late #Peachtober Days three and four: moose and spell🫎🪄 A young witch practicing her levitation spells in her bedroom! I had sketched this piece days ago but didn’t have time to finish it until now- better late than never I guess? #kidlitart #picturebookart #peachtober26moose #peachtober26spell

A black and white painted illustration of a witch casting a spell on a moose stuffed animal in her bedroom. The room has a window, a rug, and pillows and books on the floor. The witch wears a dress, cape, socks and witch hat. One of her arms is outstretched casting her spell, the other holds a book as she looks away squinting from the bright magic in front of her. The moose stuffed animal levitates surrounded by wisps of colorful magic and text that reads “WOOOSH”.

A closer look at the painting showing yellow colored pencil highlights from the spell cast onto the witch and the walls

A closer look at the moose and the lettering

Laura’s sketchbook with an early concept of the piece drawn in red and blue pencil

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#peachtober26 day 2: chimney! Don’t go exploring haunted houses on your own at night.. you never know what you may find💭👻🍂 #kidlitart #kidlit #picturebookart #kidlitillustration #halloweenart #peachtober #freelanceillustrator

An illustration of a little boy walking his bicycle up a hill where he overlooks more sloping hills. In the distance, a Victorian style haunted house with ghosts escaping from the chimney sits atop a hill surrounded by trees. The illustration is mostly sepia tones and orange-ish yellow paint and pencil. In the bottom corner there is text that reads “they say on moonlit nights you can see ghosts and ghouls dancing from the chimney of the house on the hill..”

A closer look at the painting- it looks more black and white and yellow before being scanned digitally.

The details on the painting shows shadows and textures and paintbrush strokes

A picture of Laura’s desk halfway through painting the base colors. There are brushes and tubes of paint and pencils scattered around her desk

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Happy October and art challenge month to all who celebrate! Here’s a little oak sprite painting the leaves autumnal hues for the first day of #peachtober26 ! #kidlitart #peachtober #kidlit #picturebookillustration #kidlitillustration #halloweenart

Two unfinished paintings of more oak sprites painted in color laying on Laura’s desk

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Sketchbook pages (clearly I’m very fond of Mitsubishi Prussian Blue + vermilion pencils as my go to sketching tool lol)💭📒 #sketchbook #kidlitart #kidlitartist #sketchbookpractice

An open sketchbook on a yellow background next to a blue and red pencil. The sketchbook page is a little girl in a boat catching a star and putting it in the water as it glows

A sketch of a little girl wearing a dress playing trumpet and a little boy in a striped shirt and shorts playing a flute

A character turnaround sketch of a little boy wearing a space helmet hooked up to living flora

Another page shows many different color swatches from pencils and paints as Laura worked out a color palette for an illustration

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Laura, an illustrator based in upstate NY, currently seeking representation. I love drawing cozy scenes that highlight the magic of everyday moments through playful colors and characters🖍️💭✨ #kidlitartist #kidlit #picturebookartist #kidlitillustration

An illustration of children playing in the sprinkler water of a fire hydrant on a city street surrounded by trees. The children splash and play together- this is expressed through warm vibrant colors and joyful expressions

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

My sketchbook when it’s the middle of summer and nearly 100 degrees outside .. #kidlitart #halloweenart #sketchbook #picturebookartist #kidlit #kidlitartist

Laura’s sketchbook lays open on a yellow background, on the page are cute expressive drawings of a pumpkin character and test doodles

A drawing of a vampire child drinking a blood juice box

Sketches in ink and grey marker of Laura as a bat type of creature doing things like sleeping and being stuck in a tree

More bat doodles- eating a giant strawberry, being upset, standing in the rain, and holding up a wing like Draculas cape

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Reposted by Laura

Gretchen Felker-Martin PRE ORDER CHIMERA 2.16.27 🍉 @scumbelievable.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

strong contender for the greatest line in fantasy film

Two stills from PRINCESS MONONOKE. Osa the leper on his deathbed in Irontown, telling Ashitaka and the Lady Eboshi "Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep living."

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Read more books and grow your imagination😌💭📚 Another piece I started last month.. I’m happy with how the texture of the paper came out on this one! #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #kidlit #papercollage #kidlitillustrator #LFLweek #freelanceillustrator #libraryjoy #librarylove

A collage illustration of a little girl sitting cross legged reading a book. She has medium light skin and dark hair styled into space buns with bangs and a hair clip. She wears a red shirt, navy blue shorts, black ankle high boots and teal socks. The background of the picture is cardboard framed by white matting. Behind her to the right is a paper library card slip and a red flower. The words “read more books” are cut out from blue painted paper and placed in the center of the illustration. The piece lays on a yellow background for the picture

A closer look at the texture and detail of depth in the collage. The paper is cold pressed watercolor paper which creates a rough texture that picks up pigment differently than smooth paper

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Reposted by Laura

Bird 🌲 @birdwarde.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

stop generating crap you look stupid! 🐟

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

A piece I made for National Library Week last month; time got away from me and so I’m just getting around to finishing my WIPs and posting them.. the message still stands- support your local library!! #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #papercollage #libraryjoy #picturebookillustrator #picturebookart

a paper and cardboard collage of a little girl laying down and reading a book. She has brown skin and black hair in pigtails; she wears a colorful plaid shirt, red pants, and teal glasses. A paper library card slip in its envelope is placed in the middle of the piece surrounded by red and yellow flowers with “Support your local library” in blue paper cut letters on top just above the little girl. The picture lays on a yellow background

A close up of the collage showing the texture and depth of the paper and colors

“Support your local library” cut from paper scraps laying on Laura’s desk

Mid process photo of painted paper being cut into shapes

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Reposted by Laura

womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

“It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent—lose your invaluable curiosity... It’s as simple as that.” -Tove Jansson

Monochrome photograph featuring a standing white woman facing forwards wearing dark top and trousers, hands in pockets, surrounded by paintings in an artist's studio

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

The passage of time- blink and you’ll miss it. #neyear #sketchbook #comics

Laura’s sketchbook lays open on a yellow background next to a two sided pencil. The page shows a mini six frame comic sketched in blue and red of Laura blankly looking at a calendar that reads Jan. 1, 2025. The next frame she blinks, the paper calendar falls to reveal the paper underneath says Jan. 1, 2026. Laura opens her eyes looking shocked. The bottom of the page reads “the passage of time”

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Spamming the tl with posts I should have posted in October oops lol

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Peachtober day 20.) TRUCK A Japanese utility truck to carry some of my favorite things✨ Annual birthday portrait for peachtober🙂‍↕️ #peachtober25 #peachtober25truck #peachtober #illustration #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #childrensillustration #freelanceillustrator

An illustration of a yellow Japanese utility truck carrying shelves full of Laura’s favorite things- coffee, records and a record player, plants, paints and brushes, a slice of birthday cake, books and trinkets- all covered in a striped awning with scalloped edges. Laura sits in the driver’s seat leaning out the window with her head resting on her arms. She smiles holding a paint brush. The illustration is inspired yellow paint and black ink on white paper. The piece lays on a yellow background surrounded by ink, paint and pencils.

A closer look at Laura showing the texture of the paint and paper

A closer look at the details on the shelving. Texture and different values of black ink are visible

Rough concept drawings from Laura’s sketchbook laying on a yellow background

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Peachtober Days 7.) STRAWBERRY, 8.) LEAF, and 9.) ROPE if your strawberries go missing in the garden, they were probably stolen by imps..🍓 #peachtober25 #peachtober25strawberry #peachtober25leaf #peachtober25rope #peachtober #illustration #kidlit #kidlitartist #freelanceillustrator

An illustration in black and red ink on white paper of impish creatures climbing up a rope clipped to a strawberry plant using a paper clip, to steal the berries. A second imp carries a strawberry on its back sneaking away from the plant. The illustration lays on a yellow background next to a bottle of paint and a couple of pencils

A closer look at the illustration showing the texture and different values of the ink

A page from Laura’s sketchbook showing messy notes and sketches of ideas for this piece

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Peachtober Day 5.) POPPY ⚘ An alternate timeline where innocence is preserved and Frankenstein’s monster is living a peaceful life amongst the flowers.. #peachtober25 #peachtober25poppy #illustration #kidlit #kidlitartist #childrensillustration #freelanceillustrator #picturebookart

A cute picture book style illustration on white paper in greenish brown shimmering ink of Frankenstein’s monster crouching down to look at a red poppy flower in bloom. The illustration lays on a yellow background next to a bottle of ink and pencils

A closer look showing the paper texture and sparkle of the ink

A page from Laura’s sketchbook showing early concept sketches for the piece next to pencils

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Peachtober Day 3.) SLUG + Day 4.) GINGHAM🐌🧺 A cemetery picnic for those that believe in friendship even beyond the grave.. #Peachtober25 #Peachtober25slug #Peachtober25gingham #illustration #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #childrensillustration #freelanceillustrator

An illustration on white paper in black and red ink of a skeleton and zombie having a picnic in a cemetery. The zombie is popping up from a tombstone and the skeleton sits on a gingham picnic blanket pouring them tea. Tombstones, slugs, flowers and a picnic basket frame the scene. The illustration lays on a yellow background next to pencils and bottles of ink

A closer look at the illustration showing the texture of the paper and details of the image.

Laura’s sketchbook lays on a yellow background next to pencils showing a rough sketch of the concept for the piece

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Peachtober 2025 Day 1.) ACORN🐿️ A cozy lunch of acorn stew for two! Not sure how much I'll be able to participate in peachtober this year, but I’m happy to make even a couple pieces:•) #Peachtober25 #Peachtober25Acorn

An illustration in black ink on white paper of a squirrel and a chipmunk drinking soup out of acorn tops at a tree stump table. The paper is set on a yellow background next to ink, a paint tube, and pencils.

Rough sketches from Laura’s sketchbook of the concept for this illustration.

A progress picture of Laura’s desk with her art supplies laying next to the painting as the first layer dries.

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Been in a serious creative burnout this year so I haven’t made a lot outside of a handful of paintings, but it’s nice to share some of those pieces here and connect with others over art and stuff:) #peachtober #kidlitart #picturebooks #illustration #freelanceartist #painting

a painted illustration of Laura sleeping curled up in a jack-o'-lantern surrounded by unfinished sketches, a birthday cake, a backpack, a pencil, party garland, And winding yellow flowers on a grassy hill. The painting sits on a yellow background surrounded by tubes of paint and pencils.

a painted illustration of a little boy hugging a flower pot with a blooming smiling flower bud that is pink. The little boy is white with light brown hair wearing a yellow shirt and pants closeting his eyes as he smiles. They stand on a grassy hill with a yellow starry backdrop with the quote "love helps us grow!" Lettered in deep yellow brown. The painting lays on a yellow background next to pencils and tubes of paint.

a painted illustration of two fawns on a grassy hill with a forest of trees on more sloping hills next to mountains in the background. The illustration sits on a yellow background next to tubes of paint, pencils, and paint brushes.

a painting of a red sleeping dragon curled around shiny gold treasures in a cave. The painting is surrounded by a border of a painted gold chain.

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

#peachtober prompt for “sketch” Just a cute little piece with picture book vibes and happy reminders🫶🏻 #illustration #painting #kidslitart #picturebooks #freelanceartist

a painted illustration of a little girl sketching with a giant pencil on pieces of paper with the quote "share your ideas with the world" written in pencil in the left hand corner. The little girl is Black with her hair styled in an Afro with hair clips, she wears a yellow plaid dress with Apples as pockets. She smiles looking at her sketches of sparkles and plants and apples more. The illustration lays on a yellow background surrounded by pencils and tubes of paint.
The next images show a closer look at the pencil texture and colors of the painting. The last image shows rough ideas from Laura's sketchbook next to an eraser and pencil

The next images show a closer look at the pencil texture and colors of the painting. The last image shows rough ideas from Laura's sketchbook next to an eraser and pencil

The last image shows rough ideas from Laura's sketchbook next to an eraser and pencil

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

#peachtober prompt for “apricot” loved playing around with simple under painting on these pieces. #illustration #painting #kidslitart #gouachepainting #freelanceartist

a painted illustration of a green produce basket of apricots with expressive and cute faces. One of them is grumpy and has a produce sticker stuck to them with the apricot hex code on it. The painting is on a yellow background next to pencils and tubes of paint. The next two images show a closer look at the texture and color and under painting of the piece. The last two images are WIP progression shots from sketch to underpainting

The next two images show a closer look at the texture and color and under painting of the piece. The last image is WIP progression shot from sketch to underpainting

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

A piece I made during #peachtober for the prompt “River”. Happy with how this little scene came out:) #illustration #kidslitart #painting #freelanceartist

a painted illustration of tall grassy hills surrounded by a river with an origami boat floating in the water. The hills have peaceful smiling faces, and atop is a small house and a little girl with deep brown skin and black hair in pigtails sitting and fishing into the river from the hilltop. There is a pink, yellow and blue rainbow in the sky with fluffy clouds floating by. The painting lays on a yellow background next to pencils and tubes of paint. The next two images show a closer look at the painting and its texture and layered colors. The last image shows thumbnail sketches of ideas from Laura's iPad and sketchbook

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Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Finally made an account on here and my entire feed is just fantastic pictures of woodpeckers, mushrooms facts, and artists sharing their work. Wow, what a time to be alive

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