iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It looks like I’ll be illustrating another picture book in the coming months and I want to dive deeper into drawing and painting actual humans rather than anthropomorphic insects, vegetables or random normally inanimate objects. Weird I know! 😂 #kidlit #art

Watercolour illustration of a picture of a young lady in a frame hanging on a wall.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Happy #kidlitpostcard day! I’m Marit, a freelance illustrator based in the UK. I work in traditional and digital media, often a combination of both. I particularly like illustrating history and fairytales. Mixed media illustration from The Sad Tale of Navy Cherry by Vicky Roden. #art #kidlit

Mixed media illustration of a big fish with an anthropomorphic cherry having a temper tantrum in its belly.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Sketching with ink and watercolour is still one of my favourites. I just start drawing with ink in one place and work outward without much of a plan, fill in the background last. I know the perspective doesn’t really make sense in this, but I love the textures and limited colour palette. 😆 #art

Ink and wash illustration of a girl drinking tea, looking out a window.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I’m gradually finding an easier and more playful way of creating artwork. I’m painting with traditional gouache in an A3 sketchbook. Less stress, more joy. 😊 #art

Gouache illustration of different kinds of blue flowers in brown vases.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

This is what happens when I relax and have fun, this artwork feels free and easy to me. I didn't overthink it, I had fun doing it. #gouachepainting #freelanceillustrator #cutecats #art

Gouache illustration of cats popping their head out of flowerpots surrounded by gardening tools.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Nothing lasts for ever, sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel… #art

Illustration of a bunch of flowers in a ceramic jar.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Reimagining an illustration that I did for Laura Formentini’s ‘Twentyone Olive Trees’ in 2021. When there’s a tight deadline you don’t really have a choice but to work digitally, but in an ideal world I would love to redo all the work in traditional media! This is ink and gouache on hot press. #art

Ink and gouache illustration on hot press watercolour paper.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

Lily ✨illustrator @lilinway.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

🌱😌 Happy #PortfolioDay ! I’m Lily, a #kidlit illustrator open to picture book projects, covers, and more ✨ Portfolio: lilinway.com Email: lilinway@hotmail.com 🦄 seeking representation 🦄

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Maybe not so much a finished illustration as a test run. I’m sorting out my workflow from sketch to finished watercolour illustration. My goal is to work predominantly in traditional media. #art #kidlit

Watercolour illustration of a school class.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

This morning I’m inking an illustration. Please note the alternative use of a kneadable eraser to support the light box at an angle! 🤓 I love my job! 😆 #childrensillustrator #watercolorillustration #picturebookillustration #kidlit #art

Ink and watercolour illustration in progress.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Happy #kidlitpostcard day! I'm Marit, a freelance illustrator based in the UK. I work in traditional and digital media, sometimes a combination of both. I particularly like illustrating history and fairytales with #kidlitartist #picturebooks #childrensillustration #art

Digital watercolour illustration of dragon and kids with a brown dog.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

Childrensillustrators @cillustrators.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Seeds on the breeze, sunshine in bloom~ 🌼✨🌿This dreamy illustration by Rachel Gozhansky drifts with dandelions — golden fields and fluffy wishes floating into the sky. Check out this artist's #portfolio 👉 childrensillustrators.com/rachelgozhan... #childrensillustrators #childrensbooks #kidlitart

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Okay, I need to pull myself together, world ending or not…

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

I finally did it. I deleted Facebook, Instagram and Threads from my phone. I didn’t leave them I just didn’t want them on my phone. It does feel like there is no option when you’re a professional creative but to keep feeding these monsters, with your work and your time…

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Happy New Year! ✨ As we head into the new year, I’m open to picture book illustration work and excited about new collaborations. I specialize in a traditional, hand-crafted aesthetic and love working with authors, editors, and publishers to bring heartfelt children’s stories to life. #kidlitpostcard

KidLit postcard featuring a pirate doing embroidery with a cat at his feet.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

In spite of everything that’s going on I feel strangely optimistic about this one! 😁

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

“Look!” said Mushroom Mama, pointing out into the dark garden that was beginning to look like a wet swamp. “The snails can’t swim. They like damp but they drown if there’s too much water. I wish the rains would wash them away once and for all!” #art

Illustration of anthropomorphic vegetables fighting off snails in a rainstorm.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

The following day Strawberry made his way down to the old root cellar at the bottom of the garden. “Hello! Is there anyone down there!?” He shouted. He waited a while as the sound of his voice echoed back, but there came no answer.”We could sure use some help up here…” he added softly. #art

Illustration of anthropomorphic vegetables.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

✨ “We can’t keep going like this,” said Strawberry “we need help!” “What about the Oooold Potato?” someone whispered. “The legend says that he will return to help when things look bleak and the vegetables are facing their greatest threat…” Was there help to be found in the old root cellar? ✨ #art

Folktale week - Night - Illustration of a group of vegetables defending themselves from snails.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Love this. You can never go wrong with a bit of vintage Bowie. 🥰

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

🎃I’m telling you, these anthropomorphic vegetables are getting out of hand! Actually, this one would probably qualify as more of a “gallusomorphic” creature.🙄 I don’t even know what’s going on with those fangs?!! 😂 Watercolour in my sketchbook. #art

Watercolour painting in my sketchbook of a potato with chicken legs and fangs.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

🍂 Happy October! This one kind of snuck up on me… or maybe I just wasn’t ready to let go of September. As you are enjoying your pumpkin-spiced everything 🎃, I hope this season brings you focus and fulfilment. #HelloOctober #art

Gouache painting of yellow apples from my sketchbook.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

How lovely is this!? 🥰❤️❤️❤️

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

🍐There are probably a gazillion things I could be painting, and should be painting, but they all require brain power and I’ve run out of that commodity… hope you’re having a nice restful Sunday. ☺️ #art

Sketchbook page with gouache painting of pears and blackberries.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

I’m tired, I can’t use my words right now. Happy to have arrived in my favourite month of the year, worried because there’s so little left of 2025 and I’m not feeling like I know where I’m going yet. Here’s to spiced lattes and apple pie! #kidlit #art #September

Grumpy Pear with a kundalini-way too excited-worm sticking out of his third eye shouting Happy September!!

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Am I the only one who, when planning a new project, immediately heads over to their favourite online art materials shop and starts browsing? Repeat after me: “I do not NEED any MORE tubes of PAINT at THIS time.” Got it, got it? Good. Now carry on as you were. #procrastination #evasivemaneuvers

A plethora of paint tubes scattered across a wooden table.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Indulging my obsession with anthropomorphic fruit and veg. There’s something so nice and tactile about cutting them out. 😆 #kidlit #picturebookillustrator #watercolour #art #childrensillustration

Cut outs of watercolour illustrations depicting anthropomorphic strawberries and a potential turnip?

Cut outs of watercolour illustrations depicting anthropomorphic strawberries and a potential turnip? Scissors and coloured pencils in the margins.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

This looks like a must have book!

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

The things we find lying around the house! 😂 This was sitting in a cabinet in the garden shed. It’s a set of weights for “oldyworldy” scientific scales. Comes complete with a pair of tweezers for the tiny weights (under the glass lid).

Old fashioned brass weights in a custom made wooden box.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Spent time with my grandson yesterday and inspiration struck! Good thing I’d brought my sketchbook! 😂 I’m definitely using those Brussels sprouts in a project. #kidlitart #freelanceillustrator #picturebookillustrator

Illustration of characters dressed up as vegetables.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Tomorrow is May’s #KidLitArtPostcard ! Tip - write your post (& alt text) ahead of time, copy-paste it tomorrow! Also copy-paste #KidLitArtPostcard to be sure you’re using the right hashtag!

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Yes, I’ve had to make a conscious decision to limit my exposure to social media and the “news”. I’m going to focus on the things I can do to make my little corner better.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Here's a picture of a mockup from Patternbank with a floral design I just uploaded. :-) #surfacepatterndesigner #textiledesigner #patternbank

Mockup of a journal from Patternbank with a floral pattern by Marit Cooper.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

MꙬse Allain @mooseallain.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

What the hell is going on in Dorset? These two signs are miles from each other.

Photo of a tree with a sign saying “CAUTION! GUINEA PIGS RUNING LOOSE”

Photo of a tree with a sign saying “CAUTION! WILD GUINEA PIGS!!!”

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

I had a piece of work in a local art exhibition. The technique is a little different to the way I normally work, mixed media with collage. I used gelli printed papers and gold leaf. It was a lot of fun to make and I definitely want to do some more in this style.

Collage painting with a character holding up a mask to their face.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

Project Gutenberg @gutenberg.org · 24/03/2025

#OTD author Leigh Brackett died in 1978. She was one of the foremost female writers during the Golden Age of Science Fiction (1938–1946). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_B... Leigh Brackett at PG: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/searc... #books #sciencefiction #womanauthors

Cover of the magazine Planet Stories featuring the Leigh Brackett's story "Black Amazon of Mars." Pictured is a red-haired Amazonian warrior swinging an ax.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Occasionally I pop on to Facebook just to catch up with friends and family. The absolute barrage of AI generated content quickly brings my mood and energy down… I’m always so relieved and happy to return to Bluesky and my feed full of real people, real human made art and interesting information! 🥰

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

HUMAN ARTISTS, use only one piece to convince people to follow you. (I’m new at this so forgive me if I’m doing it wrong!🫣) [ #ArtShare ]

Watercolour illustration of insects and vegetation.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.

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Marit Cooper @maritcooper.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

A recent trip to Lapworth Museum coalesced into a pattern on Patterbank! #textiledesign #surfacepatterndesign @patternbank.bsky.social patternbank.com/Undaunted-De...

Picture of a curtain with a pattern of seashells and fossils.

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Reposted by Marit Cooper

Jessica Elena @byjessicaelena.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

This vid from @niadragon.bsky.social made me really hyped to start using my Patreon blog more!!! LET'S GO!! I don't think I'll ditch social media but I want to have a central hub I have more control of.

youtu.be

its time to revive the artist's blog

YouTube video by nia dragon

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