iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Watching spooky season roll in like😳 After adjusting to a new teaching job, #fallismyfavorite & the perfect time to get back to work on this character’s graphic novel (& other #kidlitart ideas)! Might it also be the time to get industry eyes on my work?!🤞🙏 #kidlitartpostcard www.SadeeSchilling.com

Graphic novel style illustration by Sadee Schilling. A teen with rust colored hair looks pensively over her shoulder. Dappled light shines through fall leaves and dances over her face.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I don’t remember planting these lilies but I’m excited to see them bloom for the first time! Aren’t they gorgeous?! What a wink from the universe, especially after my tears in the spring over all the plants I intentionally planted that aren’t thriving…

Two bright magenta lilies blooming in a garden. One more closed flower waits to bloom.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Here’s a page from my YA graphic novel pitch for #kidlitartpostcard! I’m a neurodivergent artist who works in a variety of media & genres, including #PB & #comics. This project includes a MC who’s also ND & discovers a psychic bond between herself & the objects in a cozy-spooky secondhand shop…

One page colored in pastels and earth tones from a comic about a teen with reddish curly hair and a blue sweatshirt who works in a haunted secondhand shop. She dusts trinkets like chicken figurines and a collection of dolls, one which opens its eyes behind her back. Then the girl finds a small charm and her hair stands on end as she says she’s feeling strange.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

This piece wasn’t feeling finished so I added more collage to create a dark garden of a speech bubble. This little girl’s owl critique partner is overflowing with ideas & questions about the mystery story she’s writing! @scbwi.bsky.social #scbwidrawthis #scbwiillustrators #scbwi #kidlit #kidlitart

Collage children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling featuring a yellow haired little girl wearing old fashioned clothes with a little feathered hat and her owl friend working on a mystery story. She writes at a desk covered in crumpled paper, a stack of mystery books, a magnifying glass, a multi-tiered candlestick and a black crystal tower. The owl flaps his wings and asks, who?

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Just like #KidLitArtPostcard, I’m 5 years old in this illustration of me & my little sister. Happy days! 🥰 I'm working on two graphic novels now inspired by parts of my childhood & am also available to illustrate heartfelt stories across the #kidlit spectrum. *Seeking rep* www.sadeeschilling.com

Children’s book illustration of two little girls dressed in pastel colors. The older brunette has long dark wavy hair and wears a mint green shirt featuring crayons. She gives a piggy back ride to the younger blonde in a short pixie haircut who wears a pink shirt with ruffles at the shoulders and fluffy blue slippers.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m a neurodivergent illustrator who loves working in a variety of media. Here’s a peek at my current personal project—a tween graphic novel. As I draw quirky vintage knick-knacks for this story, I’ll share sketches of fun finds from poking around the antique mall!

Children’s book illustration comic by Sadee Schilling with three panels: A black & white cat pounces, knocking over several knick-knacks. A red-headed tween girl lunges to rescue them. Then she cradles a ceramic figurine and in her hands, side-eying the cat who casually cleans his paw.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Happy holiday festive time! For #kidlitartpostcard I drew the main characters from my tween graphic novel project in crafty “ugly sweaters.” They’re both collectors, so I imagined them laughing in a corner of the secondhand shop where she works, sifting through old buttons. SadeeSchilling.com

Colorful kidlit holiday illustration comic character sketch by Sadee Schilling of two tweens dressed festively in homemade “ugly sweaters.” The girl wears a pink, red and white sporty-style jacket that has been newly styled with large red buttons, red and white striped twine, and gold star buttons at the sleeves. She has stars in her auburn hair, ribbons spilling from the pocket of her blue cargo pants, and is holding a homemade wreath made of buttons. The boy elbows her playfully as he makes his sweater jingle—it is covered in golden bells with green striped ribbons and a tinsel Christmas tree decorated in buttons. He also wears greenery as “antlers” and a “belt” of golden tinsel tied jauntily around his waist.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

I’m getting to know these characters from my tween GN project and decided to have them get crafty to decorate some “ugly sweaters” together. Of course, they had to use lots of #buttons for this month’s #SCBWIdrawthis prompt! #scbwiillustrators #kidlitart

Kidlit illustration comic character sketch by Sadee Schilling of two tweens dressed festively in homemade “ugly sweaters.” The girl wears a pink, red and white sporty-style jacket that has been newly styled with large red buttons, red and white striped twine, and gold star buttons at the sleeves. She has stars in her auburn hair, ribbons spilling from the pocket of her blue cargo pants, and is holding a homemade wreath made of buttons. The boy elbows her playfully as he makes his sweater jingle—it is covered in golden bells with green striped ribbons and a tinsel Christmas tree decorated in buttons. He also wears greenery as “antlers” and a “belt” of golden tinsel tied jauntily around his waist.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Couldn’t resist updating this favorite with an elusive white rabbit to celebrate the fluffy tail-end of fall! I have lots of ideas brewing & this time of the year is my fav time to cozy up & dream of making magical kidlit projects with an agent/AD/editor team. #kidlitartpostcard SadeeSchilling.com

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling in graphite and charcoal plus digital color. A glowing nighttime scene in blues and violets with a young girl in a wheelchair wearing a bunny costume. She spies three real rabbits in the pumpkin patch while soft lights hang amongst golden leaves and fiery lights twinkle among the sage blossoms.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

I’ve been regulating my nervous system this week and warming up for a commission with this new great-horned owl cut paper #collage. It’s likely one of the only #calmtober prompts I’ll get to, though I’m still enjoying everyone else’s illustrations! #watercolor #cutpaper #owl #calmtober25

Great Horned Owl art by Sadee Schilling rendered in watercolor and cut paper collage. The artist holds the finished assemblage with detailed, layered feathers and textured watercolor washes in earthy blues, violets, and browns. A watercolor painting of a tree in a similar color palette peeks out from behind the owl.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

It’s midnight tea-time but Luna’s catmint jar is empty. 10 FRISKY WHISKERS should be enough energy for a trip to the garden. But spooky frights & chatty delays wilt whiskers like wet noodles. Luna feels a meltdown coming—what will her friends think? Surprises & kindness await. #dvpit #PB #OWN #dvart

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

It’s midnight tea-time but the catmint jar is empty. Luna’s ten frisky whiskers should be enough energy for a trip to the garden. But spooky frights & chatty friends wilt whiskers like wet noodles. Luna feels a meltdown coming—what will her friends think? A surprise & understanding await #dvpit #PB

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling rendered in soft graphite and charcoal with a subtle watercolor wash of violets. Two owls perch upon a clothesline on an atmospheric rooftop. “Whooo goes there,” one of them asks, when they see their kitty friend pass by. The cat wears a pink beret and looks startled. Unseen by the cat, the owls hold a party invitation and a gift.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Luna needs tea! 10 frisky whiskers should be enough energy for a trip to restock on catmint. But chatty friends & overstimulating delays wilt whiskers like wet noodles. Force a smile & push on or run home to meltdown? What will her friends think? Meanwhile, care & understanding await #dvpit #PB #OWN

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling rendered in graphite and charcoal with limited pops of violet and pink. Three sweet opossums play piggyback to help an adorable kitty character wrap herself in a fluffy scarf, which matches the beret she already wears. One opossum balances a stack of party hats on his tail, hidden from the kitty’s view.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Here’s a spread from my latest dummy (a PB with neurodivergence rep!) for #kidlitartpostcard today. I enjoy illustrating animals & atmospheric settings for PBs & MG (my own GN is in the works). I’d love to line up more creative projects; agents, editors, art directors, please be in touch! 🌟

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling in graphite and charcoal plus collage and digital color. A dusky violet rooftop scene with two shadowy owls sitting on a clothesline, hooting, “whoooo goes there?” Startled, a kitten who is passing by in a pink beret looks on anxiously. She doesn’t know that hidden on the other side of the clothesline is a wrapped gift and a surprise party invitation.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

A Christmas book would be fun to illustrate! Here are two dusky fall/magical/mysterious nighttime scenes in violet tones. I would be super comfortable with a wintery holiday color palette too! Thanks for the opportunity, Brian.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

A sneak peek at what’s on the drawing board—another scene with my owls from today’s #kidlitartpostcard. I’m really enjoying the mysterious vibe of this PB dummy!

Sneak peek of a children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling on the drawing board. Rendered in graphite and charcoal, two owls chat in the foreground of an urban nighttime scene, perched on a clothesline and hiding a gift while sharing a knowing look. In the background, a cat character looks startled and anxious.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Happy September #kidlitartpostcard day! So begins the season of moody skies & mysteries, initiated here by whispering barn owls. It’s no secret that I seek agent, editor, AD connections & PB, chapter book & MG projects. I’m also pitching a PB dummy with nocturnal animals soon! SadeeSchilling.com

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling in charcoal and graphite depicting two adorable barn owls sharing a secret. One holds up a wing to shield his whispers while the other tucks a pink gift wrapped with orange ribbon behind his back. They perch on a clothesline festively striped in gold against a moody violet sky.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Oops, I hit post before writing a caption on my first image. I’m in the midst of a mixed media experiment for my newest PB dummy in-progress…and having a lot of fun with this process!!!

Children’s book illustration sketch in-progress of a cat surrounded by skunks holding bouquets of flowers. The cat looks like she’s overwhelmed by the mixture of scents and is about to have a meltdown! The image shows a graphite drawing of the animals overlaid by a sheet of tracing paper where collaged flowers have been arranged in the arms of the skunks.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

The piece I posted for #kidlitartpostcard has been in a drawer since it fell off the wall in my studio during the summer temperature shift (painted brick makes it challenging to get artwork to stick!). I got it out today to admire delicate collage details up close & make sure nothing came unglued!

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Here’s a little mystery writer & her helpful owl friend for #kidlitartpostcard! I work in a variety of media to illustrate creative kids connecting to the beauty of nature & to their own gorgeous imaginations. I’m open to projects across the #kidlit spectrum! Portfolio: SadeeSchilling.com

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling of a young girl with golden hair and a jaunty little hat with a feather writing at a crowded desk with a quill. She is surrounded by stacks of paper, crumpled paper, plus items which lend an air of spookiness: an ornate candlestick, a black crystal tower, a magnifying glass, and ink dripped from a well where she’s been sipping her quill. An owl stands over her atop a stack of books (texts about mystery writing and poetry idles). The owl spreads his wings impatiently and hoots, “Who?” He wants to know the answer to the mystery the girl is writing!

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Rainshine. Like the way life is heavy & beautiful at once. This #kidlitartpostcard day, I’m finding sunshine in the people I love—I hope you are too! As an illustrator who specializes in stories about wrangling big emotions, I create characters who discover that small is mighty & tender is strong.

Children’s book illustration of two kids (sisters) hugging under a red umbrella in the middle of a rainstorm. Part of the storm is a scribbly, smiling cloud with cut-out raindrops, resembling a child’s artwork. The taller child with darker hair basks in the reflected glow of the smaller blonde child, who emanates golden light as if she were sunshine itself.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m an artist & illustrator who loves to experiment with media as well as write stories of my own. I’m playing with an artsy animal PB project in my collage style this summer & having a blast! Agents, editors, art directors—I’d love to connect. www.SadeeSchilling.com

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

A joyful companion to my earlier and moodier #kidlitartpostcard, this piece highlights my love for painting landscapes and for depicting the tender bonds of family and friendship that can help make childhood magical. www.SadeeSchilling.com SadeeSchilling@gmail.com

Children’s book illustration in gold and spring pastels depicting a little girl red box and her Papa fox hopping the fence to go fishing. A pond with cattails lies in the distance, surrounded by violet hills and reflecting the pink sky at sunrise.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Hello #kidlitartpostcard! I love creating cozy stories about relationships built within the beauty of nature and connecting with loved ones close by and far away. I am an author-illustrator and excited to illustrate others’ stories too! Agents and editors, please reach out! www.SadeeSchilling.com

Children’s picture book art in nighttime blues and grayish violet, with a bit of soft glowing yellow. This illustration depicts a little red fox girl in her cozy bedroom burrow, holding a laptop computer. On the screen is a video call with her Papa fox who is working far away. He wears a camouflage style hat, suggesting military fatigues. Both touch their paws to the screen, saying goodbye for the night.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Here’s a companion piece for my #kidlitartpostcard from this morning—vignettes of kids enjoying nature, my favorite thing to draw! I’d love to illustrate middle grade characters like these and PBs too. I’m eager to find an agent and/or start on my next #kidlit project! www.sadeeschilling.com

Children’s book illustrations of three middle grade children in different scenarios, enjoying nature, drawn in graphite with limited shades of violet and pink. One girl in glasses and a bright yellow lion hat lets snails crawl over her hands. A boy in a ball cap admires butterflies and collects rocks, while a blonde girl picks flowers and playfully puts pine cones on her head.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! My favorite art to make is the kind that celebrates the magic of childhood imagination within the very real majesty of nature. I’m open to both picture books and middle grade projects (plus seeking representation too). www.sadeeschilling.com

Children’s book illustration of three middle-grade children celebrating their friendship with a gentle, golden, winged lion. Created in graphite with a limited color palette of yellow and shades of violet.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

This sounds like a dream project! www.sadeeschilling.com

Children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling of children camping with their dog, among gray-violet boulders in a misty valley full of moss. Chipmunks peer out from their hiding places between the craggy rocks.

Children’s book illustration of a girl in a red hat fishing with her dad who wears green flannel and a blue hat. The viewer also sees under the water, where three large fish—a bass, a bluegill and a yellow catfish—swim among brightly colored grasses and other pond plants.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Hi Brian, I was just working on this sweet fire engine’s story today! 🚒

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

A dreamy #kidlitart landscape on my desk this weekend…with Papa fox and Little fox headed to their favorite fishing pond.

Children’s book illustration of a papa fox and little fox hopping a fence at the fishing pond. A dreamy scene with golden grass and rolling violet hills in the distance, created in watercolor with cut paper details.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Hi, I’m a neurodivergent artist who most loves to create with watercolor and cut paper. Illustrating #kidlit is my dream and I’m seeking an agent to help me finally break through! 💕

Children’s book illustration created in watercolor and cut paper collage. Three young musicians joyfully play instruments, including trumpet, snare drum, and double bass.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Little silver fox in a work-in-progress. I’m having so much fun with this watercolor and cut paper process! #kidlitart #illustration

Children’s book illustration of a young silver fox in pajamas, jumping on his bed with a string of stars in a cozy, softly lit fox den bedroom. Created with watercolor and cut paper.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

So the holidays are over…is it spring yet? #kidlitartpostcard I’m Sadee, a Colorado illustrator seeking #kidlit projects & rep. l ❤️ working mostly in #watercolor but experiment with mixing in other media like colored pencil (pictured here) graphite, & cut paper collage. I write my own books too!

Children’s book illustration of a cute red fire engine named Finn in four comic-inspired panels, making friends in the garden. First he’s sad, covered in water and leaves. Then he discovers a snail crawling on him, plus a spider and a firefly. Finally, a bird with a broken wing peeks from the rose bush overhead.

Children’s book illustration of a cute red fire engine named Finn discovering a new life in the rose garden. He has made friends with a spider whose web covers Finn’s back. Together they have rescued a bird with a broken wing, binding it in spider silk and giving her a place to rest, cradled in Finn’s ladder.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 05/10/2024

Here’s a moody red bird and dark violet morning glories for this early October day…

Botanical inspired fine art featuring a red bird with deep violet morning glories. Created in watercolor and cut paper collage by children’s book illustrator Sadee Schilling.

Close up of botanical inspired fine art featuring a red bird with deep violet morning glories. Created in watercolor and cut paper collage by children’s book illustrator Sadee Schilling.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 04/10/2024

Here are a couple of images where I’ve zoomed in to give a better idea of what the cut paper looks like. Creating work like this makes me so happy!

Children’s book illustration of a family hiking in a colorful mountain valley. Artwork is created with watercolor and cut paper collage.

Close up image of a children’s book illustration of a family hiking in a colorful mountain valley. Artwork is created with watercolor and cut paper collage. A boy holds a stone that matches the red rocks of the mountain landscape, while his sister runs ahead and his father carries an infant in a carrier on his back.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 04/10/2024

It’s #kidlitartpostcard day & my portfolio of watercolor + paper collage is officially joining my graphite + digital portfolio on my website! 🎉 l enjoy creating scenes of kids interacting with nature & would LOVE to work on a picture book in this style. Agents, editors & ADs, please be in touch!

Contemporary children’s book illustration by Sadee Schilling of a colorful, grand mountain scene in the distance with a family hiking in the foreground. A boy holds up a rock he’s found that matches the colors of the towering red rocks overhead. Created with watercolors and hand cut paper collage.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 23/09/2024

Happy Fall! Though I’m with these turtles and snails…slowly leaving summer behind. #watercolor #collage #illustration #kidlitart

A children’s book illustration of a rabbit sitting on a turtle’s back, reading a book. A baby turtle follows behind, stretching his neck to reach a strawberry from the plant also on the adult turtle’s back. The art was created in watercolor and collage.

A children’s book illustration of a baby turtle who carries a stack of books on his back and stretches his neck to eat a strawberry. Two yellow snails ride along. Art created in watercolor and collage.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

Just snapped another photo of this piece sparkling in the sunlight coming through my studio windows.☀️ #watercolor #collage #illustration #kidlitart

Photo of a children’s book illustration created with watercolor and cut paper collage. Two foxes are pictured, fishing in a colorful pond with two fishes smiling up at them.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 12/09/2024

Here’s a snippet of a larger piece from a PB dummy in-progress that I finished last week! Papa fox and Little fox fishing at their favorite pond… #watercolor #collage #kidlitart #illustration

Children’s book art illustration of a Papa fox fishing with a Little fox, his paws over hers showing her how to turn the reel on the fishing pole.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 01/07/2024

I'm slowly adding more dimensional, paper collage illustrations to my portfolio. The challenge is photographing (scanning totally flattens) & converting to digital without losing the depth and shadows. But the payoff is a joyful, tactile process that is so good for my brain! #kidlitart #illustration

Photographed at a close-up angle, this watercolor and paper collage children's book illustration entitled "Equinox" pictures a "sunflower" woman and a "moonflower" child, hugging. The background shows yellow and rust colored rays of sunshine next to a deep blue, starry sky.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 27/06/2024

I took my little snail outside so she could enjoy the rain soaked garden. When we lived near Hamburg 13 years ago, my daughters who were toddlers at the time could spot a yellow snail on a leaf from yards away! I see making a lot more of these cuties in my future. 🐌🐌🐌 #kidlitart

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 11/12/2023

I've been having so much fun with my fine art bird ornaments! To celebrate this last bustling week in the studio before my cozy winter pause, I'm offering 20% off everything in the shop with code STUDIOSALE20. www.sadeeschilling.com/shop

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 09/11/2023

My ginger kitty Buttercup has been assisting me with this #watercolor and cut paper #illustration inspired by her very own darling cuteness! #kidlitart #petportrait

Artwork of a cute white and ginger tabby cat with green eyes made from watercolor and cut paper.

Photo of a ginger and white tabby cat pawing at an illustrated pet portrait of herself that the artist holds out to show her.

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 30/10/2023

I have been thinking about how rocks, crystals, and gemstones are kind of like little mountains that I can hold in the palms of my hands... #watercolor #papercut #kidlitart

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Sadee Schilling @sadeeschilling.bsky.social · 24/10/2023

Recently I’m drawn back to childlike play in messy watercolors. Assembling beauty from scraps is always meditative for me & regulates my nervous system like nothing else. I’m making bird after bird, as if they’re wishes for comfort & prayers for peace. #scbwiartober2023 #watercolor #papercut #bird

Violet-green swallow, a paper-cut bird assembled from pieces of a messy watercolor painting with lots of drips and splatters. This image also shows the scraps of watercolor paper that the bird's feathers were cut from.

Violet-green swallow, a paper-cut bird assembled from pieces of a messy watercolor painting with lots of drips and splatters.

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