Image top: story time at Squishy Minnie, image by Lucky. Image below: my messy studio, image by Penny Lane.

Hello there, thanks for visiting! A little bit about me… I’m a children’s book lover, draw-er and reader based in Melbourne, who also creates work for card companies, picture books, original paintings, prints and all types of different client projects. I love watercolours, but getting more and more into combining digital work and tinker with oils, pencils and other bits and bobs I can get my mitts on.

I worked in publishing sales for many years and finally began my dream of working on the creative side of picture books after having kids. I’m a member of Style File, SCBWI and Illustrators Australia’s.

Recently I joined the wonderful Australian agency Jacinta DiMase, who can handle book enquiries directly.

Recent awards include:

• CBCA Notable Picture Book of the Year for Merry Everything (written by Tania McCartney and published by Windy Hollow) 2018
• Excellence Award Winner – theme illustration at the Frankfurt Bookfair / Illusalon awards 2017
• CBCA lNotable Picture Book of the Year for Smile Cry (written by Tania McCartney and published by EK Books) 2017
• Crystal Kite Winner for Australia/NZ – SCBWI 2017
• MATS Home Decor Video Winner 2016
• Semi Finalist in the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search 2016
• Highly commended in the Illustrator Australia Awards 2015
• Finalist in the Etsy Design Awards 2014
• Scholarship winner for Big Hearted Business Conference 2014
• Finalist in the Kids Book Review Illustration Competition 2014, Runner up in 2015
• Luerzer’s Archive “200 Best Illustrators of the World 13/14”

Selected clients include:

• Affirm Press
• Allen and Unwin
• Penguin Random House/Puffin
• Omnibus/Scholastic
• Better Reading
• The Five Mile Press
• Hallmark
• Papyrus
• Nuovo Group
• Windy Hollow
• Erstwilder
• Cengage Learning
• Little Sticker Boy
• Exisle Publishing
• Australian Childhood Foundation

To see some of my work, take a peek at my portfolio and check out Jesses Mess Etsy store. Or get in touch to discuss your project.

Some recent little features and articles:

Creative Women’s Circle – https://www.creativewomenscircle.com.au/creative-womens-circle/interview-and-studio-visit-with-jess-racklyeft

Finalist – Etsy Awards

A little overview of my studio at: http://astound.us/about-us/inside-artists-studio-jess-racklyeft/

Big Kids Magazine Illustration

Etsy Front Page

Luerzer’s Archive “Best Illustrators of the World” 13/14 Edition

Etsy Feature

Poster Design

KBR Interview

Six by Eight Interview

Semi Permanent’s Annual themed on Evolution

Fat Mum Slim feature artwork. http://fatmumslim.com.au/photo-a-day-challenge-week-20/

ACT Writers Blog

Real Wedding Special, Produced by Hello May

Hello Magazine Feature

Herald Sun Home Magazine Ed Pick

Introductions from ’52 Week Challenge: http://illo52weeks.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/meet-challenge-admin-jess-racklyeft.html

The Collective Magazine