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 Shortlisted for Picture Book of the Year and Notable for the Eve Pownell Award for Iceberg (written by Claire Saxby and published by Allen and Unwin) 2022
- Long listed for the Indie Book Awards for Welcome Baby (published by Affirm Press) 2020
- 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 Notable 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.
Thanks Majorie, you too! Great to meet you and thanks for visiting here – love your colourful work.