When You Need Wings
When You Need Wings
is now available!
The Making of When You Need Wings
Homes In The Wild
Creative Process Videos
Mary’s Monster
Teachers: Share the revision process with students through the Mary’s Monster Timeline
Penguin Flies Home
Penguin loves everything about flying: the wind beneath his wings, the song that rises from his belly, and the sight of new and wonderful places. Still, he misses his penguin friends in the South Pole. So, he flips and flaps back home, ready to teach them the magic of flight!
But when he arrives, his enthusiasm for flying doesn’t get quite the reaction he expected. Will Penguin’s friends still like him, even if they don’t share his soaring dreams?
My New Etsy Shop
A little part of me has always dreamed of living in the English countryside above a little shop where I could paint, and share creativity with whimsical pieces of art for sale. There’d be tea and cake, and shop kitties to greet everyone who entered! Alas, that will remain just a dream, but I’ve decided I can have an online shop. I can’t serve tea, but I can share creativity and art, and of course the kitties are here to greet everyone. So I’ve opened an Etsy shop. I invite you to check it out. Please bring your imagination, and a cup of tea (or coffee if that is your thing) and join me there.
Splitting and stacking wood is one of my favorite chores. Breathing in the crisp fall air and dreaming of my Wilder Farm Studio being cozy this winter.
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#woodpile #woodstacking #officefortheday #wanderlust #fallfun #autumn #getoutdoors #weekend #autumncolors #october #autumnleaves #LitaJudgeShop #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration #picturebook #illustrationforkids #watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #booklover #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #mommyblogger #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschooling #homeschoollife #kidsbookstagram
Oct 18
Just sharing a little painting clip today.
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#childrenbookillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #illustration #illustrationartists #animallovers #animalcreatives #Wanderlustart #fairytale #froggyart
Oct 16
Wishing you all a good morning hug on this beautiful fall day!
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#autumn #getoutdoors #autumncolors #october #autumnleaves #fallfun #LitaJudgeShop #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration #picturebook #illustrationforkids #watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart #booklover #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #mommyblogger #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschooling #homeschoollife #kidsbookstagram #catmom #mainecoon #catlove
Oct 14
The wonderful thing about being at a beginning of a book (the dream and sketch stage) is that my office for the day can be under a tree.
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#officefortheday #wanderlust #fallfun #autumn #getoutdoors #weekend #autumncolors #october #autumnleaves #LitaJudgeShop #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration #picturebook #illustrationforkids #watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart #booklover #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #mommyblogger #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschooling #homeschoollife #kidsbookstagram
Oct 12
It's a gorgeous fall day outside. This season always holds a special magic for me. Sharing a detail from my book, When You Need Wings. @SimonKids
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#fallfun #autumn #getoutdoors #weekend #autumncolors #october #autumnleaves
#WhenYouNeedWings #LitaJudgeShop #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration #picturebook #illustrationforkids #watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart #booklover
#creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #kidsroom #mommyblogger #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschooling #homeschoollife #kidsbookstagram
Oct 10
It’s the time of my annual studio tour. Dave and I always say it's our favorite weekend of the year. So after all the cancelled school visits and book tour, and publishing slow down, gathering with fellow art lovers is the event we're missing most. Instead, I put a virtual tour together to invite you in the best way I know how. I'll post some painting videos and art in the next couple of days. And if you feel like stopping at my Etsy shop, link in my bio.
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@simonkids
#Artisthome #Artiststudio #artiststudiospace
#picturebook #illustrationforkids #picturebookillustration #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart #creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #etsy #handmade #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #wanderlust
Oct 9
Just having some fun with some pups hitting the park. I have a really fun dog book in the works so I'm sketching a lot of dogs lately. This isn't in the book, but catching my puppy rythm. litajudge In preparation for working on my book about dogs, I'm giving myself the freedom to just play and paint with dogs! Their expressions - so much fun!
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.#childrenbookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #handmade #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #illustration #animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #dogs #dogstagram #doglovers #ilovedogs #loveyourpet #doglife #gooddog #lovepets #petlovers #fallfun #mommyblogger
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Oct 8
I haven't had a chance to draw Pantalaimon, my little mouse rescue baby - his little self needs a lot of feeding right now, but soon! So I'm sharing an early painting of a mouse!
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.#childrenillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #fairytale #animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #mouselove #cutemice
Oct 7
I took a couple of days off from posting art because I’m taking care of a rescue mouseling. Meet Pan! Short for Pantalaimon. He’s up to .15 ounces and eating his baby formula round the clock! I didn’t want to post till he was stronger, but this little fellow has spunk. .
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#childrenillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #fairytale #animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #mouselove #cutemice
Oct 6
Walking through an ancient wood in search of a setting for my next picture book, I found these treasures in a forgotten orchard. I love dreaming and thinking about what next to create.
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#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration #picturebook #illustrationforkids #watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #etsy #handmade #kidsroom #kidsroomdecor #fairytale#Wanderlustart #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram #kidlitauthor #homeschool #homeschoolmom
Oct 5
Sometimes it feels like we are all just trying to keep our heads up and find our way through these times. I try to keep my head up by creating and hope it shares a little light with others.
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#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration #picturebook #illustrationforkids #watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #etsy #handmade #kidsroom #kidsroomdecor #fairytale#Wanderlustart #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram #homeschoolroom #kidlitauthor #homeschool #homeschoolmom
Oct 2
I bet you can guess just how much I loved that Queen Anne's Lace finally decided to grow in my garden!
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#childrenillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #fairytale #animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #mouselove #cutemice
Sep 30
In preparation for working on my book about dogs, I'm giving myself the freedom to just play and paint with dogs! Their expressions - so much fun!
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.#childrenbookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #handmade #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #illustration #animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #dogs #dogstagram #doglovers #ilovedogs #loveyourpet #doglife #gooddog #lovepets #petlovers #petportrait #petportraitartist
Sep 27
I've had a few people message me in the past week about whether I have any art available from my book, When You Need Wings. Yes! I have both originals and prints. Follow the link in my bio to my Etsy shop. I'll be loading more soon too😊
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#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration
#watercolorpainting #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationartists #characterdesign #characterart
#creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #etsy #handmade #kidsroom #kidsroomdecor #booklover
#animallovers #animalcreatives #animalsofinstagram #catlover #Wanderlustart #fairytale #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram
Sep 23
So many days this year, it feels like we are trapped, not able to be with people we love. But somedays, there are moments of complete contentment, when it feels like the music playing is just right, the warm tea is just right, the quiet aloneness is just right. That is how it felt painting this little hedgehog. I hope it makes someone feel the “just right” of their own day.
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#childrenbookillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #illustration #illustrationartists #animallovers #animalcreatives #fairytale #hedgehogs #hedgehoglove
Sep 22
From my studio - I painted three wobbly, unispired paintings in a row because I was putting too much pressure on myself, and then I grabbed a stray piece of watercolor paper and this little guy popped onto my easel. Sometimes magic happens when you let go and relax. Hope this brings a smile to everyone on this Monday morning.
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#childrenbookillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #illustration #illustrationartists #animallovers #animalcreatives #Wanderlustart #fairytale #froggyart
Sep 21
What's happening in my studio - I've been painting away, so it is always fun to turn back to porcelain. Here is a little wee character in progress. Even in tough times, sculpting really calms my mind and heart. I think you have to focus so much on bringing a little character to life, other things you are carrying around drop away. Plus, hands in mud, it's FUN!
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#childrenbookillustration #childrenillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #ceramics #sculptureart #sculpt #mouse
Sep 20
I've got a bunch of to..do's that will keep me from my easel most of the day, so I painted this just to start my day in a loose and playful way. I find that trying to draw or paint, even if it's a little thing everyday, are really key to keeping my imagination flowing.
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#childrenbookillustration #childrenillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #booklover #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #badger #skunk #animallovers #animalcreatives
Sep 18
Dreaming of travel sketching again...someday! Dordogne, France, one of the best days ever!
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#childrenbookillustration #childrenillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #booklover #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #Creativespaces #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #vintage #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #travelsketching #travelsketchbooks #travelsketchbookart
Sep 17
My Willow girl sits on the porch hour after hour with a far off expression, but I think this is where she is in her mind. I'm calling this "Willow Kitty Hits the Pond." Just put it up on my Etsy shop. You can follow a link in my bio 😊
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#childrenbookillustration #childrenillustration #picturebookillustration #kidslitart #kidlit #kidlitillustration #booklover #Watercolor #characterdesign #Characterart #creativesoul #creativespirit #creativesofinstagram #creativesshop #kidsroom #makersandthinkers #etsy #handmade #litajudgeshop #etsyseller #etsyfinds #etsygifts #kidsroom #illustration #illustrationartists #maincooncat #loveyourpet #catlover #lovepets #petlovers
Sep 16
