Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
@polinagortman.bsky.social
500 followers 520 following 210 posts
Picture book maker • Reader & star gazer 📚SPRING IS FOR STRAWBERRIES ’23 📚WIDE OPEN SPACES ‘26 📑 Rep’d by Lynnette Novak / Seymour Agency 📍PNW🌲 www.gortmanillustration.com
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polinagortman.bsky.social
Hello #kidlitartpostcard!

🍓I’m interested in quirky fantasy stories for kids
🍓I’m repped by Lynnette Novak at @seymouragency.bsky.social
🍓View more of my work here www.gortmanillustration.com
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
weyakindesigns.bsky.social
FYI for illustrators about yet, another scam. #kidlit
brianlarossa.com
An illustrator alerted me to the attached email. Someone is impersonating me! Offering #kidlit illustrators fake deals!

This is not me! The deal-structure/schedule is insane. The deadline is quite friendly?! 10 picture books in 3 years?!

Please let me know if you receive an email like this!
A fake email offering a fake deal.
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
emmabolden.bsky.social
working on an immortality spell just to get through my to-be-read pile
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
wfgworkshop.bsky.social
At the Voyager’s Workshop, I specialize in handcrafted custom maps and fantasy storytelling art. To find out more about what services I offer and how I go about helping you tell meaningful stories, visit me at thevoyagersworkshop.com !

#ttrpg #mapmaking #handmade #cartography #fantasyart #noai
A closeup of a handcrafted fantasy world map featuring lots of storytelling seed and inspirational landscapes.
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
polinagortman.bsky.social
Fascinating ✨
science.org
A 2024 study found that ants best humans at tests of collective intelligence.

Learn more on #WorldAnimalDay: https://scim.ag/42nMvQJ
polinagortman.bsky.social
Hey #kidlitartpostcard!

🍁I’m interested in picture books, early reader books
🍁I’m repped by Lynnette Novak at @seymouragency.bsky.social
🍁View more of my work here www.gortmanillustration.com
Illustration from How To Start a Food-Free Fun Club by Emily Duty (2023)
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
alioop7.bsky.social
Unapologetically read what gives you joy and strength and ignites a fire inside. Arm yourself with facts, with stories, with possibilities. There are those who don’t want you to know all you can be. Who want to imprison you with woe. They want you small. Devour words and build to dizzying heights.
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
ginaperry.bsky.social
Good thread on how publishing payments are structured. Brace yourself.
stephcampisi.bsky.social
on publication payment 🙌 going to treat myself to paying some bills
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
troystory.bsky.social
If you're not reading picture books, you're doing it wrong.
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
snacksafely.bsky.social
Super exciting news from Cincinnati Children's about a new approach to treat allergic diseases, including #foodallergies, by reshaping the immune system with mRNA.
snacksafely.com/2025/09/nano...
Nanoparticle Based Vaccines to Treat, Prevent Severe Allergic Reactions
Novel approach could apply to multiple types of allergy, including food allergies
snacksafely.com
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
orkneylibrary.bsky.social
Today is #HobbitDay because both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins were born on September 22nd. Normally we'd shire a hobbit pun or two but it might just feel like a tolkien gesture and we don't want to embarrass our elves. Anyway come and boromir #Tolkien books.
A shelf of books by JRR Tolkien
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
reactorsff.bsky.social
"When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton."

Happy Hobbit Day, and happy birthday Bilbo and Frodo!

#LOTR
A screencap from the Fellowship of the Ring: Bilbo Baggins' birthday party. A crowd of hobbits are celebrating under a banner that reads Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
debbiefong.com
Today's the day! THE FARAWAY FOREST is finally hitting shelves everywhere 💖 If you're looking for a cozy & comforting story, I hope you'll consider picking up a copy for yourself or a young reader in your life! 🌲📮

Order links: www.debbiefong.com/thefarawayfo... 💌
#kidlit #bookbirthday
Cover of THE FARAWAY FOREST: Wally's Route, a colorful graphic novel chapter book about a raccoon mail carrier and his best friend Bo (white rabbit)
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
imaginationsoup.bsky.social
The author of The Penderwicks series, Jeanne Birdsall, has a new book, THE LIBRARY OF UNRULY TREASURES. In our interview, she talks about writing a new series, world-building, what she hopes her books give to readers, and more. imaginationsoup.net/author-inter... #authorinterview #kidlit
Author Interview with Jeanne Birdsall - Imagination Soup
Anyone else a HUGE fan of The Penderwicks series, the series about a family with four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy? The...
imaginationsoup.net
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
brianlarossa.com
Hey #kidlit illustrators!

We’re beginning to think through a mythology-themed beginning-reader series. I'm looking for someone w/ a commercial/punchy, character-forward style who can breath life into ancient lore.

Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.

💙❤️ #artcommissions
polinagortman.bsky.social
Artists! Quote with your night art!

#kidlitart #illustration
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
gabbycorreia.bsky.social
Your unique voice matters. In this fast pace world, overtaken by AI, side hustles and passive income. Be the passion. Let your story shine through your art. Be a child again, and play. #kidlitartist #arttips #kidlit #yourvoicematters #artmotivation #inspirationalquotes
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
bcmerchant.bsky.social
Freelance illustration gigs drying up. Ad agencies using Midjourney instead of hiring human artists. Costume design turned over to AI wholesale. Good work vanishing.

These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
Artists are losing work, wages, and hope as bosses and clients embrace AI
Visual artists, illustrators and graphic designers share their stories about how AI is being used to lower wages, degrade work and even replace it altogether, in this installment of AI Killed My Job.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
Reposted by Polina Gortman 🎨 | Illustrator
wendyxu.bsky.social
honestly did not think i was going to make a new brush so soon but the pentel floatune 05 is such a beautiful analog experience i wanted to replicate it for ipad. I think I got the smoothness of drawing with it down. free for the week but as always tips welcome!

ko-fi.com/s/c9fa7ed658
ballpoint doodle pen cover sheet
polinagortman.bsky.social
Hot tip for Procreate 5.4: When you create new brush collections and start pulling brush sets from the Classic Library, make sure to make a note/screenshot of your *old pinned recent brushes*, because they are not going to be in the list once you move the brush sets to their new destination.