Shawna Galey Avanessian
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shawnazilla.bsky.social
Shawna Galey Avanessian
@shawnazilla.bsky.social
61 followers 42 following 45 posts
Children’s book writer and illustrator
Magic maker 🪄
Seeking representation
www.shawnazilla.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
debbieohi.com
For those who do care about what's happening in the world, but who sometimes need an #Uplift:

bsky.app/profile/debb...

Hand-curated by yours truly. Criteria unapologetically subjective, but esp: word nerds • acts of kindness • crafty • obscure interest deep-dives • alt-text
November 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
New stuff and a little detail. But I need a break from #kidlit and the #querytrenches. I’ll fill up my portfolio with new stuff in 2026, but I want to focus on making beautiful art for interested buyers. It’s been quite a handful of years and a breather will be nice 😌
#kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard
November 29, 2025 at 3:41 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Happy Halloween 💀🎃🐈‍⬛

#illustration #kidlitart #halloween #cat
#gif
October 31, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
brianlarossa.com
My whole heart goes out to anyone who is putting *their whole heart* into making things that matter to them and trying with all their might to share those things with other people. Expressing the truth is worthy fight. The true value gain is knowledge of self.

This too is an act of resistance.
October 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
It’s Halloween week! Do you have your costume yet? This year I’m a grey Victorian ghost 👻

#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #watercolor #halloween #graveyard
A illustration of a Halloween costume party, for bugs! They are all gathered in an old New England cemetery. There are lights streamed across the old gravestones, with all different sorts of bugs in costumes. There is a ladybug holding up its vampire cape, two earthworms, one dressed as Frankenstein’s monster, the other his bride. There is a queen spider, a rhino beetle with a unicorn horn, ants with witch hats, mosquitos with wizard hats, a praying mantis dressed as an angel. Above are ghost flies.
October 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m looking for rep as an author/illustrator and have a stack of projects to share!
Www.shawnazilla.com
A watercolor illustration of a little witch reading a book while leaning against a giant toad in the forest
October 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
zddochterman.bsky.social
Your random Junji Ito update.

Such a mind for horror--where the most intimate, personal, and vulnerable clashes with the bizarre.
#ito #junjiito

Thanks @shawnazilla.bsky.social!
Junji Ito Smashed book cover of bizarre woman's head with teeth underneath.
September 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
penamerica.bsky.social
An “Extraordinary Assault” on Free Speech: FCC Threats Mark a “Dark New Level of Capitulation” and Escalation of Government-Instigated Censorship Over Jimmy Kimmel, PEN America Warns
pen.org/press-releas... #FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment
FCC Threats Mark a “Dark New Level  of Capitulation” and Escalation of Government-Instigated Censorship Over Jimmy Kimmel, PEN America Warns
PEN America warned today of a significant escalation of threats to free speech after Disney-owned ABC indefinitely pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air.
pen.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
I heard today was #grandparentsday! I lost all my grandparents when I was younger, but still remember the impact they had on me ❤️
#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration
A watercolor illustration of a grandmother and grandson as they sit in a garden of flowers, looking at each other knowingly. The grandmother has a hand on the grandson’s shoulder. It looks as if they planted a new seed.
September 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Unrequited love ❤️
I’m seeking rep and love to draw kids, interiors, and silly lookin’ anthropomorphic animals, but up to drawing most things. Did I mention I’m a writer too? I’ve got a handful of dummies, and if you love hijinks and magic, you might wanna take a look.
#KidLitArtPostcard #kidlitart
A girl with a brown hair, pink shirt, and green pants, with eyes closed and puckered lips, holds up her cat who is frowning and has wide eyes. The cat is tan/brown with a white belly, and has a green collar. To the side there is text information: Shawna Galey Avanessian. Author/illustrator. Seeking representation. Www.shawnazilla.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
nadinetakvorian.bsky.social
✨COVER REVEAL✨ of my debut YA graphic novel ARMAVENI coming April 14, 2026 with Levine Querido.

☀️ A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

📚 PREORDERS are now available. Link in bio!

#armavenigraphicnovel #levinequerido #coverreaveal #graphicnovel #armenian
An illustrated book cover with a decorative blue border and two girls’ faces gazing at us from within the border. A single white palm frond separates them.
September 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
brianlarossa.com
Who is your favorite picture book character? I’ll go first.
#kidlit
Ferdinand smelling a flower with a butterfly.
August 28, 2025 at 9:41 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
As someone who wakes up daily to gun violence news, I’m of the “radical” mind that guns just probably shouldn’t exist. But the US’s obsession with “being a good guy with a gun” will always be more important than your actual safety 🙄
August 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
ginaperry.bsky.social
Fair notice to #kidlit - next Thursday is a KidLitArtPostcard day! September is typically a very active month for posting and browsing. Spread the word so we get a good turnout from illustrators, editors, art directors, and agents! www.ginaperry.com/postcard
All about KidLitArtPostcard — Gina Perry Illustrations
www.ginaperry.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:15 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
I’ve been hunkering down and quietly working on dummies. Now I quietly wait months and months to see how this round of queries goes. And in the meantime I have more story ideas and hope to post more one-off illustrations 🤞🏻

#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #illustration
Watercolor illustration of a smiling tiger wearing a crown and holding up a tea cup.
August 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Shawna Galey Avanessian
grickle.bsky.social
United in fun. #grickledoodle #cats #dogs #pets #mice #trampoline #cartoon #art #drawing #funny
A cartoon illustration of a dog, cat, and mice all enjoying jumping on a trampoline outside. Caption reads "It was agreed that all differences were to be put aside momentarily to try out the new trampoline."
August 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Hi #kidlitartpostcard I’m on a little staycation right now 😎 But, I’m a writer and illustrator looking for work… and representation! I love to draw silly and sweet characters of all kinds. Checkout my website if you’re interested: www.shawnazilla.com
shawnazilla.bsky.social Shawna Galey Avanessian @shawnazilla.bsky.social · Apr 3
Hello hello!
I’m Shawna a #kidlit #writer and #illustrator seeking rep. I love drawing nature, kids, and silly animals. I’m a traditional artist who loves watercolor, texture, and emotion. I hope to catch the eye of editors, art directors, and/or agents.
Stop by and say hello!
#kidlitartpostcard
Art postcard of a watercolor illustration where three kids are helping a red headed girl climb a tree.
June 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
A character sheet for a new #picturebook idea I’ve just started working on. I’m very excited about this new project. And yes, I know about cotton and tail being separate words, heh heh 😅
#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #characterdesign
Digital cartoon sketches of a toad, frog, snake, turtle, owl, salamander, cottontail rabbit, and bat
May 29, 2025 at 4:45 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
I didn’t even realize that it is/was #worldbeeday !!
In my mind, the bee depicted here is a native bee which often don’t have stingers or have small stingers. They also don’t produce honey but they are some of the best lil’ pollinators around town!
Also, correct me if I’m wrong 😂
shawnazilla.bsky.social Shawna Galey Avanessian @shawnazilla.bsky.social · May 20
A chunky hummingbird and their friend, a happy bee. The plant is native SoCal yarrow. A few years ago I got into native plants and how important they are to help support the biodiversity of our planet. So if you want to keep critters happy, plant native plants!

#kidlitart #nativeplants
A watercolor illustration depicting a happy hummingbird with a happy bee perched on its beak. In the background there are white yarrow flowers.
May 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
A chunky hummingbird and their friend, a happy bee. The plant is native SoCal yarrow. A few years ago I got into native plants and how important they are to help support the biodiversity of our planet. So if you want to keep critters happy, plant native plants!

#kidlitart #nativeplants
A watercolor illustration depicting a happy hummingbird with a happy bee perched on its beak. In the background there are white yarrow flowers.
May 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Oh wow- it’s #kidlitartpostcard Day! I’m a traditional illustrator who also writes #picturebooks and seeking representation.
Website: www.shawnazilla.com
Insta: @shawnazilla

I’m currently working on color selection for some final spreads of a new dummy.
Feel free to stop by and say hello 😎
Watercolor illustration of a dad, daughter, and son enjoying a book under the light of a lamp, while their dog and cat listen in. Details of artist listed to the side of image: Shawna Galey Avanessian- illustrator and writer. Www.shawnazilla.com @shawnazilla
May 1, 2025 at 9:28 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Hello hello!
I’m Shawna a #kidlit #writer and #illustrator seeking rep. I love drawing nature, kids, and silly animals. I’m a traditional artist who loves watercolor, texture, and emotion. I hope to catch the eye of editors, art directors, and/or agents.
Stop by and say hello!
#kidlitartpostcard
Art postcard of a watercolor illustration where three kids are helping a red headed girl climb a tree.
April 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
What it takes to get through the day sometimes.
☕️🫖🧋
#processillustration #photoshop #kidlitart #sketch
A digital illustration of a princess on the ground crazily pouring tea from a tea pot into her mouth. Beside her is a spilled cup of tea and pieces of broken plates.
March 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
This is your sign to head to the desert before it gets too hot
March 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
shawnazilla.bsky.social
Every day I work like I already have a career as a picture book author/illustrator 😂 That’s the creative life for you!
#querytrenches #kidlitart #illustration #picturebooks #process
Photograph of a drawing being done in Photoshop.
March 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM