Picture book illustration of three animal pirate characters in a tropical jungle. The beaver is stuck in a giant spider web, and the flamingo is trying to pull the bear out of the mud using a jungle vine.

Ah, Spring… the season of mud, potholes, and fresh spiderwebs. 🌼🕸️🌧️

Happy April #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m Mark Wilson, a freelance author/illustrator represented by @acolvincreative and currently based in Upstate NY.

#kidlitart #kidlitillustration #childrensbooks #picturebookillustration

It’s time for vintage book week where we draw vintage book covers in our style!
Today’s cover is Bongo.

#kidlitart #kidlitillustrator

A textured digital, hand drawn illustration of two kids dressed as knights in cardboard armor looking up at another kid in a cardboard dragon costume who has captured their cat and dressed it up as a princess.

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m Mark Wilson, an author and illustrator. I’m looking to work on adventurous, whimsical, and downright hilarious projects. I am rep’d for books, interior illustrations, and covers by @acolvincreative

#kidlitart #childrensbooks #illustration #kidlitillustration

That feeling when you're able to quit a creatively oppressive and toxic day job to pursue your dream of full-time illustration.

I've taken the plunge into freelance! I'll be specializing in picture books but available for simpler illustration needs, as well!

#kidlitillustrator #picturebooks

Textured hand drawn digital illustration of a hamster astronaut that had crash landed his cardboard rocket ship in a sandbox

Major Hubble to Ground Control: Due to an unexpected abnormality (possibly gravity,) my destination has transitioned from ‘The Moon’ to… the sandbox. I will claim this uncharted territory for hamster-kind. Send pellets.

#kidlitartpostcard #scbwiny26 #kidlitart

Leave the coal. Take the milk and cookies.

Santa never gets his hands dirty with the naughty list.
#naughtylist #kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #christmaseve

Picture book cover illustration of a grumpy ballerina standing center stage. In the background are houses and trees against a sunset and the silhouette of a leaping lizard monster wearing a tutu.

I'm a little late for #kidlitartpostcard day, but for good reason! I've been buried in client work on top of honing my author-illustrator skills in a mentorship with the Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency! Planning on having a dummy for "Bad Mood Ballet" ready for #SCBWI in NYC in January! #kidlitart

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day for November!

Big news with this one! I’m officially throwing my hat into the author-illustrator ring!
Under the tutelage of the wonderful team at @carolinewakemanliterary I’ll have a polished manuscript and book dummy ready for display at the @scbwi NY conference!

Inktober Day 10: Sweep

Eh, it's a living...

#inktober2025 #inktober #inktobear #inktobear2025 #inktobersweep

Inktober Day 9: HEAVY

Eat. Nap. Repeat.

#Inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberheavy #inktobear #kidlitart

Inktober Day 8: Reckless

What you see here is the bear minimum in lab safety.

#inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberreckless #inktobear #kidlitartist #scbwiillustrators #kidlitart

Inktober Day 7: Starfish

Did you know that starfish are considered apex predators compared to bears?... well compared to THIS bear, at least.

#inktober #inktober2025 #kidlitart

Quick character warm-up before diving into client work! #kidlitartist #characterdesign #scbwi #kidlitart #pig

Hand drawn ink illustration of a simple-shaped bear with a blank stare holding a spear that has skewered three different-sized fish.

#Inktober Day 6: Pierce

Who's up for a little fish-kebab?!

#inktober2025 #kidlitart #kidlit

Inktober Day 5: Deer

Neither remember WHY they met every Thursday for lattes, only that they DID.

#inktober #inktober2025 #inktobear #inktoberdeer #kitlitart

A little recap of the first 4 Inktober prompts! Decided to keep it simple this year due to all the irons I've got in the fire at the moment!
#inktober #inktober2025 #kidlitart #inktobear

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m an author-illustrator who loves to dive into the deep questions like “where do pumpkin spice lattes come from?”

I’m booked through the end of the 2025, but am open to projects in March 2026!

Thank you so much, Laurie! ❤️

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I'm a freelance illustrator specializing in picture books that are as heart-warming as they are hilarious!
I'm booked through the end of this year, but still have room in 2026 and am seeking representation! #kidlit #kidlitart #scbwi

The Hunt for Moby Duck: A tale of feathers, fury, and a fowl obsession.

#kidlit #kidlitart #coverdesign

Whimsical textured illustration of a cow being abducted by a hamburger shaped ufo

Hey everyone! Another #kidlitartpostcard day is upon us! I’m an illustrator with an endless supply of quirky and/or heartwarming stories to tell in the world of picture books!

Currently buried in freelance work (yay, popularity!), but I’m still open to representation! #kidlitartist

Textured illustration of a bipedal shark happily walking along a pier on a foggy night, lit by an old streetlamp. He is playing an accordion with a big smile on his face.

They say if you’re out on the pier late at night when the fog rolls in, you might hear it. Not the crash of waves. Not the creak of old wood. But… music. Wheezing… warbling… sea-soaked polka music. The locals just whisper, "Accordion Shark..." and subconsciously begin tapping their toes. #kidlit

Thank you!! I DO have a story in the works, but I'll need to develop an original Kaiju for it. I don't think I'd ever stand a chance at licensing rights from Toho 😅.

Hello again #kidlitartpostcard community and happy July!

While the rest my 2025 is currently booked (yay!) I’m definitely interested in begging to fill out 2026 (and maybe even obtain representation in the meantime!)
#kidlit

Thank you! ☺️

Whimsical serene image of a fox and a hedgehog sitting on a log in the middle of a forest pond at sunset. The fox plays the banjo while the hedgehog plays a jug. Fireflies, lily pads, and cattails surround the duo as stars begin to fill the dusk sky.

Pickin' and Pricklin' til the sun goes down (and then some!)

#animalfriendsartchallenge2025
#kidlitart
#kidlit

Textured illustration of a cute pig wearing glasses and reading a book while sitting in the mud

Happy #kidlitartpostcard Day!

What do you think this little dude is reading? Hamlet? The Great Gatsboar? Give me your best piggy puns! 🐷

Roger Fur-derer -- the bestest of ball boys!

#kidlit #kidlitart #scbwi #scbwiillustrators #characterdesign

Whimsical illustration of chef chasing a raccoon who has stolen a bag of corn dogs

The chef was proud
His kitchen was clean
His corn dogs crisp
With golden sheen
But creeping close
With sneaky paws
Came a hungry raccoon
With sticky claws

He snatched the bag
In one quick dash
The tasty treats
Were gone in a flash

No shame being caught red-handed
He was the little CornDog bandit

Whimsical handdrawn digital illustration of a space cowboy playing a guitar next to a campfire on the surface of an asteroid for his corgi in a space suit. The night sky is filled with constellations that form various animals, such as a whale, rabbit, and crab.

Happy May #kidlitartpostcard Day to all my fellow illustrators out there!

I'm currently open for projects in the second half of 2025 and also seeking representation! If you're looking for an artist with a sense of humor, adventure, and fuzzy feelings you can find me at www.mwilsonillustration.com