Jungle Queens – Maria Sibylla Merian

Illustration of the inspirational Maria Sibylla Merian for an article in SisterMag called ‘Jungle Queens’ about female explorers.

  • GIVEAWAY — It feels like such a big moment to finally reveal the cover of my debut picture book The Tree Keepers: Flock published by Frances Lincoln picture books @quartokids ✨ Working on this book has been such a massive experience, I’ve worked so hard on it and it has meant so much to me to have had the opportunity to explore loneliness, friendship and belonging in word and pictures. I’m so excited that it is available to pre-order now from all your favourite online booksellers and out in all good book shops ‪from the 6th June‬! (link in bio) I’m also really excited to be able to celebrate this happy occasion by giving away one large custom, signed print featuring a one-of-a-kind artwork from the book to one lucky winner! Swipe right to view ✨ All you need to do to enter is follow the steps below: * Pre-order your copy of The Tree Keepers: Flock from Amazon, Waterstones, Book Depository, Hive or any other bookseller (Link in bio) * Email a copy of your receipt to 'childrensmarketinguk@quarto.com' with the subject line 'The Tree Keepers: Flock' * A winner will be picked at random ‪at 8pm on Friday 19th April‬  This competition is open to UK entries only, good luck! #gemmakoomen #treekeepersflock #picturebook #childrensbookstagram #authorillustrator #onmydesk
  • Gently up the stream .. It’s taken me a while to get back to posting here and into my work groove, I’ve been struggling with a virus that I guess turned into labrynthitis and it’s hard to get much done being dizzy, so I’ve had some time off and pared back what I am doing to allow as much rest as possible and to be able to work at a much slower pace than normal. I’ve said no to lots of commissions which has felt strange and delayed the re-opening of my online shop but it also feels like a gentle step forward to choose to look after myself. Building a business over the last few years followed by an intense year working on my first picture book, crazy busy Christmas and actually just recovering from years of sleep deprivation with young children has finally caught up with me. I hope it’s shifting and my energy can return gently back to a point where I am thriving and not just surviving, and can get back to my work in a way that feels good. There’s so much to learn isn’t there? #gemmakoomen #littlestoriesofmylife #seekthesimple #mytinyeden #holbeingouache #gouachepainting #illo #illustrationnow
  • Fox Sisters .. my two favourite girls and three of my favourite brushes #holbeingouache #illustrationnow #gemmakoomen #illo #gouachepainting #onmydesk #mytinyart #foxpainting #childhoodmagic
  • Many painted women on my desk from over the years.. The paintings that I make that feel most like they have flowed out, playfully and without too much deliberation have always been those of women. I have so much respect for so many women; what we go through, what we know, what we cultivate, give, share and build #internationalwomensday #gouachepainting #illo #onmydesk #illustrationnow #celebratediversity #gemmakoomen
  • A hand painted postcard for #refugetree a collaboration with illustrator @kateslater and 96 female artist to raise money for @refugecharity and is currently hanging in @lrbbookshop if anyone is in London and wants to go see. The auction opens on Thursday 7th March on Kate’s eBay site. Refuge is an important charity that helps women affected by domestic abuse. All the details of this auction will be on @kateslater’s Instagram and website pages, go and have a look if you would like to bid on some lovely original art by lots of very talented people and support a really important cause 🧡 #refuge #illo #illustrationnow #holbeingouache #mytinyart #gouachepainting #domesticviolenceawareness #gemmakoomen
  • Song Thrush in the Hazel .. Spring feels close and I’m appreciating so much seeing the tiny leaf buds, catkins and pussy willow all emerging to the sound of constant jubilant bird song #tinypainting #mytinyart #mytinyeden #holbeingouache #illo #illustrationnow #gouachepainting #asimplestill #slowlived #aquietstyle
  • Hello Love .. my valentines greeting, a little late due to snail delivery 🐌🧡🐌 but love is for giving and forgiving all days anyway #slowtravel #happyvalentines #hellolove #snaillove #signsofspring #loveisontheground #holbeingouache #illo #illustrationnow #asecondofwhimsey #maketimeforart #gemmakoomen
  • Spring Rain .. I’m really excited about the next season, literally the signs of spring that are emerging out of the cold winter ground and figuratively for the next season in my business - my tictail shop is now closed and all orders will be posted out over the next two days. Thank you so much as always for all the orders, kind words and patience while I build the new shop- your support means so much to me 🧡#fosterthoughtfulness #slowlived #illo #illustrationnow #gouachepainting #holbeingouache #signsofspring #mytinyeden #mytinygarden #gemmakoomen

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