Gillian Eilidh O’Mara

Hey Crystal Smith @crystalsmithart.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 11, 2024 at 06:30 UTC

Hello #kidlitartpostcardday!

I am a short, west coast #kidlit illustrator who loves nature & neon, crazy ideas & amazing characters.

I illustrate #picturebooks and take freelance work. I am #seekingrepresentation and always open to exciting projects!

#KidLitArt #KidLitArtPostCard #illustration

1 replies 13 reposts 45 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 11, 2024 at 11:54 UTC

Hi #kidlitartpostcard day ✨! I’m Gillian O’Mara; a Scottish light-chasing, daydreaming author-illustrator, published by Walker, HarperCollins and others. I love nature, luminous things, poetic and lyrical things and rich colour and texture.Pleased to meet you all ♥️ Rep’d by @literaticat.bsky.social

1 replies 4 reposts 12 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 10, 2024 at 18:44 UTC

Really enjoyed doing a takeover of Walker Books social feeds this week, not least because Bryher and I get to announce that we’re making a second Walker Book together too 🥳

#kidlit #kidlitart

0 replies 0 reposts 3 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 09, 2024 at 09:59 UTC

#kidlit people, I have a favour to ask. I have a class of 31 kids releasing a book they made next week and would LOVE to gather some well-wishes for them from authors and illustrators via a quick video or voice message. If you’re willing to send a shoutout to Willow Class, let me know ♥️🙏🏼

3 replies 2 reposts 5 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 06, 2024 at 19:37 UTC

Always feels right when the North Sea is in sight

#kidlit #kidlitart

1 replies 4 reposts 22 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 09:12 UTC

Can anyone recommend any picture books that are about/for foster children, even if done in a subtle or allegorical way?

#kidlit #kidlitart

1 replies 3 reposts 5 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 30, 2024 at 19:00 UTC

A Marmalade Jar full of stars… a personal homage to daughter of Dundee and discoverer of nebulae and supernovae, Williamina Fleming.

#dundee #millsobservatory #marmalade #williaminafleming #kidlitart #kidlit

0 replies 1 reposts 8 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 29, 2024 at 19:51 UTC

Something fun for 2025/26, and I’m going to head to Maine in summer 2025 to work on it, which means I’m open to possible USA collabs, workshops and events next summer while over there from the UK ✨✨✨

#kidlit #kidlitart

1 replies 1 reposts 6 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 28, 2024 at 19:14 UTC

One of my publishers signed an email ‘Love and starry sprinkles’ today and another yesterday made time to chat about our pets during the call, with one of the team dialling in at 1am to make the time differences work- talk about dedication. In short, I just love book people, you’re a lovely bunch.

0 replies 0 reposts 13 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 24, 2024 at 23:23 UTC

Really big fan of your whale book Crystal ♥️🐋

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 24, 2024 at 20:53 UTC

Other worlds

#kidlit #kidlitart #illustrator #author

3 replies 4 reposts 31 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 19:22 UTC

I think this may be in my top 5 all time favourites, Debbie ♥️

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 19:07 UTC

Hey #kidlit, what are your favourite picture books or illustrated books about rivers and seas?

#kidlitart

4 replies 0 reposts 8 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 18:59 UTC

I do love weaving a bit of science in ☺️

0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 12:47 UTC

Thank you so much Debbie- likewise!

0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 11:45 UTC

Thank you for all of this labour! Is there a way for folk to support you- would Substack subscription be best?

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 11:42 UTC

Adorable!

0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 23, 2024 at 11:40 UTC

Love incorporating some repeat patterns into paintings #kidlit #kidlitart

2 replies 7 reposts 35 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 22, 2024 at 14:43 UTC

I got to work with Smithsonian last year and this year and, just saying, it would be so nice to contribute art or stories to more work in conservation and scientific exploration. Doesn’t even have to be books, just things that connect people with important ideas ♥️

#kidlit #kidlitart

2 replies 13 reposts 90 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 22, 2024 at 14:28 UTC

My lazy way of digitally cutting my hand-painted watercolour plants 😂😂

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 22, 2024 at 14:27 UTC

I learned about geological unconformities ☺️

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 22, 2024 at 14:25 UTC

If you see this, quote reply with something summery from your portfolio! ☀️

#KidLitArt #art 🎨

4 replies 4 reposts 42 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 18, 2024 at 20:43 UTC

Blue notes 💙🦋

#kidlit #kidlitart

0 replies 7 reposts 39 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 17, 2024 at 14:01 UTC

Found a bowl of milk in my little one’s room this morning as she was ‘being a kitten’ during the night apparently… this is her refusing to get dressed because ‘she’s a dog’, and many other adventures of hers. Grateful I get to live in her world. ❤️

0 replies 1 reposts 13 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 16, 2024 at 20:47 UTC

Bryher Mackenzie and I went on a wee book tour this weekend, where we met a gorgeous array of people, shared stories and made sparkly night whales. Thank you to all who came #kidlit #kidlitart

1 replies 1 reposts 18 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 15, 2024 at 20:44 UTC

The creative conundrum of my year in both art and writing seems to be the search for balance between embracing abstraction enough to convey raw emotion, while maintaining enough detail to carry engaging plots and characters. Like anything rewarding, a real challenge! ✨#kidlit #kidlitart

1 replies 3 reposts 27 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 15, 2024 at 20:30 UTC

If you see this, post a ghost 👻 #kidlitart

2 replies 4 reposts 33 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 15, 2024 at 08:35 UTC

You’ve made so much effort to get people over here, thank you! It feels so safe and positive

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 15, 2024 at 07:32 UTC

My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, and I intend to end up there- Rumi

#kidlit #kidlitart

2 replies 0 reposts 37 likes

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social [ View ] Jun 14, 2024 at 22:32 UTC

Watching Jenn be INSANELY generous with her time in the name of widening access is one of the main reasons I was thrilled to sign with her as an agent. I knew she was a good egg long before ‘the call’ about my own work, even more true since. Read her solid and free advice ♥️

0 replies 2 reposts 13 likes