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Merle Grimm

@grimms_illustrations

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🖋️ Children’s Book Illustrator
SCBWI Member
Chapter Books • Picture Books • Science
Digital & Traditional Illustration
📩 Open for commissions

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Currently thinking of more van decor!
My husband and I moved in a few months ago and have slowly been improving the interior. Now that the main elements are built and installed, it’s time to make these four wheels feel like a home! I haven’t used acrylics in years and it was a bit daunting trying my hand on something so permanent. But I’m pleased with the result.
So what next? Plants? Animals? I have a few things in mind, but I’d love to hear your ideas!
#illustration #vanlife #newzealand #artiststudio #kidlitart by @grimms_illustrations

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5 months ago

I needed a few days to recover from the trip to Bologna and have been Instagram-stagnant the last week. But better late than never, so here’s a recap!
It was amazing getting to stroll through thousands of books, meeting artists, writers and publishers from all over the world and listening to talks of experts in the industry.
I spent hours in lines, but it was worth it, getting to show publishers and agents my work (only slightly nerve-wracking) and receiving feedback. And the end of each day, exhausted with aching feet, I’d force myself to go out to dinner with old and new friends, and never regretted the decision. Fresh-made ravioli, narrow alleys packed with crowds, great conversations - what more does one want?
I did manage a few breaks for sketching. I had a room in the city centre and on my way home I often stopped to catch an impression.
Highlights of the trip: meeting new friends (waiting in line was a great way to get chatting), the portfolio reviews with @harpercollinsch and the @itsmetalent agency and many more, seeing old friends, the @scbwi cocktail party, and lastly the food!
@bolognachildrensbookfair, I will be back!

#grimms_illustrations #bcbf #bologna #bcbf25 #scbwi #kidlit #kidlitart #illustrator taken in Bologna Children's Book Fair by @grimms_illustrations

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a year ago

Day 2: Relic
This was a fun sketch.
My reference was a grave I found in the midst of London. It was so calm in the graveyard only a few meters from the bustling streets. Some of the graves were almost completely overgrown. The ground was carpeted with white flowers, birds sang and squirrels were scampering about. Time stood still in this place.

#inktober #inktober2026 #illustration #sketch #bookart Ink illustration of a grave. A stone cross stands in the midst of high grasses, with Celtic imagery worked into the stone by @grimms_illustrations

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2 hours ago

Happy 1st of October. A few days ago I decided to spontaneously join #inktober
Looking forward to discovering new artists!

#inktober2026 #illustration #sketch #bookart Ink illustration of an apple by @grimms_illustrations

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a day ago

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
My name is Merle Grimm. I love a good adventure, especially if dragons are involved!

#kidlit #kidlitart #bookart #illustration Kidlitpostcard from Grimm’s Illustrations showing a black and white illustration of a dragon breathing fire by @grimms_illustrations

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a day ago

Back with new van decor!
Today featuring the pūkeko. This chicken-sized bird is found throughout New Zealand. They live in small groups in wetlands as well as pastures. You can often see them stalking through grass, forging. They can fly, though they avoid it if possible. A flying pūkeko is not an elegant sight - they don’t tuck in their feet like most birds, but leave them to dangle below them.
Their striking colours still have me yell “pūkeko!” when driving past a group- and I see them almost every single day!
What did you think of the new painting?

#vanlife #illustration #van #newzealand #painting by @grimms_illustrations

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15 days ago

Cover art for one of my all time favourite books - “the Golden Compass” or “Northern Lights” by @philippullmanofficial.
Did you spot Oxford’s skyline in the bear’s silhouette?
If I’d design a full cover the back would of course feature Pantalaimon and either a hot air balloon or a zeppelin.
Swipe through to see my first sketches, where I was figuring out the composition.

#bookart #kidlitart #coverart #childrensbook #illustration Cover art by Grimm’s Illustrations of the Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. A girl stands, holding a golden compass in her hands, enveloped by the silhouette of a bear. Inside the bear’s silhouette the Oxford’s skyline lies. The background shows a snowy landscape and a factory building. by @grimms_illustrations

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21 days ago

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
My name is Merle Grimm. I love illustrating facial expressions and bringing character-driven plots to life, especially if adventure is involved!
I’d love to collaborate with you on your next project.

#bookart #bookillustrator #kidlit #kidlitart
(Book art, children’s book illustrator, middle grade books) Black and white illustration of a sad girl being comforted in her mother’s arms. by @grimms_illustrations

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a month ago

Sharing some of my favourite book covers.
Thank you @micaelaalcainodesign for using your platform to showcase new artist’s work! It truly means a lot. I’m looking forward to discovering new illustrators!

My name is Merle Grimm. I’m an illustrator specialised in chapter, mg and ya books as well as anything stem related.

#bookart #coverart #bookillustrator #kidlit #kidlitart Grid with cover art designed by Grimm’s Illustrations by @grimms_illustrations

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a month ago

I dreamt my fingers began turning to trees - this image was what I initially started sketching.
Quickly I decided to change the trees to roses, and that’s when the picture began reminding me of “Bury our Bones in the Midnight Soil” by @veschwab
Reaching for freedom, hungering, separate but still entangled with the world.
It’s far from being a polished cover, and feels a bit too dark for the book, but I’m happy with the image at this stage.

(illustration, book art, book illustration, cover art) Cover art for the book „Bury our bones in the midnight soil” by V. E. Schwab. On a blue background a hand reaches up, fingers entangled in rose bushes by @grimms_illustrations

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a month ago

This is the third piece featuring these two young vagabonds on their adventure.
I illustrated the scene about a year ago, but wasn’t happy with the finished product. I’ve gone back and am so pleased that I did. It’s satisfying comparing the old and the new and seeing how one has sharpened one’s tools!
Do you ever go back to your old art and feel the need to redo it?

(Illustration process, Kidlit, Kidlit art, children’s book, ya, middle grade) Black and white illustration of two children jumping off a train to escape the pursuit of a bad guy. The scene is set in Victorian times. by @grimms_illustrations

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2 months ago

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
My name is Merle. I love adventures, as well as anything stem related!
Did you know that an octopus can fully regrow missing limbs? This is no small feet, especially considering that each arm has a cluster of neurons, which allow autonomous movement independent from the central brain! Counting the neurons in each arm, octopi have 9 brains in total!

(Kidlit, kid lit art, book art, scientific illustration, portfolio, animal, stem) Children’s book illustration of an orange octopus, tentacles waving, on a blue background. by @grimms_illustrations

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2 months ago