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HEATHER JENKINS

Author-illustrator
Therapeutic Art Facilitator

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Whatsapp: 062 821 8481

There’s a lot happening at the moment and I’m very excited to be preparing for my book launch next month and to be busy with illustrations for a new book with @emmajmorse eeek! I cannot wait to share more of this book soon!
☀️ 🧘🏼‍♀️ 🍃 🧑🏾‍🩰🦋
#kidlitartist #childrensbookillustrator #aweekinthelife #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration

There’s a lot happening at the moment and I’m very excited to be preparing for my book launch next month and to be busy with illustrations for a new book with @emmajmorse eeek! I cannot wait to share more of this book soon!
☀️ 🧘🏼‍♀️ 🍃 🧑🏾‍🩰🦋
#kidlitartist #childrensbookillustrator #aweekinthelife #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration

A wonderful day is on the way! More details coming soon!
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#booklaunch #kidlit #saslalphabetandanimals #southafricansignlanguage #newbookrelease

A wonderful day is on the way! More details coming soon!
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#booklaunch #kidlit #saslalphabetandanimals #southafricansignlanguage #newbookrelease

Today is International Literacy Day so I thought I’d share books I’ve illustrated for the sole purpose of wanting to be part of the solution to getting more books out into the world and into little hands who deserve to read and own books! You can read all of these and so many more books for FREE on the @bookdash website. Be sure to also check out their mission and help share these books and donate so that more little ones can have access to books.

#bookdash #freebooks #literacyday #internationalliteracyday #picturebooks

Today is International Literacy Day so I thought I’d share books I’ve illustrated for the sole purpose of wanting to be part of the solution to getting more books out into the world and into little hands who deserve to read and own books! You can read all of these and so many more books for FREE on the @bookdash website. Be sure to also check out their mission and help share these books and donate so that more little ones can have access to books.

#bookdash #freebooks #literacyday #internationalliteracyday #picturebooks

A little peek at all the illustrations / SASL hand shapes and animals for the alphabet.

Pre-orders will be opening up soon and I’m so excited!

Reminder that it’s Deaf Awareness Month and the perfect time to celebrate Deaf culture, the Deaf community and South African Sign Language as the 12th official language!
You can make our little corner of the world so much more accessible by learning SASL and I hope this alphabet book can help with the start of your journey into learning!

#kidlit #sasl #southafricansignlanguage #deafawareness #deafawarenessmonth

A little peek at all the illustrations / SASL hand shapes and animals for the alphabet.

Pre-orders will be opening up soon and I’m so excited!

Reminder that it’s Deaf Awareness Month and the perfect time to celebrate Deaf culture, the Deaf community and South African Sign Language as the 12th official language!
You can make our little corner of the world so much more accessible by learning SASL and I hope this alphabet book can help with the start of your journey into learning!

#kidlit #sasl #southafricansignlanguage #deafawareness #deafawarenessmonth

If you searched for South African Sign Language or deaf awareness month, there wasn’t a single Instagram sticker/gif for SASL or one saying Deaf Awareness Month. I knew this was something small I could change so I applied to become an official public creator and was approved to have my stickers available. So now if you search for South African Sign Language, or type in my username @artwithheather these new stickers will pop up.
I’ll be uploading more over the month of September. I hope you enjoy using them! 🤟

#deafawarenessmonth #deafawareness #southafricansignlanguage #SASL #deafcommunity

If you searched for South African Sign Language or deaf awareness month, there wasn’t a single Instagram sticker/gif for SASL or one saying Deaf Awareness Month. I knew this was something small I could change so I applied to become an official public creator and was approved to have my stickers available. So now if you search for South African Sign Language, or type in my username @artwithheather these new stickers will pop up.
I’ll be uploading more over the month of September. I hope you enjoy using them! 🤟

#deafawarenessmonth #deafawareness #southafricansignlanguage #SASL #deafcommunity

Hello September and happy #deafawarenessmonth 🤟

September is Deaf Awareness Month in South Africa, and International month for Deaf People in commemoration of the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf which took place in September 1951.

In 2023 South African Sign Language was recognised as South Africa’s 12th official language - an important milestone acknowledging that communication in one’s native language is a human right.
This is where my journey began with illustrating my alphabet book.
I wanted to make an alphabet book to help make learning South African Sign Language easy and accessible for all South Africans.

It’s finally ready and will be available by the end of October, with pre-orders opening up soon!

#deafcommunity #deafawareness #deafart #kidlit

Hello September and happy #deafawarenessmonth 🤟

September is Deaf Awareness Month in South Africa, and International month for Deaf People in commemoration of the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf which took place in September 1951.

In 2023 South African Sign Language was recognised as South Africa’s 12th official language - an important milestone acknowledging that communication in one’s native language is a human right.
This is where my journey began with illustrating my alphabet book.
I wanted to make an alphabet book to help make learning South African Sign Language easy and accessible for all South Africans.

It’s finally ready and will be available by the end of October, with pre-orders opening up soon!

#deafcommunity #deafawareness #deafart #kidlit

Updated Cover reveal 😃 After having to make a number of changes to the hand signs, to make sure they were up to standard as a learning resource, naturally a new cover had to be made and now you get to play a little game of spot the differences 😄 how many could you find?
So grateful to @niddeaf for their guidance and feedback!

Stay tuned for more on the book launch in October and pre-orders opening soon!

#sasl #saslalphabetandanimals #signlanguage #kidlit #coverreveal

Updated Cover reveal 😃 After having to make a number of changes to the hand signs, to make sure they were up to standard as a learning resource, naturally a new cover had to be made and now you get to play a little game of spot the differences 😄 how many could you find?
So grateful to @niddeaf for their guidance and feedback!

Stay tuned for more on the book launch in October and pre-orders opening soon!

#sasl #saslalphabetandanimals #signlanguage #kidlit #coverreveal

I’m so excited to share that South African Sign Language: Alphabet and Animals is finally going to be available in October! It’s taken some time, and there have been some changes along the way to make sure that each sign is up to standard for being a learning tool. A massive thank you to @niddeaf and Lynette and Dirkie for your guidance!

More details coming soon for the book launch and pre-orders!

#sasl #southafricansignlanguage #saslalphabetandanimals #signlanguage #kidlit

I’m so excited to share that South African Sign Language: Alphabet and Animals is finally going to be available in October! It’s taken some time, and there have been some changes along the way to make sure that each sign is up to standard for being a learning tool. A massive thank you to @niddeaf and Lynette and Dirkie for your guidance!

More details coming soon for the book launch and pre-orders!

#sasl #southafricansignlanguage #saslalphabetandanimals #signlanguage #kidlit

because it actually is that serious…

#noai #noaiart #kidlit #picturebooks #childrensbooks

because it actually is that serious…

#noai #noaiart #kidlit #picturebooks #childrensbooks

It’s all fun and games until you realise you couldn’t in fact escape maths by being an artist lol
I have found I have to write it down otherwise I second guess myself and it only takes messing up canvas dimensions once to make you fear getting it wrong ever again 😂
Anyone else do it this way? Or do you just trust your numbers?

#illustratorprocess #kidlitartists #kidlitart #childrensillustrator #artmath

It’s all fun and games until you realise you couldn’t in fact escape maths by being an artist lol
I have found I have to write it down otherwise I second guess myself and it only takes messing up canvas dimensions once to make you fear getting it wrong ever again 😂
Anyone else do it this way? Or do you just trust your numbers?

#illustratorprocess #kidlitartists #kidlitart #childrensillustrator #artmath

Heard there’s a solar eclipse happening in the northern hemisphere today 🌕☀️ such a cool thing to have witnessed in my lifetime and wish I could see this one! Instead I’m freezing on the other side of the world lol

These two cuties are from a card that will eventually be for sale when I get my act together and my online shop finished 😊

#solareclipse #solareclipse2026 #kidlitillustration #greetingcardillustration #kidlitartist

Heard there’s a solar eclipse happening in the northern hemisphere today 🌕☀️ such a cool thing to have witnessed in my lifetime and wish I could see this one! Instead I’m freezing on the other side of the world lol

These two cuties are from a card that will eventually be for sale when I get my act together and my online shop finished 😊

#solareclipse #solareclipse2026 #kidlitillustration #greetingcardillustration #kidlitartist

This sweet girly is back, but this time with her loving uncle ❤️ Thank you so much for helping my Honey with her campaign and allowing me to capture a special memory @dsilver_santos
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#familyportrait #portraitillustration #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #childrensillustrator

This sweet girly is back, but this time with her loving uncle ❤️ Thank you so much for helping my Honey with her campaign and allowing me to capture a special memory @dsilver_santos
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#familyportrait #portraitillustration #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #childrensillustrator

A final look at this sweet family portrait for @rosequartzprncss 💛
Get your own custom portrait by donating any amount to Honey’s @backabuddy campaign (link in bio) and send through a photo reference -
Email: hello@artwithheather.com
WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481
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#portraitillustration #customillustration #backabuddy #kidlitillustrator #familyportrait

A final look at this sweet family portrait for @rosequartzprncss 💛
Get your own custom portrait by donating any amount to Honey’s @backabuddy campaign (link in bio) and send through a photo reference -
Email: hello@artwithheather.com
WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481
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#portraitillustration #customillustration #backabuddy #kidlitillustrator #familyportrait

How cute is this precious little family?!! Massive thank you to @rosequartzprncss for helping Honey by getting a portrait of your beautiful family 💛
💛 If you’d like a portrait of your loved ones, pet, or house - please donate any amount to Honey’s @backabuddy campaign (link in bio) and send through a photo reference by email / WhatsApp.
💛 Email: hello@artwithheather.com
💛 WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481

✏️ I’m also open to any other illustration/design work/ commissions
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#kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #familyillustration #familyportrait #childrensillustrator

How cute is this precious little family?!! Massive thank you to @rosequartzprncss for helping Honey by getting a portrait of your beautiful family 💛
💛 If you’d like a portrait of your loved ones, pet, or house - please donate any amount to Honey’s @backabuddy campaign (link in bio) and send through a photo reference by email / WhatsApp.
💛 Email: hello@artwithheather.com
💛 WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481

✏️ I’m also open to any other illustration/design work/ commissions
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#kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #familyillustration #familyportrait #childrensillustrator

Meet cutie little Luna @luna_fluff_butt 💗 A big thank you to her mom @kurrina_kurrina for helping my Honey towards her mri and back surgery!!
If you’d like to help too and receive your own pawtrait, human portrait or house portrait, you can donate any amount to Honey’s @backabuddy campaign (link in bio) and send through a photo reference by email or WhatsApp
💗 Email: hello@artwithheather.com
💗 WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481
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#backabuddy #pawtrait #petportrait #petillustration #dogillustration

Meet cutie little Luna @luna_fluff_butt 💗 A big thank you to her mom @kurrina_kurrina for helping my Honey towards her mri and back surgery!!
If you’d like to help too and receive your own pawtrait, human portrait or house portrait, you can donate any amount to Honey’s @backabuddy campaign (link in bio) and send through a photo reference by email or WhatsApp
💗 Email: hello@artwithheather.com
💗 WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481
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#backabuddy #pawtrait #petportrait #petillustration #dogillustration

For any price you choose, I can illustrate your fur baby, family members, or house 😊
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#portraitillustration #petportrait #dogillustration #illustration

For any price you choose, I can illustrate your fur baby, family members, or house 😊
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#portraitillustration #petportrait #dogillustration #illustration

Pet portrait in loving memory of little Jackson for Amy & Ben 🌈💛 @amyisawessome Thank you so much for your contribution for Honey!!
💛 If you’d like to help Honey and get a portrait of your fur baby, family members, or even a house portrait, please see link in bio to Honey’s back a buddy campaign to make a donation of any amount and email/whatsapp a photo for reference of your loved one/ house
💛Email: hello@artwithheather.com
💛WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481
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#petportrait #petillustration #portraitillustration #customillustration #dogportrait

Pet portrait in loving memory of little Jackson for Amy & Ben 🌈💛 @amyisawessome Thank you so much for your contribution for Honey!!
💛 If you’d like to help Honey and get a portrait of your fur baby, family members, or even a house portrait, please see link in bio to Honey’s back a buddy campaign to make a donation of any amount and email/whatsapp a photo for reference of your loved one/ house
💛Email: hello@artwithheather.com
💛WhatsApp: +27 62 821 8481
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#petportrait #petillustration #portraitillustration #customillustration #dogportrait

I struggle asking for help but Honey needs me to come through for her and any help will be greatly appreciated!! Link is in my bio for the back a buddy campaign.

I’m happy to offer illustration/design for any donation, whether it’s portraits of your pets or loved ones, or any design or business related work. If you’ve been coming for therapeutic art, I can also offer free sessions (supplies included).
I can also pay back donations as soon as I complete my current project, please just just let me know the amount donated and send through your banking details. 💛
My email is hello@artwithheather.com

There have been multiple things that have come up this past month, including Milo being hospitalised, my own medical bills and Honey needs help sooner than I am able to get funds together myself.

Thank you!! please share far and wide! 🙏

#backabuddy #illustratorsforhire #kidlitillustrator

I struggle asking for help but Honey needs me to come through for her and any help will be greatly appreciated!! Link is in my bio for the back a buddy campaign.

I’m happy to offer illustration/design for any donation, whether it’s portraits of your pets or loved ones, or any design or business related work. If you’ve been coming for therapeutic art, I can also offer free sessions (supplies included).
I can also pay back donations as soon as I complete my current project, please just just let me know the amount donated and send through your banking details. 💛
My email is hello@artwithheather.com

There have been multiple things that have come up this past month, including Milo being hospitalised, my own medical bills and Honey needs help sooner than I am able to get funds together myself.

Thank you!! please share far and wide! 🙏

#backabuddy #illustratorsforhire #kidlitillustrator

The best part about my birthday was always sharing the day with my little Holly so it was only fitting to still celebrate her first birthday over the rainbow bridge 🌈 She would have been 11 yesterday 💗 she loved it when everyone sang happy birthday to her, she would always sit and look at everyone and seemed so happy. I miss her so so much and grateful I could celebrate that she was the greatest gift in my life. Thank you to everyone who joined us for dinner and to everyone who wished me 💗

The best part about my birthday was always sharing the day with my little Holly so it was only fitting to still celebrate her first birthday over the rainbow bridge 🌈 She would have been 11 yesterday 💗 she loved it when everyone sang happy birthday to her, she would always sit and look at everyone and seemed so happy. I miss her so so much and grateful I could celebrate that she was the greatest gift in my life. Thank you to everyone who joined us for dinner and to everyone who wished me 💗

I cannot believe it’s already been 2 whole years since #hibadge2024 and here we all are, still taking a stand against ai
This was such a great throwback! I loved making this little collage badge 💛 thanks Beth

#humanintelligence #introverteddrawingclub #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist

I cannot believe it’s already been 2 whole years since #hibadge2024 and here we all are, still taking a stand against ai
This was such a great throwback! I loved making this little collage badge 💛 thanks Beth

#humanintelligence #introverteddrawingclub #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist

Welcome to wondrous woods of Sleepy Hollow, where you’ll find magic in a place nestled between the mountains and the ocean, and all the magical creatures who live there!

#kidlit #picturebook #sleepyhollowlane #kidlitart #faefolk

Welcome to wondrous woods of Sleepy Hollow, where you’ll find magic in a place nestled between the mountains and the ocean, and all the magical creatures who live there!

#kidlit #picturebook #sleepyhollowlane #kidlitart #faefolk

Hiii I’m Heather☺️ from sunny South Africa and love adding a little whimsy, warmth, and a whole lot of feeling into my work. I’m open for picture book projects and seeking representation.
Website: artwithheather.com
Email: hello@artwithheather.com

Happy 5 years of #kidlitartpostcard all thanks to @ginaperry_books 💛

#kidlit #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #picturebookillustrator

Hiii I’m Heather☺️ from sunny South Africa and love adding a little whimsy, warmth, and a whole lot of feeling into my work. I’m open for picture book projects and seeking representation.
Website: artwithheather.com
Email: hello@artwithheather.com

Happy 5 years of #kidlitartpostcard all thanks to @ginaperry_books 💛

#kidlit #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #picturebookillustrator

A little whimsy for your feed today 💛 I didn’t have a plan for this one, just intention, feeling, intuition and I absolutely loved the process, and felt like I was there, even just for a moment, in the ocean, in awe of what’s around me, weightless, free.

Where’s your happy place?

#illustration #intuitiveart #kidlitartist #oceanart #oracleart

A little whimsy for your feed today 💛 I didn’t have a plan for this one, just intention, feeling, intuition and I absolutely loved the process, and felt like I was there, even just for a moment, in the ocean, in awe of what’s around me, weightless, free.

Where’s your happy place?

#illustration #intuitiveart #kidlitartist #oceanart #oracleart

Just needed a liiitttllleee touch of magic✨
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#illustration #dandelionart #kidlitartist #kidlitillustration #oceanillustration

Just needed a liiitttllleee touch of magic✨
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#illustration #dandelionart #kidlitartist #kidlitillustration #oceanillustration

✨Cover reveal✨
It’s been so special to illustrate this touching story by @allisoncaspersonauthor
More details soon for preorder and launch date 😊
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#coverreveal #coverart #newbookrelease #kidlit #picturebookillustration

✨Cover reveal✨
It’s been so special to illustrate this touching story by @allisoncaspersonauthor
More details soon for preorder and launch date 😊
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#coverreveal #coverart #newbookrelease #kidlit #picturebookillustration

Dream come true loading with @allisoncaspersonauthor ⏳💗
All the final little touches and changes have been made, we poured our hearts into this book, and we believe in the impact this book will make for many families!
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We cannot wait to share more soon!
#kidlit #newbookalert #picturebook #kidlitillustrator #booklayout

Dream come true loading with @allisoncaspersonauthor ⏳💗
All the final little touches and changes have been made, we poured our hearts into this book, and we believe in the impact this book will make for many families!
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We cannot wait to share more soon!
#kidlit #newbookalert #picturebook #kidlitillustrator #booklayout

I’ve seen a lot of heated discussions defending the use of ai in the children’s book industry and it makes my heart break a little more each time. Apart from how harmful it is to the real artists and writers in the industry, it’s teaching children that theft is okay, and it’s so much deeper than all of that because it’s a massive social, political and environmental issue. It is causing detrimental harm to the environment, destroying ecosystems, and harming animals and people in the communities near data centres. If you choose to turn a blind eye for convenience because you really think that ai is simply a tool and it doesn’t impact you, I’m sorry but you’re wrong and it may not be directly impacting you now, but it will, and you have a responsibility to care about all the people and ecosystems it is directly impacting right now.

#notoaiart #artistsagainstai #aiistheft #kidlit #childrensbooks

I’ve seen a lot of heated discussions defending the use of ai in the children’s book industry and it makes my heart break a little more each time. Apart from how harmful it is to the real artists and writers in the industry, it’s teaching children that theft is okay, and it’s so much deeper than all of that because it’s a massive social, political and environmental issue. It is causing detrimental harm to the environment, destroying ecosystems, and harming animals and people in the communities near data centres. If you choose to turn a blind eye for convenience because you really think that ai is simply a tool and it doesn’t impact you, I’m sorry but you’re wrong and it may not be directly impacting you now, but it will, and you have a responsibility to care about all the people and ecosystems it is directly impacting right now.

#notoaiart #artistsagainstai #aiistheft #kidlit #childrensbooks

Sharing something a little different today that isn’t kidlit focussed for a change but could be a super cute kiddies pattern!
This is a pattern design I did a short while back and some snippets from a few of the presentation slides and ending off with a fun little mockup of the pattern applied to socks.
What do you think? Want to see more patterns?
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#patterndesign #patternillustration #surfacepattern #newyorkart #repeatingpattern

Sharing something a little different today that isn’t kidlit focussed for a change but could be a super cute kiddies pattern!
This is a pattern design I did a short while back and some snippets from a few of the presentation slides and ending off with a fun little mockup of the pattern applied to socks.
What do you think? Want to see more patterns?
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#patterndesign #patternillustration #surfacepattern #newyorkart #repeatingpattern

🌊🐚Hello Mermay!!🧜🏼🪸🐠🦀🪼
Where the sea whispers secrets, and fish are friends, little mermaids drift through shimmering coral reefs, leaving traces of magic you can find if you dare to swim deep!

#MerMay2026 #merboy #kidlitart #childrensillustration

🌊🐚Hello Mermay!!🧜🏼🪸🐠🦀🪼
Where the sea whispers secrets, and fish are friends, little mermaids drift through shimmering coral reefs, leaving traces of magic you can find if you dare to swim deep!

#MerMay2026 #merboy #kidlitart #childrensillustration

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