Painted Words: Award-Winning Artists

Jaime Kim

Jaime Kim was born and raised in South Korea before moving to the USA when she was 18. She works with gouache and acrylics to create nostalgic and dreamlike illustrations, inspired by childhood memories of her family, as well as movies, art, and the outside world. Her favorite things are the sun, the moon, the sky and stars – which is why they always creep into her artwork. Her debut illustrated picture book, Take Heart, My Child, was a #1 New York Times-bestseller.

London Ladd

London Ladd is a graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in illustration. London works primarily in a painterly style with acrylic, building opaque layers atop a foundation of thin washes, in a way that brings his colors to life. He carries a sketchbook with him everywhere he goes, constantly perfecting his craft.

Il Sung Na

Il Sung Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. In 2001, he moved to London to pursue a BFA in Illustration and Animation at Kingston University, where he discovered a passion for children’s books. Il Sung has published several books, some of which have gained acclaim with Kirkus starred reviews and recognition in prestigious book lists. Currently based in Baltimore, Il Sung spends time teaching illustration courses and working on new books.

Shadra Strickland

Shadra Strickland studied design, writing, and illustration at Syracuse University, and completed her M.F.A. at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is passionate about promoting positivity through her work, and her ultimate goal as a picture book author and illustrator is to teach children how to live their dreams. Her style is a whimsical blend of reality and imagination, and she loves to create stories that children can see themselves in.

Kim Holt

Kim Holt was born in Brooklyn, NY. Her passion for art and drawing started at an early age, fueled by her family’s love for the arts. Her goal as an artist is to create images that bring back memories and create pictures that make children wish they were inside the scenes. Kim’s style is full of color and emotion.

Frank Morrison

Frank Morrison started his journey as a graffiti artist in New Jersey, tagging walls with spray paint. It wasn’t until he visited the Louvre Museum in Paris with his dancing group, that he realized painting was his true creative path. His work has been featured at Art Basel, Scope Miami and Red Dot art fairs, and shown at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Mason Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta, GA. He has illustrator of over 20 children’s books.

Elisa Chavarri

Elisa Chavarri is an illustrator who often draws from her Latin culture for inspiration as is evident in her 2021 Pura Belpre Honor award winning book, Sharuko: Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello. Elisa emphasizes happiness, beauty, love, and inclusivity in her work.

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Charnelle received her BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and her MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Growing up, she was surrounded by art daily. Her passion for illustration grew after being introduced to the wonderful world of watercolor. Whatever she’s drawing is usually a dead giveaway as to what she’s currently obsessed with (did someone say donuts?).

Painted Words, formerly Lori Nowicki & Associates (established in 1992) was launched 2006. The company currently represents illustrators and authors in the children’s publishing, advertising and editorial marketplace, all striving to create unique work primarily for the children’s marketplace.

“It is our mission to develop writers and illustrators in order to create authentic works for the children’s publishing market and beyond. Our goal is to provide the utmost in representation for illustrators and authors while placing a unique emphasis on developing characters, books and licensed properties.”

For inquiries, please contact them at info@painted-words.com