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About Jessica Cooper
Children's Book Author | Illustrator
Jessica Cooper is a multi-talented author and illustrator specializing in picture books, middle-grade books, and other works for the children's market. Her passion for storytelling and creating captivating illustrations has been a part of her life since she was a small child. She was the kid with whom everyone said, "You're going to be an artist when you grow up." Jessica's journey into a career in art and storytelling began when she received an Imagine America scholarship to attend The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. There she pursued her passion for illustration and design, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and graduating as an honor student. Jessica went on to work for many years as a Surfacing and Texture Artist for film and animation at Digital Domain and Nickelodeon. After having children, Jessica made the decision to work from home and pursue her childhood dream of working in children's publishing.
As a long-time member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Jessica is committed to honing her craft and staying connected with fellow creators. This vibrant community has played a pivotal role in her growth as an artist and author, allowing her to evolve and bring fresh ideas to her career.
With her distinctive idealized realism and narrative illustration style, Jessica Cooper has the ability to transport you into enchanting worlds filled with wonder and excitement. She also finds imaginative ways of bringing to life non-fiction subjects as well as fantasy. Jessica recently illustrated the first three books in a middle-grade adventure series set in early medieval Ireland. Jessica has also been working on putting together a picture book dummy about a picky eater which is a story close to her heart. Jessica is always working towards the goal of illustrating more middle-grade, non-fiction, young adult, picture books and seeing her own stories in print.
Writer and Illustrator
Reading children's books, creating art, writing stories and taking a journal or a sketchbook with me wherever I go has been a constant feature of my life since early childhood. I followed a long and winding path to work in many art-related, but have finally come back to the place where my love for visual storytelling all began, in the realm of children's books.
Picture Books, Middle Grade and More...
I have spent many years working on my craft while raising children. After a long break from working as a Texture Artist for Film and Animation, I decided to be home with my little ones and work from home in children's market publishing. I'm currently working as the Illustrator for a middle-grade fiction series written by Bryan Givens. The series' first title 'Jack and The Hollow Hill' was published in 2021. The second book, Jack and The Giant's Bargain, was published in 2022, and the third book, 'Jack and The Jarl's Plea' was published in September 2023.
I was chosen to illustrate this series based on my detail-oriented idealized realism style and my love for folklore and history. I enjoy studying prehistoric archeology, anthropology, and ancient history. I also love to read fantasy and historical fiction books.
I'm also an avid gardener and nature lover. My writing and illustrations often reflect my interests.
Awards:
- Runner Up in the #KTIllustrates 2021 Kite Tales contest
- Finalist in the 2007 Artist's Magazine Art Competition
- Imagine America Scholarship Winner 1998
Jessica Whiteside Cooper
Welcome to my website! Thank you for stopping by.
I illustrated the first three books in a middle grade adventure fiction series written by Bryan Givens. The first book is titled 'Jack and The Hollow Hill'. The second, 'Jack and The Giant's Bargain' and the third book, 'Jack and The Jarl's Plea' has just been published.
Please go to https://www.ballykillarneyhouse.com/ for more information about the series.