The goal of our I HeART New Jersey series is to introduce our readers to local NJ artists. These Garden State makers hone their craft while working with items like clay, metal, paint, film, and more. This time around, we’re putting the spotlight on children’s book illustrators. In particular, all of these artists find inspiration from living in NJ.
Quick Click Guide: Click a children’s book illustrator to go straight to their profile.
| Colleen Kosinski | Robert J. Blake | Mike Malbrough |
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Colleen Kosinski
Colleen has only been a children’s book illustrator since the early 2000s; but this New Jersey native’s artistic endeavors date back to her childhood. For instance, in fourth grade she began art lessons at The Markeim Arts Center in Haddonfield. However, of her many mentors, she is most fond of her Collingswood Middle School art teacher, Mr. Cherry.
“He was such a positive influence on me that I used his last name for a character in my middle grade novel, A Promise Stitched in Time,” Kosinski says.
Her college degree in visual art comes from Rutgers University. She spent the following years working as a freelance artist, painting private commissions, pet portraits, murals, and even jewelry design. But as her children got older, she began pursuing picture book writing and illustration. Colleen says that her background landscape choices tend to reflect her East Coast upbringing; which you can see in her first book, Lilla’s Sunflowers.
These days, Colleen fills her studio time with either writing or researching her stories and, of course, illustrating. She also hosts picture writing and illustrating workshops at Haddonfield’s Inkwood Books, helping new writers learn the craft. To learn more, click here to visit her website.
Robert J. Blake
Robert J. Blake has been a children’s book illustrator since 1978. At first, he was painting jacket art for young adult books. Then his first picture book, The Spiders Dance, published in 1980. But it took until 1990 to have a book experience widespread acclaim. That book was Riptide, and after that success, Blake says it’s been “smooth sailing” ever since.
Robert’s early training includes working with Carroll Jones, Jr. in Madison, as well as famed illustrator Leonard Everett Fisher. His education comes from the Ringling School of Art; in addition to the Paier College of Art and the Art Students League of New York. In his early career he did newspaper illustrations for the Daily Record and the Bernardsville News.
A career in writing and illustrating has led to a lot of travel; leading Robert to places such as Alaska, Ireland, France, and even Tasmania. Despite this, many of his books are set in New Jersey. For instance, Carousel Cat takes place in Asbury Park. “New Jersey has it all– city, country, mountains, seashore, amusement parks, pork roll and lakes,” Robert says.
He still paints and draws every day, filling up 158 sketchbooks so far in his lifetime. To see Robert’s collection of work, click here to visit his website.
Mike Malbrough
Mike Malbrough is a bit of a newbie in the children’s book illustrator world. He took an interest in the genre around 2015, before quickly earning his first picture book publication in 2017. (Marigold Bakes a Cake)
He atrributes his rapid success to finding the right agent. Likewise, Mike believes the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a great asset. He says they host conferences and workshops that are a must for anyone trying to break into the business.
Being a father and living in the Garden State are major influences on Mike’s craft; “Reading to [my kids] opened my eyes to the beauty and breadth of the art form,” he says. As for New Jersey, state parks as well as places like Turtleback Zoo and Grounds for Sculpture inspire his illustrations.
Mike spends his time working in his studio, homeschooling his children with his wife, playing soccer, and painting abstract art. He also works with his son on graphic novel projects. Click here to visit his website.
Click here for more stories from our I HeART New Jersey series.
Top (Hero) Photo: © Colleen Kosinski, Robert J. Blake
Other Photos (in Order):
Colleen Kosinski / Website
Robert J. Blake / Website
Mike Malbrough / Website