This week on the show, Elizabeth and Amelia interview Avani Dwivedi, a picture book author-illustrator who has illustrated five picture books and one early reader. In 2023, she published her first book as both author and illustrator, Bollywood Dreams, which earned starred reviews and was named one of School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year. Avani graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2019 and is now based in New Jersey where she continues to create sweet, expressive stories. In this episode, we discuss watercolor magic, creating characters that glow with confidence, and collecting memories that turn into stories.

Follow Avani's work:

• Portfolio: https://www.avanidwivedi.com/

• Instagram: @avanidwivedii

• Avani’s Newsletter: https://avanidwivedi.substack.com/

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠

• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠

• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@illustrationamy⁠

Edited by Elizabeth Lilly. Graphics by Amelia Grace Gossman. Music by Roy Edwin Williams.

In this week's episode Elizabeth and Amelia interview Sarah Hwang, a picture book author-illustrator with a sweet, colorful and hilarious artistic voice. She has written and illustrated Toasty (2021) and Bunny Hop, coming in 2025, as well as illustrated illustrator of Nom Nom Nom by Jeffrey Burton. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2017 and has been living in New Jersey ever since. In this episode, we discuss being true to yourself, creating work in your own authentic style, and creating to make yourself happy.

Follow Sarah Hwang’s work:

• Portfolio: https://www.sarah-hwang.com/

• Instagram: ⁠@sarah_s_hwang

• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/floofyliltoast/

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠

• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠

• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@illustrationamy⁠

Edited by Elizabeth Lilly. Graphics by Amelia Grace Gossman. Music by Roy Edwin Williams.

In this week's episode Elizabeth and Amelia interview Janna Morton, an award-winning illustrator from Baltimore, Maryland. Janna Morton is known for her vibrant and captivating artwork that explores themes of nature, inclusivity, overlooked beauty, grief, and joy. We discuss slowing down, reconnecting with whimsy, and drawing from personal experience to create deeper stories.

Janna's Portfolio Website: https://www.jannamorton.com/

Follow Janna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janmort3000/

Follow Janna on Substack: https://substack.com/@jannamorton

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠

• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠

• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@illustrationamy⁠

Edited by Elizabeth Lilly. Graphics by Amelia Grace Gossman. Music by Roy Edwin Williams.

In this week's episode, Elizabeth and Amelia interview up-and-coming illustrator Abigail Rajunov from Dallas, Texas. Abigail's first book, Ping-Pong Shabbat, was published by Little Bee Books in September 2024 and has received a Silver Eureka Award for excellence in nonfiction books. Her illustration work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. We discuss drawing and painting techniques, the storyteller's relationship to writing and drawing, and taking the leap from art student to art professional.

Follow Abigail Rajunov:

• Abigail's Website: https://www.abigailrajunov.net/

• Follow Abigail on Instagram: @abigailrajunov

Links to resources discussed on the show:

• Max Packs Digital Brushes

• Sketchfab

• BodyKun Poseable Figures

• PureRef

• VizRef

• Notion

• Creator’s Friend Planners

• Agendio Custom Planners

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠

• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠

• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@illustrationamy⁠

Edited by Elizabeth Lilly. Graphics by Amelia Grace Gossman. Music by Roy Edwin Williams.

Welcome back to Paintbrush in My Coffee Cup! In this week's episode, Elizabeth and Amelia interview award-winning picture book author/illustrator Wallace West. Wallace has written and illustrated Mighty Red Riding Hood, which won a Lambda Literary Award, and illustrated the NY Times Bestselling middle-grade Dogtown series by legendary authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. We discuss storytelling, drawing from personal experiences, and digital versus traditional techniques.

----------------------------

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠
• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected]

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠
• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠
• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠
• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠
• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠
• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠
• Bluesky: ⁠@illustrationamy⁠

Edited by Elizabeth Lilly. Graphics by Amelia Grace Gossman. Music by Roy Edwin Williams.

Hosts Elizabeth Lilly and Amelia Grace Gossman interview each other. We get into why we started this podcast in the first place, how we each got into book illustration, how we make our artwork and stories, and of course FOUNTAIN PENS!

----------------------------------

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠

• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected]

-------------------------------------------

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠
• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠
• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠
• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠
• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠
• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠
• Bluesky: @illustrationamy

---------------------------------------

Audio editing: Elizabeth Lilly

Graphics: Amelia Grace Gossman

Music: Roy Edwin Williams

Welcome to Paintbrush in My Coffee Cup, a podcast where book illustrators talk about their craft, their life, and the messy places where life and craft overlap.

Paintbrush in My Coffee Cup will be debuting this spring. Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: https://pbimccpod.substack.com/
• Instagram @paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/

• Instagram: @elizabethlillystudio
• Substack: @elizabethlillystudio
• Bluesky: @elizabethlilly

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/

• Instagram: @ameliagraceillustration
• Substack: @ameliagraceillustration

• Bluesky: @illustrationamy