Jenn Ely
@elyjenna.bsky.social
Co Director at House Special, Production Designer, Visual Development Artist, Kid's Book Illustrator,
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (color designer)
Wendell & Wild (Illustrator)
Cactus Queen (Illustrator)
elyjenna@gmail.com
jennely.com
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (color designer)
Wendell & Wild (Illustrator)
Cactus Queen (Illustrator)
elyjenna@gmail.com
jennely.com
Pinned
Jenn Ely
@elyjenna.bsky.social
· Mar 10
It's been gratifying to jump into my first Co Directing job!
Grateful to House Special, my Co Director, Aaron Sorenson & Producer, Jenn Catalino for the support!
Coming up for air before we're totally wrapped to say that I'll be fully available as of April:)
Vis Dev, PD/ AD, and Directing
Grateful to House Special, my Co Director, Aaron Sorenson & Producer, Jenn Catalino for the support!
Coming up for air before we're totally wrapped to say that I'll be fully available as of April:)
Vis Dev, PD/ AD, and Directing
Reposted by Jenn Ely
Congratulations to @aidenschmaiden.bsky.social for THE SUNBEARER TRIALS & @elyjenna.bsky.social who illustrated THE GARDENER OF ALCATRAZ--both books were awarded as part of Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards.
TST was selected as the winner for Grades 9-12, TGoA was the honor title for Grades 3-5
TST was selected as the winner for Grades 9-12, TGoA was the honor title for Grades 3-5
May 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Congratulations to @aidenschmaiden.bsky.social for THE SUNBEARER TRIALS & @elyjenna.bsky.social who illustrated THE GARDENER OF ALCATRAZ--both books were awarded as part of Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards.
TST was selected as the winner for Grades 9-12, TGoA was the honor title for Grades 3-5
TST was selected as the winner for Grades 9-12, TGoA was the honor title for Grades 3-5
Reposted by Jenn Ely
🎨 This weeks illustrator spotlight @elyjenna.bsky.social
Jenn is represented by @ksonnack.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books and nonfiction.
Jenn's Illustrator Page
Get Spotlights in Your Inbox
Jenn is represented by @ksonnack.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books and nonfiction.
Jenn's Illustrator Page
Get Spotlights in Your Inbox
March 30, 2025 at 8:53 PM
🎨 This weeks illustrator spotlight @elyjenna.bsky.social
Jenn is represented by @ksonnack.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books and nonfiction.
Jenn's Illustrator Page
Get Spotlights in Your Inbox
Jenn is represented by @ksonnack.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books and nonfiction.
Jenn's Illustrator Page
Get Spotlights in Your Inbox
I directed (and animated -- witness my V shaky hands;) this little bit dedicated to House Special studio pup, Tallulah!
Thanks to Eric Bacon for edits and sound, John Nolan for DPing, Margaret Meyer and Katie Mello for support and fab work, and the Tallulah for being the starlet that she is!!!
Thanks to Eric Bacon for edits and sound, John Nolan for DPing, Margaret Meyer and Katie Mello for support and fab work, and the Tallulah for being the starlet that she is!!!
March 17, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I directed (and animated -- witness my V shaky hands;) this little bit dedicated to House Special studio pup, Tallulah!
Thanks to Eric Bacon for edits and sound, John Nolan for DPing, Margaret Meyer and Katie Mello for support and fab work, and the Tallulah for being the starlet that she is!!!
Thanks to Eric Bacon for edits and sound, John Nolan for DPing, Margaret Meyer and Katie Mello for support and fab work, and the Tallulah for being the starlet that she is!!!
It's been gratifying to jump into my first Co Directing job!
Grateful to House Special, my Co Director, Aaron Sorenson & Producer, Jenn Catalino for the support!
Coming up for air before we're totally wrapped to say that I'll be fully available as of April:)
Vis Dev, PD/ AD, and Directing
Grateful to House Special, my Co Director, Aaron Sorenson & Producer, Jenn Catalino for the support!
Coming up for air before we're totally wrapped to say that I'll be fully available as of April:)
Vis Dev, PD/ AD, and Directing
March 10, 2025 at 11:38 PM
It's been gratifying to jump into my first Co Directing job!
Grateful to House Special, my Co Director, Aaron Sorenson & Producer, Jenn Catalino for the support!
Coming up for air before we're totally wrapped to say that I'll be fully available as of April:)
Vis Dev, PD/ AD, and Directing
Grateful to House Special, my Co Director, Aaron Sorenson & Producer, Jenn Catalino for the support!
Coming up for air before we're totally wrapped to say that I'll be fully available as of April:)
Vis Dev, PD/ AD, and Directing
Reposted by Jenn Ely
Would your school or library like to choose outstanding STEM picture books for the Cook Prize? Register to Participate www.bankstreet.edu/library/cent... #bankstreet #bankstreetccl #calkinscreek #lorialexanderbooks @elyjenna.bsky.social @bankstreet.edu
March 10, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Would your school or library like to choose outstanding STEM picture books for the Cook Prize? Register to Participate www.bankstreet.edu/library/cent... #bankstreet #bankstreetccl #calkinscreek #lorialexanderbooks @elyjenna.bsky.social @bankstreet.edu
Reposted by Jenn Ely
Did we also vote with Russia against Ukraine and all the EU countries in the UN on the resolution about the war because Zelensky was disrespectful to Trump?
Oh wait, that was a week before their meeting.
Maybe this has nothing to do with the meeting and it’s something else.
Oh wait, that was a week before their meeting.
Maybe this has nothing to do with the meeting and it’s something else.
March 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Did we also vote with Russia against Ukraine and all the EU countries in the UN on the resolution about the war because Zelensky was disrespectful to Trump?
Oh wait, that was a week before their meeting.
Maybe this has nothing to do with the meeting and it’s something else.
Oh wait, that was a week before their meeting.
Maybe this has nothing to do with the meeting and it’s something else.
Goodbye 2024! It’s been a challenging year. We lost our sweet puppy Gavin, work was a bit of a wasteland, and we all went through the election cycle😱…. but there was also learning, growth, & even a few unexpected gifts<3 Looking forward to a new start.
December 31, 2024 at 11:04 PM
Goodbye 2024! It’s been a challenging year. We lost our sweet puppy Gavin, work was a bit of a wasteland, and we all went through the election cycle😱…. but there was also learning, growth, & even a few unexpected gifts<3 Looking forward to a new start.
I’ve been a little quiet, but it’s for a happy reason— I’m taking on my first project as Co Director at House Special:)
I’m still a freelancer, and a PD / Vis Dev Artist, but also really excited to stretch and try something new!
I’m still a freelancer, and a PD / Vis Dev Artist, but also really excited to stretch and try something new!
December 29, 2024 at 6:40 PM
I’ve been a little quiet, but it’s for a happy reason— I’m taking on my first project as Co Director at House Special:)
I’m still a freelancer, and a PD / Vis Dev Artist, but also really excited to stretch and try something new!
I’m still a freelancer, and a PD / Vis Dev Artist, but also really excited to stretch and try something new!
Reposted by Jenn Ely
Storyboard art for How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), dir. Chuck Jones and Ben Washam, MGM Animation/Visual Arts
December 19, 2024 at 3:13 AM
Storyboard art for How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), dir. Chuck Jones and Ben Washam, MGM Animation/Visual Arts
This is extremely old lady of me, but I got some heated booties and I am SO happy right now.
December 15, 2024 at 1:30 AM
This is extremely old lady of me, but I got some heated booties and I am SO happy right now.
An exciting thing landed in the mail! I just received my copies of #ThroughTheBows This is one of my favorite covers that I've gotten to do, and for such a cool anthology!! There's even a sketch version of it available<3 preorder at you Local comic shop, or visit DSTLRY.co to cla8m your copy!!
December 11, 2024 at 1:21 AM
An exciting thing landed in the mail! I just received my copies of #ThroughTheBows This is one of my favorite covers that I've gotten to do, and for such a cool anthology!! There's even a sketch version of it available<3 preorder at you Local comic shop, or visit DSTLRY.co to cla8m your copy!!
😭💗
🇸🇾👀 Syrian rebels have entered Assad's palace in Damascus. What Russia has been building in this country for almost 10 years has been destroyed.
‼️ This morning, the rebels announced the beginning of a new era. People in Syria are celebrating in the streets.
‼️ This morning, the rebels announced the beginning of a new era. People in Syria are celebrating in the streets.
December 8, 2024 at 6:07 PM
😭💗
When I used to teach I tried to instill the idea of moving thru short projects, rather than ‘perfecting’ 1 endlessly.
Working in commercials early on taught me the value of tons of short fast unique problems with time limits and varied personnel, then on to the next… it was a great way to learn! 👇🏻
Working in commercials early on taught me the value of tons of short fast unique problems with time limits and varied personnel, then on to the next… it was a great way to learn! 👇🏻
I've spent much of this weekend reviewing the work of emerging #kidlit writers and illustrators and offering feedback for two different organizations. Over and over this comes up.
Become obsessed with your process—with your practice—not the products of that process. Produce as much as you can.
Become obsessed with your process—with your practice—not the products of that process. Produce as much as you can.
The idea of a person laboring a single creative project for years on end stresses me out.
I’m a big believer in applying lessons learned from the last thing you made to the next thing you make.
You need to practice the beginning, middle, AND end of things over and over. This is how growth works.
I’m a big believer in applying lessons learned from the last thing you made to the next thing you make.
You need to practice the beginning, middle, AND end of things over and over. This is how growth works.
December 8, 2024 at 6:04 PM
When I used to teach I tried to instill the idea of moving thru short projects, rather than ‘perfecting’ 1 endlessly.
Working in commercials early on taught me the value of tons of short fast unique problems with time limits and varied personnel, then on to the next… it was a great way to learn! 👇🏻
Working in commercials early on taught me the value of tons of short fast unique problems with time limits and varied personnel, then on to the next… it was a great way to learn! 👇🏻
Here’s another oldie from the pitch graveyard!
This one was for Mark Gustafson<3 His wicked sense of humor always came through, even in a simple bathroom cleaner spot.
Character designed by another prolific and fabulous House Special Director, Aaron Sorenson <3
This one was for Mark Gustafson<3 His wicked sense of humor always came through, even in a simple bathroom cleaner spot.
Character designed by another prolific and fabulous House Special Director, Aaron Sorenson <3
December 8, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Here’s another oldie from the pitch graveyard!
This one was for Mark Gustafson<3 His wicked sense of humor always came through, even in a simple bathroom cleaner spot.
Character designed by another prolific and fabulous House Special Director, Aaron Sorenson <3
This one was for Mark Gustafson<3 His wicked sense of humor always came through, even in a simple bathroom cleaner spot.
Character designed by another prolific and fabulous House Special Director, Aaron Sorenson <3
I started as a fine art painter— mostly portraits. This is the “YOU STOLE FIZZY LIFTING DRINK, YOU GET NOTHING!!” Gene Wilder moment. I made a new drwng/ ptng of him every day for a while post undergrad. I’ll see if I can find more of them to share.
Fun fact: actress Blake Lively owns this one!
Fun fact: actress Blake Lively owns this one!
December 6, 2024 at 8:28 PM
I started as a fine art painter— mostly portraits. This is the “YOU STOLE FIZZY LIFTING DRINK, YOU GET NOTHING!!” Gene Wilder moment. I made a new drwng/ ptng of him every day for a while post undergrad. I’ll see if I can find more of them to share.
Fun fact: actress Blake Lively owns this one!
Fun fact: actress Blake Lively owns this one!
While I’m sharing Christmas bits— here’s a Santa that was the wrong take on a project, but I still kinda like him!
December 6, 2024 at 12:38 AM
While I’m sharing Christmas bits— here’s a Santa that was the wrong take on a project, but I still kinda like him!
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Jenn Ely, and I’m available for Picture Book work! I’ve mostly done non fiction so far, but I love color, texture, spooky stuff, and just trying new things<3
#kidlit
rep’d by Kelly Sonnack
@ksonnack.bsky.social
jennely.com
I’m Jenn Ely, and I’m available for Picture Book work! I’ve mostly done non fiction so far, but I love color, texture, spooky stuff, and just trying new things<3
#kidlit
rep’d by Kelly Sonnack
@ksonnack.bsky.social
jennely.com
December 5, 2024 at 5:47 PM
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Jenn Ely, and I’m available for Picture Book work! I’ve mostly done non fiction so far, but I love color, texture, spooky stuff, and just trying new things<3
#kidlit
rep’d by Kelly Sonnack
@ksonnack.bsky.social
jennely.com
I’m Jenn Ely, and I’m available for Picture Book work! I’ve mostly done non fiction so far, but I love color, texture, spooky stuff, and just trying new things<3
#kidlit
rep’d by Kelly Sonnack
@ksonnack.bsky.social
jennely.com
From the pitch graveyard- after the tortoise & the hare race, slow & steady ruled above all, but now the Hare is trying to show that speed is good too! I wanted to use diagonals / Xs (like his ears) because they’re the fastest route between two points, vs rigid grids / horiz + verts to reinforce!
December 4, 2024 at 10:06 PM
From the pitch graveyard- after the tortoise & the hare race, slow & steady ruled above all, but now the Hare is trying to show that speed is good too! I wanted to use diagonals / Xs (like his ears) because they’re the fastest route between two points, vs rigid grids / horiz + verts to reinforce!
I was walking Gilda this morning and something really scary happened… I heard screaming through my headphones, and I took them off and saw a white van speeding down the street, a woman was reaching and screaming out the passenger window “Get the license plate, please call someone, HELP ME HELP ME”
December 3, 2024 at 9:40 PM
I was walking Gilda this morning and something really scary happened… I heard screaming through my headphones, and I took them off and saw a white van speeding down the street, a woman was reaching and screaming out the passenger window “Get the license plate, please call someone, HELP ME HELP ME”
Here’s a few more from Wendell & Wild! I loved working on the graveyard for this one<3
December 2, 2024 at 8:17 PM
Here’s a few more from Wendell & Wild! I loved working on the graveyard for this one<3
This was one of the last pieces that I ever got to make for Mark Gustafson, co Director of GDT’s Pinocchio, and someone who gave me many of my first opportunities in this industry.
We lost him too soon. :..(<3 He was a truly good man, and I think about him often.
We lost him too soon. :..(<3 He was a truly good man, and I think about him often.
December 1, 2024 at 10:30 PM
This was one of the last pieces that I ever got to make for Mark Gustafson, co Director of GDT’s Pinocchio, and someone who gave me many of my first opportunities in this industry.
We lost him too soon. :..(<3 He was a truly good man, and I think about him often.
We lost him too soon. :..(<3 He was a truly good man, and I think about him often.
It's #NationalIllustrationDay, so I thought I'd share some of my #kidslit and Tribute art show work<3
All of these are traditionally painted with acryla gouache + some collage:)
All of these are traditionally painted with acryla gouache + some collage:)
November 29, 2024 at 6:09 PM
It's #NationalIllustrationDay, so I thought I'd share some of my #kidslit and Tribute art show work<3
All of these are traditionally painted with acryla gouache + some collage:)
All of these are traditionally painted with acryla gouache + some collage:)
One of my favorites<3
From: Madeline (1952), dir. Robert Cannon, UPA
November 27, 2024 at 11:27 PM
One of my favorites<3
I've needed to take a headshot for a while, and have avoided it because I just hate the idea of anyone judging my work by anything other than the work.... buuuut I think I figured out a way to pull my work into it?
Could be a disaster. Stay tuned!
Could be a disaster. Stay tuned!
November 27, 2024 at 11:19 PM
I've needed to take a headshot for a while, and have avoided it because I just hate the idea of anyone judging my work by anything other than the work.... buuuut I think I figured out a way to pull my work into it?
Could be a disaster. Stay tuned!
Could be a disaster. Stay tuned!