Gabby Zapata
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gabbyzapata.bsky.social
Gabby Zapata
@gabbyzapata.bsky.social
4.7K followers 460 following 360 posts
Art director . Character Designer 🇲🇽🇨🇴🇺🇸 Former: Disney, DWTV, Netflix, Nick hello@gabbyzapata.com
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gabbyzapata.bsky.social
Gabby Zapata @gabbyzapata.bsky.social · Sep 9
Hi! I’ll be rolling off in Oct and I’m looking for my next union gig! Please keep me in mind should you need someone with my skillset 😊 cheers!
Gabby Zapata looking for work in: Art direction, character design, visdev. Previous studios: DreamWorks tv, Disney tv, paramount, Netflix, ShadowMachine, Pixar, digital domain, Nickelodeon, spinmaster. Specializing in: art direction, character design, costume design, packaging, surfacing, development/ideation, adult & pre-school, feature/tv/series, familiar with CG/2D pipelines Email: hello@gabbyzapata.com Website: gabbyzapata.com represented by Alison Mann mann@fourthwallmanagement.com and Sam Goff goff@fourthwallmanagement.com
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
kidlitcollective.bsky.social
Today and tomorrow we are celebrating Dia De los Muertos or
Day of the Dead, with THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT
written by @writerjolene.bsky.social and Shaian Gutierrez with art by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social.
This holiday honors the lives of the deceased.
#DiaDeLosMuertos
#dayofthedead #picturebook
November 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
chroniclekidsbooks.bsky.social
¡Feliz Día de los Muertos! — Happy Day of the Dead!🕯️🏵️

Let's celebrate today with The Ofrenda That We Built, written by @writerjolene.bsky.social & Shaian Gutiérrez, with illustrations by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social🧡

Available here: smarturl.it/TheOfrendaThatWeBuilt
November 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
So much joy seeing mom have fun making these. It has helped so much with keeping her brain & motor skills healthy and she’s happy again! All sales in this collection goes towards her future dementia care shopgabbyzapata.com if you happen to buy, share a pic! I’d love to create a collage & show her!
October 16, 2025 at 7:40 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
I haven’t been up to date on here. But I open my shop at 10am for nonsubscribers (free yes!) new goodies and a new collection to help my mom’s future dementia care ♡
Shopgabbyzapata.Com
profjasonbostick.bsky.social Prof. Jason Bostick, Ed.D. @profjasonbostick.bsky.social · Oct 10
@gabbyzapata.bsky.social shop is now open for newsletter subscribers (free). 10 AM PST for general public. Mini art prints, stickers, and "blind bag" bag charms!
shopgabbyzapata.com/collections/...
Gabby Zapata Shop
Gabby Zapata Shop
shopgabbyzapata.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
profjasonbostick.bsky.social
@gabbyzapata.bsky.social shop is now open for newsletter subscribers (free). 10 AM PST for general public. Mini art prints, stickers, and "blind bag" bag charms!
shopgabbyzapata.com/collections/...
Gabby Zapata Shop
Gabby Zapata Shop
shopgabbyzapata.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
andreabrownlit.bsky.social
My Barrio Sings in Spanglish illustrated by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social

Patriots of Color at Lexington and Concord by Ray Anthony Shepard

Baby Truck @ericasirotich.bsky.social

Harry the Hairiest Laurenne Sala @isabellakung.bsky.social
My Barrio Sings in Spanglish Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to My Barrio Sings in Spanglish by Mónica Mancillas (l.), illustrated by Gabby Zapata. This picture book follows Liliana who loves to sing along to the natural music and movement of her Los Angeles barrio. Publication is set for fall 2027; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong Press represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator. Patriots of Color at Lexington and Concord Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to The Forgotten: Patriots of Color at Lexington and Concord by Ray Anthony Shepard (Runaway; A Long Time Coming), illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, an historical fiction picture book that gives voice to the Black and Brown men and women who participated in the events at Lexington and Concord in the first battles of the American Revolution. Publication is planned for 2027; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself. Baby Truck Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought world rights to Baby Truck by JD Davis (l.), illustrated by Erica Sirotich, first in a board book series about an infant truck whose days are filled with exciting activities and fun routines as he learns how to be a big boy truck. Publication is set for fall 2026; Jennifer Newens at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator in the three-book deal. Harry the Hairiest Olivia Luchini at Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to Harry the Hairiest by Laurenne Sala (l.), illustrated by Isabella Kung. The picture book follows a furry monster named Harry who longs to be appreciated for things other than his hair. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Kelly Sonnack and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and illustr
September 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
The amount of hours of time wasted dealing with health insurance is so incomprehensible to me. I shouldn’t have to jump through so many hoops in order to get something authorized that’s medically necessary 🙃
September 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Congratulations to @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, whose book THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT won an award for Excellence in Picture Book Artistry from the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California.
book cover of THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT illustrated by Gabby Zapata
September 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
monicamancillas.bsky.social
I'm so excited to announce that I will be bringing another Spanglish book baby into the world! If you liked How to Speak in Spanglish, then you will love MY BARRIO SINGS IN SPANGLISH. So excited that @gabbyzapata.bsky.social will be illustrating this book of my ❤️, a love letter to L.A. #kidlit
Cover of a picture book entitled "How to Speak in Spanglish", featuring a little boy and his Abuela, against a yellow background. Caption reads, "If you liked 'How to Speak in Spanglish', then you'll love. . .'" Caption reads, "MY BARRIO SINGS IN SPANGLISH, coming in 2027". Below is the Publisher's Marketplace announcement, which reads, "Monica Mancillas's MY BARRIO SINGS IN SPANGLISH, a standalone companion to HOW TO SPEAK IN SPANGLISH, following a girl who loves to sing along to the natural music and movement of her Los Angeles barrio, illustrated by Gabby Zapata, to Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop, in an exclusive submission, for publication in fall 2027, by Melissa Edwards at Stonesong for the author, and by Kelly Sonmack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world)." Below the announcement are headshots of the author and illustrator.
September 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
My next picture book illustration is announced! I'm so excited to share I'll be illustrating "MY BARRIO SPEAKS IN SPANGLISH" by the amazing @monicamancillas.bsky.social !! Born in Los Angeles, I'm so excited to share this love letter to LA. Coming to a bookstore near you in 2027! ❤️ #kidlitart
monicamancillas.bsky.social Mónica Mancillas Author @monicamancillas.bsky.social · Sep 9
I'm so excited to announce that I will be bringing another Spanglish book baby into the world! If you liked How to Speak in Spanglish, then you will love MY BARRIO SINGS IN SPANGLISH. So excited that @gabbyzapata.bsky.social will be illustrating this book of my ❤️, a love letter to L.A. #kidlit
Cover of a picture book entitled "How to Speak in Spanglish", featuring a little boy and his Abuela, against a yellow background. Caption reads, "If you liked 'How to Speak in Spanglish', then you'll love. . .'" Caption reads, "MY BARRIO SINGS IN SPANGLISH, coming in 2027". Below is the Publisher's Marketplace announcement, which reads, "Monica Mancillas's MY BARRIO SINGS IN SPANGLISH, a standalone companion to HOW TO SPEAK IN SPANGLISH, following a girl who loves to sing along to the natural music and movement of her Los Angeles barrio, illustrated by Gabby Zapata, to Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop, in an exclusive submission, for publication in fall 2027, by Melissa Edwards at Stonesong for the author, and by Kelly Sonmack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world)." Below the announcement are headshots of the author and illustrator.
September 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
I’ve been working on reopening my shop for holidays. And I finally found a fun activity for my mom and she has been helping me make these purse charms. She has early onset Alzheimer’s and seeing her find joy in this makes me extremely happy. The funds from these will go towards her future care 💕
Purse charm made with colorful beads
September 6, 2025 at 11:25 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
Oops it’s #kidlitartpostcard tag. Missed a word! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
gabbyzapata.bsky.social Gabby Zapata @gabbyzapata.bsky.social · Sep 4
Happy #kidlitpostcard day! I’ve illustrated 3 books so far and I’m open to more books! Info below 😊!
Kidlit postcard art. Little girl on a bicycle going across the park The ofrenda that we built book picture with a selfie Cinderella a dream is a wish your heart makes little golden book You be teacher, book cover
September 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
Happy #kidlitpostcard day! I’ve illustrated 3 books so far and I’m open to more books! Info below 😊!
Kidlit postcard art. Little girl on a bicycle going across the park The ofrenda that we built book picture with a selfie Cinderella a dream is a wish your heart makes little golden book You be teacher, book cover
September 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
kidlitcollective.bsky.social
In honor of Grief Awareness Day, we recommend two of our @kidlitcollective.bsky.social books...DANCE LIKE A LEAF by @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro and THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by @writerjolene.bsky.social, Shaian Gutiérrez and @gabbyzapata.bsky.social. #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks
August 30, 2025 at 1:50 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
I forget to add hashtags here 😅 #disney #latinxsky #characterdesign #disneyland #pixar #coco
gabbyzapata.bsky.social Gabby Zapata @gabbyzapata.bsky.social · Aug 22
I was asked to do a couple of pieces for Disney Parks Wonderground gallery 😊Ernesto De La Cruz original painting sold, but there are prints in both California and Orlando Disney parks! The original painting of Up I think is still available. Hope you get a chance to visit and see them in person!💕
August 25, 2025 at 9:38 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
I was asked to do a couple of pieces for Disney Parks Wonderground gallery 😊Ernesto De La Cruz original painting sold, but there are prints in both California and Orlando Disney parks! The original painting of Up I think is still available. Hope you get a chance to visit and see them in person!💕
August 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
writerjolene.bsky.social
Spotted on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators blog: The SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winners, including The Ofrenda That We Built by Shaian Gutiérrez, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me! Thanks to Justin Campbell and Holly Thompson for blogging! 🥰🎉

scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
August 21, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
latinxingaming.bsky.social
🌹 Happy National Latina Day 🌹

Today we celebrate the strength, brilliance, and vibrant culture of Latinas everywhere. From breaking barriers to building communities, your contributions inspire and empower.
August 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
I wish someday studios would change the narrative to make dogs the villains and not the cats. Every single movie that features both, aaaaalways the cats end up being the villains lol. 😆 Nothing against it, but change it up!
August 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
I know this may not be everyone's favorite thing from me to do, but it's something very special to me that I've been working on that I'd like to keep under wraps until the final product is out :)
open.substack.com/pub/gabbyzap...
If you'd like to support, pls feel free to subscribe to follow along!
New shop product by the holidays!
What could it be??
open.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
andreabrownlit.bsky.social
🎨 Spotlight on @gabbyzapata.bsky.social

Gabby is represented by @ksonnack.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books and black & white interiors.

Gabby's Illustrator Page
August 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
Woah! Gosh time flies!! 🤩🤩🤩
kidlitcollective.bsky.social KidLit Collective @kidlitcollective.bsky.social · Aug 6
Happy FIRST Book Birthday to THE OFFRENDA THAT WE BUILT written by @writerjolene.bsky.social and Shaian Gutiérrez with #illustrations by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social. What a year it has been! So many awards and recognitions! @chroniclebooks.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #booksky #EduSky
August 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
kidlitcollective.bsky.social
Happy FIRST Book Birthday to THE OFFRENDA THAT WE BUILT written by @writerjolene.bsky.social and Shaian Gutiérrez with #illustrations by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social. What a year it has been! So many awards and recognitions! @chroniclebooks.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #booksky #EduSky
August 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
What an honor! I’m incredibly grateful for this award! @writerjolene.bsky.social 🙏🏼💕💕💕
andreabrownlit.bsky.social Andrea Brown Literary Agency @andreabrownlit.bsky.social · Aug 2
Congratulations to @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, illustrator of THE OFRENDA WE BUILT which won the Crystal Kite Award in the Southwest region, and Lori Alexander and @elyjenna.bsky.social, the author and illustrator of CACTUS QUEEN, for receiving the honor in the same category!

The full list is here
graphic with the covers of THE OFRENDA WE BUILT and CACTUS QUEEN on a glittery backgroud
August 2, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Reposted by Gabby Zapata
gabbyzapata.bsky.social
There’s a lot of new faces around here so I thought I’d share a lil about-me on my Substack! gabbyzapata.substack.com/p/introducti... 🤗 #latinsky #characterdesigner #artist
Introduction & Journey!
Once upon a time...
gabbyzapata.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 5:34 PM