First Nations illustrator Jade Goodwin's journey as an illustrator began at an early age in her grandparents' screen printing studio - where she would spend an endless amount of time crafting anything she could from the studio supplies.

After landing a position in the the children's publishing industry, Goodwin's spark for illustrations truly bloomed. In November 2021, Goodwin signed her first picture book contract with Penguin Random House, which paved the way for her to work with leading publishers such as HarperCollins, Hachette, Allen & Unwin, Magabala, Hardie Grant (Bright Light) and Affirm Press.

Committed to showcasing a range of perspectives through her illustrations, this month Style Up spoke with the talented creative on she has grown her career.

"I always say that myself becoming an illustrator feels a bit like a rom-com — we were always meant to be together, we just took the most unconventional way to get there. I didn't always know exactly what I wanted to be growing up, I always loved being creative," Goodwin told Style Up.

"My grandparents had a screen-printing studio when I was a kid, and some of my fondest memories are of being in that space with my cousins, making anything I could dream up out of pens, paper, and sticky tape - and if I promised to be careful, I was even allowed to use the stapler. That access to unlimited creativity really shaped me.

"After high school, I enrolled in a Fine Arts degree but dropped out before the end of my first semester. I realised I didn't want to be an "artist" in the traditional oil-painting sense. I worked in galleries for a few years, supporting other artists, before finally purchasing my first iPad (after convincing myself three times that I didn't need it).

"With some gentle encouragement from my partner, I started sharing my illustrations on Instagram, more as a digital sketchbook than anything else. One of those posts, which I almost deleted, ended up leading to my first book contract. That same artwork was later picked up for another project too, and it completely changed the way I think about sharing work and putting myself out there."

Goodwin said being a First Nations woman shapes the way she sees the world and the stories she shares.

"My identity as a Gamilaroi woman is always there — sometimes in obvious ways, sometimes quieter, but always present. Being a First Nations woman shapes the way I see the world and the kind of stories I care about telling," she said.

"I'm deeply guided by connection, empathy, community, and care, and those values filter through everything I create. I try to make space for representation and create art that feels safe, warm, and real."

Goodwin said the opportunity to acknowledge those she cares about has been a highlight of her work.

"Honestly, being able to dedicate books to the people I love most. Knowing that a few words on a page will live on in those books forever, that's pretty special. Career wise, receiving the Magabala Creative Development Scholarship in 2024 was a huge highlight. It allowed me to attend the Bologna Children's Book Fair and take part in a picture book writing retreat in Tuscany hosted by the amazing Zanni Louise," she said.

"I've also loved being part of writers' festivals and visiting schools. Connecting with kids who love the books I've worked on is always the biggest reminder of why I do this. I want to keep making things that unique little humans can see themselves in."

Goodwin said working as an illustrator has been a joy but also challenging.

"It's a bit of a catch-22 — I've never loved anything more than being an illustrator, but it's also much harder than most people expect. I think a lot of people imagine it's just drawing all day, but so much of the work happens behind the scenes: admin, contracts, deadlines, chasing invoices, juggling multiple projects at once," she said.

"It can also be really isolating. Working from home as a freelancer means a lot of solo time, and you have to keep yourself motivated, even when things feel uncertain. Financially, it's a challenge too — considering this is my full time job I would say currently I'm surviving, not thriving. Unless you're one of the rare breakout names, the book illustrating career is not a high-earning job. That's been a tough but important reality to learn.

"Still, despite all that, I honestly wouldn't trade it. I live and breathe this work — I even draw for fun when I'm not working. Towards the end of 2024 I started to shift gears a little, finding new ways to sustain my work by building multiple income streams all under the one 'illustrator hat.' Alongside book illustration, I run school and festival visits through my agent at SpeakersInk, and I'm represented by SolidLines/Jacky Winter for commercial and publishing work. Having a mix of creative outlets helps keep things flowing creatively and financially.

"At the end of the day, getting to make something that connects with a kid (or kid at heart) that makes them feel seen, or sparks their imagination is the magic that makes it all worth it."

Goodwin has a few projects in the works for 2025 but also wants to enjoy and prioritise some downtime and reflect on what she has achieved so far.

"I wrapped up work on three picture books in January, all written by mob, and all stories that mean a lot to me. Those will be out later this year. I feel like I've now found my place in the industry, and that gives me the space to really pour my heart into each book," she said.

"Right now, I've got a few potential projects floating in the air but nothing major locked in, which is both a blessing and a big adjustment. After having 19 books published in my first two years, learning to embrace downtime and trust that it's part of the cycle has been something new for me."

Jade Goodwin is represented by First Nations led illustration agency Solid Lines.

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