Out of the Blue 2026

All our artists are available to commission.

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

I’ve always been drawn to the changing seasons and the traditions connected with them, so the Wheel of the Year felt like the natural framework for exploring those themes. I wanted to capture that sense of connection to nature and create artwork that celebrates its rhythms and cycles. It combines everything I most enjoy creating - wildlife, botanicals, folklore and storytelling.

Gemma’s work is created digitally using a hand-drawn approach and layered textures.

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Why are you passionate about this project?

I’m passionate about this Project because it combines everything I most enjoy creating- wildlife, botanicals, folklore and storytelling. Creating these pieces gave me the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the natural world while also exploring the traditions and symbolism that connects us to the changing seasons.

The origins of the Wheel of the Year fascinate me. An ancient Celtic calendar rooted in pagan traditions, it honours the natural cycles of life. I wanted to illustrate how the cycles of nature mirror the rhythms of life. Each Sabbat, or sacred festival gives the opportunity to connect with nature.

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

I imagine this collection finding a home in illustrated books, calendars, stationery, greetings cards and puzzles. Particularly for people who enjoy nature-inspired design, seasonal living, folklore, gardening, wildlife and wellbeing.
The themes have lots of room to grow, whether through books, collections focused on wildlife and botanicals, or products celebrating seasonal traditions.

GEMIMA JO - PASSION PITCH

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

My Passion Pitch for 2026 is inspired by my deep-rooted love for all things medieval! I was particularly influenced by millefleurs tapestries, which have shaped the way I illustrate plants and figures. I pulled references from The Lady and the Unicorn as well as medieval manuscripts (the three women and the holding of hearts are both real motifs) but I wanted to give it a modern take.

Anna Stead's work is drawn and painted digitally with layered textures.

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Why are you passionate about this project?

My passion for the theme comes from my education in medieval studies, but also the strong influence of chivalry and romance (in the medieval sense) on fantasy in the modern age. I really wanted to bring a fresh twist to the timeless designs, in a time when “knight core” is having a strong revival!

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

I would love to see these designs as greetings cards, with a focus towards women. I also think a children’s book in this style would be amazing - my own children love studying all the tiny details and finding hidden secrets in my work, and I think the whimsical style would be perfect for a non-fiction book on Arthurian legends! 

ANNA STEAD - PASSION PITCH

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

The ideas for my Passion Pitch project were mostly inspired by some of my favourites childhood memories; dragons and tea.  I have always been a great lover of dragons and am fascinated by the lore surrounding them, but was struck by the fact that we most often see quite violent or malevolent depictions of them as creatures.  As I was also raised drinking tea in my household from a very early age, tea has always held a sense of comfort for me.  The idea of combining these two elements and depicting a fearsome beast in such an innocuous act seemed humorous to me.  I am also a huge admirer of traditional Chinese pottery (which often incorporates dragon designs) and thought I would pay an homage to that.  

Iona Skye Howie’s work is created digitally using a hand-rendered approach.

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Why are you passionate about this project?

I am passionate about this project because it gave me the chance to explore themes that I already know and love while simultaneously working in a colour palette which is new for me and quite outside of my comfort zone.  I also feel that these pieces challenged me stylistically in new ways and inspired even more ideas for the future. 

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

I would love to see pieces like this used for something like a book about the history of tea, for instance, but I also love to see friendly-looking dragon characters used for children’s books, board games, card games or puzzles.  Perhaps even playful product packaging for tea-related products? 

IONA SKYE HOWIE - PASSION PITCH

Have a question? We’re happy to help! Contact us studio@jehane.com

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

The idea came from a brainstorming session with Jehane combined with my love of classic fairytales and storybook illustration. I wanted to create an immersive landscape where multiple fairytales coexist in one magical world. I imagined what it might be like to wander through a fairytale hillside and discover familiar characters around every turn. 

Abby Jacobs’ work is hand-painted using gouache.

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Why are you passionate about this project?

Fairytales have always been a source of visual inspiration for me. I love creating rich detailed worlds that reward curiosity. I would spend hours as a child looking at every detail of an illustration and was always looking for a new detail I might have missed. I loved watching my children do the same and having fun conversations with them about what they see. 

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

I can see this concept expanding into a variety of formats and markets:

• A book of classic fairytales with the first illustrations combining the worlds as a sneak peek into the stories ahead. (Cover and end pages are for this idea).

• A Seek-and-Find children’s book or a puzzle would also be fun explorations of this world. 

• The concept of story worlds could also be expanded into the land of folklore, myths, nursery rhymes, etc. making this concept expandable. 

ABBY JACOBS - PASSION PITCH

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

I’m deeply inspired by the ocean, and last year I decided to take part in the 100-day project on Instagram, with a challenge called "100 Days of Drawing Waves". I wanted to create a 'wave sampler' of sorts—a collection of abstract, wavy designs to use in more complex ocean-themed illustrations in the future.

Little did I know that these tiny doodles would meet with such interest. It gained me 14,000 new followers on Instagram, as well as a press feature in Flow magazine. People truly resonated with it, appreciating both the "cute tiny stamp form" and the calming effect these drawings had on them.

Analogue versions - the original 100 Days project

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Procreate - digital versions

Composite concepts

Why are you passionate about this project?

It’s a project that came out straight from the heart. It was meant to be just a small, daily skill-building exercise, and I engaged in it without any expectations. The original project was handmade on tiny watercolour paper stamps.

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

I have now prepared an easily scalable digital version of this collection in Procreate, so it can be used on multiple products. I imagine the collection could be used for:

• Puzzles with a mosaic made of chosen illustrations (or all 100 of them). I've prepared some puzzle mockups featuring the artworks in both stamp form and without the perforated edges, in various possible compositions, so it's easier to visualize how the project could be used.

• Notebooks with a mosaic made of chosen illustrations or a set of notebooks with single illustrations on the cover, chosen from the collection.

• Set of postcards, perhaps looking like huge stamps, or mini cards, with a choice of illustrations from the project.

• A book that would combine a tutorial layer – literally 100 Ways of Drawing Waves, with my more complex painterly illustrations made based on these initial wave patterns, and with some of my photos of the sea, as well as thoughts, and quotes about the beauty of the ocean (similar to Angela Harding's books). I’d like it to be not only another “how to” book, but a treasure chest of inspiration for readers and a beautifully published book in general, definitely hardcover. I have extensive experience teaching art on Skillshare (with 14 classes published), so I'd be able to tackle both the educational and inspirational layers of such a book project.
  

EWA ROSA - PASSION PITCH

Have a question? We’re happy to help! Contact us studio@jehane.com

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

The idea came from subjects I love to illustrate, flowers, nature, animals, and beautiful everyday moments. I wanted to create a collection of images that feel warm, colourful, and full of story.

Caroline Bonne Müller’s colourful artwork is hand-painted.

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Sketches and Final Art

Mock ups - Wall-Art concepts

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

This project brings together many things I enjoy most as an illustrator. I love painting flowers, nature, and detailed scenes that invite people to look a little longer and discover new details.

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

I can see this working for gift books, stationery, puzzles, calendars, and home décor products. It could also be used for editorial projects about nature, travel, and lifestyle. 

CAROLINE BONNE MÜLLER - PASSION PITCH

Where did the idea for your Passion Pitch come from?

This collection was inspired by my long-standing love of vintage labels and packaging. I have always been fascinated by the beautiful typography, intricate details, and decorative floral elements found on old tins, bottles, and boxes. Drawing inspiration from vintage Art Nouveau designs, I created a range of floral patterns that celebrate that sense of beauty and craftsmanship.

Kate's work originates from hand-carved linocut prints, celebrating the handmade.

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Patterns

Mock-ups - Packaging concepts

Composite concept - work in progress

Why are you passionate about this project?

This project feels particularly personal because I have always been a collector and admirer of well-designed packaging. There is something special about an everyday product that has been thoughtfully designed, and I would love to see my artwork become part of that experience.

What kind of books, products, audiences or opportunities do you imagine it could lead to?

The collection has been designed to be versatile and adaptable, with applications across beauty, home fragrance, food, and lifestyle products. My hope is that these designs bring a touch of elegance and character to the products they adorn.

KATE HEISS - PASSION PITCH

All our artists are available to commission.

Creative. Unexpected. Out of the Blue.

What Our Artists Say About Out of the Blue

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"Working on Out of the Blue inspires me to take my imagination on a walk I might not have gone on otherwise. I really enjoy working on Jehane’s creative briefs, they are always packed with inspirational treasures!"

- KATHERINE QUINN

Meet the J-team

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