Joy Leonard
Children's storybook and cover art illustrator.
New to Contra
Joy is ready for their next project!
"Our Big Beautiful View" started with a simple idea: what if curiosity led the way? I explored soft watercolor textures, gentle movement, and expressive characters to capture the excitement of reaching somewhere new. Each illustration was designed to feel light, open, and full of wonder, like a deep breath at the top of a mountain.
If you could step into one view and keep it forever, what would it be? 🌄✨
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The Secret Garden Window is a gentle, heartwarming story about two best friends, Mia and Elara, who discover a hidden, magical garden through a forgotten school window. Their shared creativity and curiosity strengthen their friendship, showing that true magic lives in simple, shared moments.
I illustrated the book in a soft, hand-drawn watercolor style with delicate hues and organic textures to evoke a dreamy, emotional atmosphere.
The client praised the illustrations for their harmony, emotion, and beauty, calling the final work “magical, heartfelt, and visually captivating.”
It remains one of my favorite projects, celebrating childhood wonder and friendship😊
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This collection features a series of 3D Disney cartoon-style Christmas storybook covers, each bursting with festive warmth, color, and magic. Every design captures the joy and wonder of the holiday season.
With expressive characters, rich storytelling detail, and a cinematic feel, these covers are crafted to inspire imagination and holiday cheer. A perfect blend of charm, nostalgia, and modern 3D artistry, this collection celebrates the timeless spirit of Christmas through the eyes of childhood.
Love love ittt!😍 😊
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Project: The Day of the Rainbow Drum
A vibrant African-inspired children’s story celebrating unity, culture, and creativity through the eyes of Lindiwe, a cheerful girl from the village of Kwena.
The goal was to create expressive 3D Disney-style illustrations that captured the rhythm, warmth, and beauty of African heritage.
Through detailed costume design, cultural accuracy, and glowing color harmony, each image reflected the spirit of togetherness and pride, bringing the Festival of Heritage to life with heart and authenticity😊
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I recently completed a heartwarming Christmas-themed children’s story about kindness and friendship in Evergreen Hollow. The project follows three children, Ella, Leo, and Sophie, who discover the joy of giving through a magical Christmas switch.
The goal was to create vibrant 3D Disney-style illustrations that capture emotion, warmth, and festive storytelling for young readers.
The challenges I faced included balancing diversity, lighting consistency, and the story’s gentle tone.
To solve this, I used expressive character design and cinematic color harmony to convey feeling.
Each scene captured both the wonder of Christmas and emotional depth.
The final art? A visually captivating, publisher-ready storybook for young readers.
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