Julian Plum
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julianplum.com
Julian Plum
@julianplum.com
1.7K followers 840 following 890 posts
Picture book illustrator working in gouache! he/they 🏳️‍⚧️ 🖌️ 🌿

WHOSE TREE IS THIS (Singer, Lerner, S '26)
THE HOUSE THAT FEELS LIKE ME (Allen, LBYR, F '26)
Rep'd by Naomi Davis @ BookEnds Literary

💌 contact: [email protected]
🎨 portfolio: julianplum.com
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julianplum.com
Julian Plum @julianplum.com · Nov 6
Hello #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Julian, a queer 🏳️‍⚧️ picture book illustrator working in gouache. I've climbed out of the final art mines to wave around a little flag that says "let me illustrate a book about frogs or bugs!"

🌌 julianplum.com
💌 [email protected]

#kidlitart #picturebooks #art 🐸 🌿
Gouache painting in lush dark green and blue featuring a cross-section of a pond at night. A green harlequin-patterned frog with a hint of tadpole tail climbs half out of the water into the cattails, looking at the stars. In the darkness lurks a taloned heron foot. The water is full of tadpoles, pond weed, insect larvae, and frog eggs. A single bright mayfly hangs on a cattail leaf above the frog's head. Text below reads JULIAN PLUM | Represented by Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary, julianplum.com
Reposted by Julian Plum
dumplingmenace.bsky.social
every time someone has asked me the last week or so about priorities it is rental assistance. please please please people need rent to stay in their homes. scroll down to rent relief funds and pick something www.standwithminnesota.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:13 PM
julianplum.com
It's the smallest thing in the world when you look at everything but I am. I'm pretty tired of trans men being used as some kind of gotcha by well-meaning folks pushing against bathroom bans. "This big hairy gross guy is gonna be in the bathroom with your daughter" isn't actually helpful.
January 29, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
charlenedraws.bsky.social
The auction is LIVE now if you want to bid on any of the items!

#kidlit
charlenedraws.bsky.social Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 2d
I’m donating a portfolio or picture book manuscript/dummy review to this auction to benefit folks in Minnesota!

You can bid here: tinyurl.com/476wtx8n

#kidlit #books
Pic of donation graphic for Publishing for Minnesota
January 29, 2026 at 4:18 PM
julianplum.com
My friend Diggory is an incredible artist with the biggest heart and the worst luck and if you want cool art and to help an amazing guy at the same time this is a great chance ❤️
diggosaurus.bsky.social Diggory @diggosaurus.bsky.social · 3d
Okay friends, I need to start taking on commissions ASAP or I am straight up going to be living out of my car(that doesn't run 😩). I'll add context in a 🧵, but for now please share. These will be physical artworks that can be mailed to you!

Sketch page: 50+
B&W 9"x12": 100
Color 9"x12": 300
A page of pencil sketches depicting several anthropomorphic characters. A handsome viking-esque horned wolf leans in over a tankard of grog, a pig-nosed creature is tormented by their draconic partner, a judgemental bear squints over its shoulder, and a goat has just found an exciting fact in an old book. A commissioned sketch page of this level of detail would run closer to $100 tbh An art piece composed of black and white ink upon tan-toned paper depicting that of a human character communing with their spiritual connection to the world. The black ink illustrates the "human" and the white ink layered over that implies wings, antlers, a tail, and large talons. Feathers cover the floor around the character's feet, and seem to be drawn with a blend of the black and the white- hopefully representing that the outcome, life, is affected by both sides A portrait of my dog! This was drawn for a contest we were in last year. Alcohol ink markers, babey!
January 27, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
katemessner.com
The Publishing for Minnesota auction launches this week to support groups providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need.
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Reposted by Julian Plum
maggietokudahall.bsky.social
I LOVE TO SEE THE RIGHT CHOICES BEING MADE I SIMPLY LOVE IT!!!!
technolibrary.bsky.social Carolyn Foote @technolibrary.bsky.social · 4d
Caldecott winner announced!
January 26, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
charlenedraws.bsky.social
I’m contributing to this auction.

Waiting for my auction item to go up on IG before posting the direct link; link to the whole auction & more details in comment.

Pls bid, or share if you can’t bid!

#kidlit #booksky
Screencap of auction Publishing for Minnesota. Text details the initiative and where the auction funds may go.
January 25, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
labillustration.bsky.social
This incredible woman was the subject of an AI alteration by THE WHITE HOUSE. She has been outspoken about ICE and has been an incredible activist. Donate to her legal defense fund here:

gofund.me/1a9a69721
Donate to Support Nekima Levy Armstrong’s Legal Defense, organized by Daja Williams
For years, Nekima has been at the forefront of the movement for racial jus… Daja Williams needs your support for Support Nekima Levy Armstrong’s Legal Defense
gofund.me
January 25, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
alinapleskova.bsky.social
this list by @naomikritzer.bsky.social is excellent & helpful, & of course i hate that we need it, but we really need it. please read & share.

everyone can do at least one thing from this list every day & that's a fact.

naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota
I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you more or less understand the situation in Minnesota and I don’t have to explain it to you! That said, I do have a section of lo…
naomikritzer.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Julian Plum
sguillory262.bsky.social
🌟A WISH WITH WINGS got an absolutely gorgeous starred review from Kirkus! I’m so excited to share Evan’s story—out May 19th!🌟
@mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @ashliterary.bsky.social
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
A WISH WITH WINGS | Kirkus Reviews
Twelve-year-old Evan faces a moral dilemma: Reveal what she knows and hurt others or stay silent and hurt herself.
www.kirkusreviews.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM
julianplum.com
hyping myself up: it's actually so cool & fun & neat that I had to drop $$$ on a new computer setup I'm mid-revision bc my laptop has decided it's had enough

I love this for me & definitely will to hit my deadline. actually having to take a break & then work up to the wire will be good and cool

🫠
January 19, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
trungles.com
Things continue.

#iceoutmpls #iceoutcomics #iceoutofmpls
In a lot of ways, I'm really lucky. I work from home. I write and draw books. I still experience a lot of the same normal creative issues. I'm burned out. My current project frustrates me. But a few things in my routine have changed. Me: Hey, mom. Are the cousins okay? How's grandma? And your sisters? Me: Oh, good. Yeah. Okay, that's good. I'll call you later. Watching Bob's Burgers on repeat while I work. My friends check in from time to time. Text: I got rubber-bulleted by ICE just on my way back from work. Ouch. Text: Hey I'm gonna observe tomorrow at the protest. I'll text every hour, and if you don't hear from me, please call [number] and give them my identifying information. I'd probably be at the Whipple. Okay? Text: They knocked on my door, but I'm okay. I demanded a signed judicial warrant, and they couldn’t provide one, so they left. I’m worried all the time. Very little in the news feels encouraging. Headline: Mayor Kaohly Her says she was told to carry a passport amid ICE operations in Minnesota St. Paul Mayor elect Kaobly Her says her office received reports of federal agents going door-to-door asking where the Asian people are. KARE11 January 16, 2026 And it makes me feel utterly untethered from reality when I have to live like this and just get back to work and draw my stupid little cartoons. Nothing else feels real or important right now. But my neighbors are doing such a great job staying engaged and finding needs to meet. Text: I'm running to Costco and picking up some canned goods to run to the food shelf. Let me know if you want to donate anything. Text: I'll throw in for some canned goods! Text: Me too! Text from me: What's your Venmo? I can contribute.
January 19, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Reposted by Julian Plum
trungles.com
Abolish ICE. A little journal comic from South Minneapolis.

#iceoutmpls #iceoutcomics #iceoutofmpls
Just before Christmas, I got a puppy. Her name is Minerva, and we call her *Minnie. I'm still learning how to understand her. Me: Do you need to go outside? Do you need to go outside, little baby? Do you need to do a poo? Do you need to do a widdle piddle? Minnie: Arf! *I just call her "little baby" most of the time. I'm also realizing I can't turn off the baby talk now. Nobody tells you about that. I got so lucky with my first puppy. Her wonderful foster parents had her completely house-trained by the time we adopted her, so taking her outside for potty time has been pretty easy. I've got the puppy poopy routine pretty much down, now. Me, putting on my coat: Let's see... I got the little poopy bags, puppy treats for bribes, jacket, scarf, phone… I think that's everything… Oh yes! And my passport. I had been carrying around my passport for a while, but I knew it didn't matter. This is wrong. Nobody is required to carry around their papers. I became a US citizen when I was seven. Since I was born in a refugee camp, I was stateless. The US is the only nation where I've ever held citizenship. It's the only passport I've ever had, and it still felt important. Protective. I would hold it in my pocket like a talisman, like it might ward off ghosts or something. But I realized I was holding onto it basically out of superstition. ICE will pick up anybody. I know that. So I tucked my passport away. And I largely avoid leaving my house. I live a few blocks just South of George Floyd Square. I was in the neighborhood for that, too. And all the neighbors came together to protect each other. We're already organized. We'll do our best to get through this. Me, to my dog: I hope I can take you for a walk someday soon. Won't that be nice, little baby?
January 16, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
idreamofentropy.bsky.social
Hey there! There's a GoFundMe to help a trans person get to safety. Florida is rough as hell.

gofund.me/09f29e7a5
Donate to Help a queer black person get out of Florida, organized by Raven Brun
I moved from Georgia to Florida last year in March to escape my abusive family… Raven Brun needs your support for Help a queer black person get out of Florida
gofund.me
January 18, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
gregpak.net
Comics friends! Please look at what @trungles.com and a bunch of other comics people are doing and join in! #IceOutComics
ICE OUT Cartoonists against ICE Calling on cartoonists and artists to tell your stories about the ICE occupation of your towns and cities! *4-panel comics* *3:4 Instagram format* Use this Blue: *There is a color drop block of blue to copy * Use these hashtags: #iceout[your city] #iceoutmpls #iceoutcomics
January 16, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
ziibiing.com
crazy that the website that I randomly decided to put together at 10AM yesterday has had over 25k unique visitors in 24 hours.

please keep sharing with your networks.
Stand With Minnesota
A directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:24 PM
julianplum.com
!!!! I emerge from my winter hibernation to yell like a blue jay about the fact that WE GOT A KIRKUS STAR!!!

"Plum supplies vibrant gouache compositions that strike the right balance between scientific verisimilitude and sprightly child appeal."

I could be normal and chill about this but AHHH
carolhinz.bsky.social Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 18d
Really wonderful Kirkus star for WHOSE TREE IS THIS? by Marilyn Singer and @julianplum.com: "Accessible, engaging, and important—STEAM writing at its best." ⭐

Full review: www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
WHOSE TREE IS THIS? | Kirkus Reviews
Singer examines a white oak tree’s central role in creating habitat for 13 species.
www.kirkusreviews.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:56 PM
julianplum.com
who all is celebrating the important national holiday* this week

*the release of prehistoric planet season 3
November 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
julianplum.com
did some warmup paintings from requests over on tumblr and pulled out this little cedar waxwing eating rose hips! gouache in my sketchbook is so fun.

#art #sketchbook #gouache #kidlitart
A gouache illustration of a cedar waxwing, a brown-and-white bird with dramatic dark eye feathers, perched sideways on a branch full of bright red rose hips.
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
nooskadraws.bsky.social
ye olde trans rights. now and forever. 🏳️‍⚧️✨

#TDOR #TransDayofRemembrance
A digital illustration of a medieval banner. It says in medieval inspired script "ye olde trans rights". It is decorated with plants and blue, pink, and white flowers.
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
julianplum.com
Artists! Qrp:

✨ the first piece you did in 2025
✨ your favourite piece of the year
✨ your most popular piece of the year
✨ your most recent piece
A snowy painting of a landscape in the late afternoon. A covey of white-feathered willow partridge look over the landscape at a group of geese taking off from a near-frozen pond. Trees cast blue shadows over the white snow. An intricate painting of a green frog, half out of a pond, looking up at the stars. The frog isn't fully developed yet, and emerges from a cross-section of a pond full of eggs, tadpoles, and lacy pondweed. It clings to a mossy bank full of cattails. A golden mayfly hangs delicately above. In the shadows stalks a heron. A shimmering school of small silver fish surround a glowing pearl. A golden-furred jackalope with glowing antlers stares, starry-eyed, at the viewer. Stars burst around it on a dark blue ground.
November 19, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social
On Sunday the 30th PRI's Museum of the Earth will celebrate Antarctica Day, including a talk by Dr. Alejandra Gandolfo,"When Antarctica Was Green: Fossil Plants Reveal Its Crucial Role in the Evolution of Southern Hemisphere Floras" come check it out #Ithaca #Antarctica

tockify.com/paleontologi...
Antarctica Day Celebration
Sun 30 Nov, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM [EST]: Discover the secrets of the South Pole—because penguins don’t hang with Santa! Experience the wonders of Antarctica at the Museum of the Earth’s Antarctica Day ev...
tockify.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
julianplum.com
trans/gnc/queer art pals come hawk your wares (is that the right verb??? who can say!). show off!! you deserve it!!
sandyernestallen.bsky.social Sandy Ernest Allen @sandyernestallen.bsky.social · Nov 18
trans/gnc/queer artists, I want to see the things you make! send me your online shops! potters/ceramicists especially perhaps but also stuff that's cute and/or funny, please! reposts welcomed ...
November 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
ziibiing.com
Finally!

My new book Boarding Schools and the Indigenous Story is a comprehensive history of the efforts of the US government to remove native children from their families, from colonization to today. For middle grades, but for everyone.

You can pre-order here: www.rhcbooks.com/books/744961...
Boarding Schools and the Indigenous story cover
November 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Julian Plum
franzanth.bsky.social
Hello internets, there's a paleontological museum in danger of being closed. Please help.
fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social Dr. Brendan Anderson @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social · Nov 17
Well it seems it is going to be to late for @lastweektonight.com to help with their hiatus. Any suggestions for a big sci com/science interested news account I should play with to help save PRI?

Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
infographic about the Paleontological Research institution. 94 years of research here. One of the 10 largest fossil collections in the USA, with 7 million specimens. 1.2 million users of their online content annually, 30,000 in person visitors 1,500 teachers use PRI for continuing education each year link to donate: https://www.priweb.org/donate infographic explaining that PRI needs to raise 1 million dollars by December 31st to pay off their mortgage, be free of that debt and continue future operations. They have already raised 2.1 million of the 3.1 million needed to pay this unexpected expense due to a major donor being unable to fulfill a long-term pledge
November 17, 2025 at 2:32 AM