Diana Toledano

Illustrations © Diana Toledano 2015

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Sad news… I’m closing my online shop. Thank you to all my costumers over the years! Your support has meant the world to me. While it’s been amazing to see my art in all kinds of products, and to know that you were enjoying it in your homes, I can’t justify keeping my shop on @society6 any longer. The new terms of service are totally unfair to artists. With our tiny, minuscule part of the profits we are now asked to pay for shipping the products to the buyers. Even worse, Society6 implemented these changes in a sneaky and dishonest way. I found out by chance thanks to other artists. So here is my public service announcement: • ARTISTS, if you have an online store (redbubble, society6…) check your terms of service, and if you are able, take a stand. • BUYERS, please don’t buy products from predatory businesses. • #artistssupportartists #DianaToledano #artshop #society6shop #illustrationlovers #artlovers https://www.instagram.com/p/Crlrs1SJSsC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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One of the questions I get most frequently at children’s book conferences and workshops is "how did you get an agent?". So I'm sharing how I ended up working with @eastwestlit on my blog. And I'm adding some tips for those of you interested in getting an agent. Link in my profile: www.diana-toledano.com/blog (Photo by @portraitstothepeople) #literaryagent #illustrationtips #dianatoledano #artblog #illustrationblog #tipsforwriters #kidlit #kidlitartist #kidlitauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CqqbVPRPd06/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I recently did something that I hadn’t done in a while: I walked aimlessly, I stopped to draw anything that caught my eye, I sat by myself enjoying my own company… It was lovely. I was a explorer. And I have promised myself that I will keep finding time to explore. #cityexplorer #artistdate #ileftmyheartinsanfrancisco #DianaToledano #traveljournal #travelsketchbook #kidlitartist @eastwestlit (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqEB1b6v0Ci/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Did you watch the Oscars last night? This is Edith Head, she holds the record of the woman with most Oscars! With perseverance and passion she went on from being a shy kid in the Nevada desert, to wining eight Academy Awards for best costume design! Learn more about her in our picture book biography DRESSING UP THE STARS —#DressingUpTheStars written by #jeannewalkerharvey and illustrated by #DianaToledano • #costumedesigner #EdithHead #hollywoodfashion #theoscars #inspiringwomen #womentrailblazers #womenshistorymonth #goldenhollywood #fashionbooks #picturebookbiography #nonfictionpicturebook @eastwestlit @simonkids https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvOwD9JJP9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Hola! It’s #kidlitartpostcard Day and I have a big announcement to make… I’m now represented by Deborah Warren at @eastwestlit – I’m so happy to have such an amazing team on my corner! 💛 Oh, forgive me, I was so excited that I forgot to do the intro thing: ✏️ I’m Diana Toledano. I’m an illustrator, writer and educator from Spain living in California. 💛 I love mixed media art, dancing, and Spanish-style hot chocolate topped with whipped cream (so good!). 📒 My books and products have been sold all over the world. I have illustrated many titles, including the chapter book series POLLY DIAMOND, the picture book ONE SNOWY DAY, and the non-fiction biography DRESSING UP THE STARS. 
✨I am fascinated by deep stories that offer every child a place of refuge and wonder. – Give me ALL the feelings, and some humor too. ;) 
Art directors, I can’t wait to work with you! P.S.: Art from the #picturebook #DressingUpTheStars narrating the life of #costumedesigner #EdithHead, written by #jeannewalkerharvey and published by Beach Lane with @simonkids https://www.instagram.com/p/CpThODoP_n3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Reflection and Transformation — Diana Toledano

When I started working as an illustrator 13 (!!!) years ago, I had an idea of how my career was going to look… Needless to say, I got it all wrong. I thought it would be a clearly-marked, well-paved and brightly-lit road. Instead, I found a barely-there path in the forest, full of twists and turns.

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Wildflowers. May the end of your year be full of unexpected beauty. • #wildflowers #illustration #dianatoledano #illustrationartists #womenillustrators #friendsofillustration #blueartwork #unexpectedbeauty https://www.instagram.com/p/CmceiD7SEPM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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This illustrator is very excited about the new adventures on the horizon. Can’t wait to share the news! P.S. illustration from the POLLY DIAMOND book series with @alicekuipersbookclub and @chroniclekidsbooks #newhorizons #childrensbookswelove #dianatoledano #kidlitart #childrensbookart #childrensillustrator #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #womenillustrators #friendsofillustration #illustrationartists #earlychapterbooks #pollydiamond https://www.instagram.com/p/ClzUJA2SKX8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Have you ever done a snow angel? There wasn’t much snow were I grew up in Spain. I always saw it in Hollywood movies and thought it was the weirdest thing… Is this something kids really do? Tell me your experiences! I’m so curious. P.S: This is an illustration from the picture book ONE SNOWY DAY, written by Diana Murray and illustrated by @dianatoledano (that’s me!) #onesnowydaybook #dianamurray #kidlitart #picturebook #snowangel #kidsadventures #dianatoledano #winterreading #booksforkids #ilustracioninfantil #ilustradora https://www.instagram.com/p/ClEwq4nPl8-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Colors for a grey day. (And an awesome little drawing made by my niece.) Colores para un día gris. (Y un mini dibujo de mi sobrina.) #colorpaletteinspiration #kidlitartist #ilustradora #creativeday #dianatoledano https://www.instagram.com/p/CkLrHp0p1yP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Today is #kidlitpostcard day and I have a question for you… What would you want to know about my work? For example, I could tell you that I LOVE adding tiny meaningful details to my illustrations. This is a fragment from my last picture book: DRESSING UP THE STARS, The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head (written by #JeanneWalkerHarvey and published by @simonkids). Once, when Edith was starting out in Hollywood, her boss asked her to organize thousands and thousands of buttons. While this anecdote didn’t make it into the book, I drew this jar of buttons as a little wink to what was to come. Editors & art directors, I’m looking for new projects that ask readers to slow down, pour over details and soak up the mood of the story. ❤️ Agents, write me if you want us to work together! I’m looking for a new agent and excited to find just the right partnership. To learn more about me and my work, visit my website! — Link in profile. • #hornedtoad #dressingupthestars #DianaToledano #kidlitart #picturebook #picturebookillustrations #manifestingdreams #kidlitartist #ilustradora #ilustracioninfantil #picturebookbiography #edithhead https://www.instagram.com/p/CjYW_MLJE3O/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I was organizing my stamp collection the other day and look what I found! One of the first stamps I ever made… Carved on a eraser 12 years ago. A fish in a balloon because I really enjoyed drawing fish in weird places. ••• #handmadestamp #handcarvedstamp #printmaking #exploreandlearn #kidlitartist #dianatoledano #ilustradoraespañola #ilustradorainfantil #sellosamano https://www.instagram.com/p/CjTn6MlPOYb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Did you ever felt lonely as a child? I know the feeling well… Maybe that’s why this one of my favorite illustrations from DRESSING UP THE STARS, our new picture book about the life of Hollywood fashion designer Edith Head. Edith grew up in the desert, lonely and quiet, but she her creativity and imagination kept her going. That is what helped me too. What did you do to feel less lonely? ••• #DressingUpTheStars #dreamscometrue #hollywoodfashion #EdithHead #jeannewalkerharvey #newpicturebook #nevadadesert #costumedesigner @simonkids #beachlanebooks #kidlitartist https://www.instagram.com/p/CjGS2qAPX-I/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Look what I found! Tiny character proofs from working on the picture book ONE SNOWY DAY ❄️(written by @dianamurrayauthor and published by @sourcebookskids) Swipe to see how this character ended up. Did you do snow angels when you were a kid? Do you do them now? #illustrationprocess #dianatoledano #onesnowydaybook #dianamurray #sourcebookskids #creativeprocess #illustratorsketchbook #kidlitart https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciddknfv40G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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My dears, today and tomorrow (Sept 8th and 9th) pre-order DRESSING UP THE STARS at @barnesandnoble and get 25% off! I can’t wait to share this book with all of you. 🤩 Please please please buy it! #dressingupthestars #edithhead #supportbookstores #dianatoledano #costumedesigner #hollywoodglamour #hollywoodgoldenage #picturebookbiography https://www.instagram.com/p/CiQg8dDvpdW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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What do you see approaching in the distance? I have lots of things to look forward to in September… My baby’s second birthday. A new picture book (check out #DressingUpTheStars) The @scbwisf Golden Gate Conference with @catia_chien & @scbwi Being a guest in the podcasts @ilustrandodudas & @picturebook_look Do you have anything fun coming up? Tell me all about it! P.S. It’s #kidlitpostcard day and I’m looking for new projects and an agent that is just-right-for-me. To learn more about me and my work, visit my website! — Link in profile. Illustration from the baby book ROCKING BED OF DREAMS with @simonkids • #choosingjoy #thingstolookforwardto #DianaToledano #kidlitart #picturebook #picturebookillustration #boardbook #babybookworm #babyadventure #rockingbedofdreams https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch-0WtkvhiH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Hola! It’s #kidlitartpostcard day! (It’s one of the few reasons I still log onto Instagram from time to time 😅) This is the protagonist of my upcoming picture book: DRESSING UP THE STARS. Pre-order to learn more about fantastic movie costume designer Edith Head! By the way, I’m looking for *my dream* literary agent. Get in touch if you are super super organized, a good communicator and fun to work with. To learn more about me and my work, visit my website! — Link in profile. • #kidlitartpostcardday #edithhead #picturebook #artistdesk #moviecostumes #moviecostumedesigner https://www.instagram.com/p/CfuxfbdvOYA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=