I am a Ukrainian American children’s book illustrator and artist with a master’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts and more than 15 years of experience in art and design. I recently completed the full illustration and visual development of a children’s book, including character design, narrative scenes, cover artwork, and print-ready layout. I work in both traditional and digital media and create expressive characters, atmospheric settings, and warm, emotionally engaging visual stories.…

Iryna Gusiuk

I am a Ukrainian American children’s book illustrator and artist with a master’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts and more than 15 years of experience in art and design. I recently completed the full illustration and visual development of a children’s book, including character design, narrative scenes, cover artwork, and print-ready layout. I work in both traditional and digital media and create expressive characters, atmospheric settings, and warm, emotionally engaging visual stories.…

Available to hire

I am a Ukrainian American children’s book illustrator and artist with a master’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts and more than 15 years of experience in art and design. I recently completed the full illustration and visual development of a children’s book, including character design, narrative scenes, cover artwork, and print-ready layout. I work in both traditional and digital media and create expressive characters, atmospheric settings, and warm, emotionally engaging visual stories.

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Language

English
Intermediate
Ukrainian
Fluent
Russian
Fluent

Work Experience

Children’s Book Illustrator and Book Designer at Leading Ukrainian Publishing Houses
January 1, 2023 - Present
Collaborated as an illustrator and book designer with leading Ukrainian publishing houses, including Teza Publishing House, Chas Maistriv Publishing House, and The Old Lion Publishing House. Created illustrations, character designs, covers, and visual concepts for professionally published children’s and young adult books. Developed cohesive visual narratives, maintained consistent characters and style throughout each publication, and prepared artwork and layouts for professional printing.
Independent Visual Artist and Illustrator at Independent Practice
January 2, 2022 - Present
Work as an independent visual artist and illustrator in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Create figurative paintings and narrative illustrations using oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, and digital media. Exhibit work regionally and nationally in museums, galleries, juried exhibitions, and art competitions. My illustration practice includes visual storytelling, character development, book illustration, cover design, and visual projects exploring displacement, women’s experiences, resilience, and belonging.
Independent Art Educator at Independent Practice
January 1, 2022 - Present
Provide advanced instruction in drawing, painting, composition, and portfolio development for children and adults in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Founder and Chief Interior Designer at Independent Interior Design Studio
January 2, 2017 - December 1, 2022
Founded and led an independent interior design studio in Odesa, Ukraine. Managed residential and commercial projects from concept through presentation and implementation, including client communication, visual development, materials, and project coordination.
Professor of Drawing, Painting, and Composition at M. B. Grekov Odesa Art College
January 1, 2008 - December 1, 2021
Taught academic drawing, painting, composition, color theory, collage, and illustration at one of Ukraine’s leading art colleges. Guided students through portfolio development, exhibitions, art competitions, and professional preparation. Developed curricula, provided individual critiques, curated student exhibitions, and served on juries for regional children’s and youth art competitions.
Methodologist at Department of Culture and Tourism of the Odesa Regional State Administration
January 2, 2007 - November 27, 2008
Coordinated professional-development seminars, teaching demonstrations, consultations, student exhibitions, and regional art competitions for arts educational institutions. Served as the staff member responsible for the Fine Arts section and supported instructors and students across the Odesa region.

Education

M.A., Fine Arts and Applied Decorative Arts at K. D. Ushynskyi South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2005
Master’s-level education in fine arts, applied decorative arts, art education, drawing, painting, composition, and design.
Specialist Diploma, Fine Arts and Applied Decorative Arts at M. B. Grekov Odesa Art College
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 2001
Professional training in academic drawing, painting, composition, illustration, and applied decorative arts.

Qualifications

Women Artists on the Rise — Top 100
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Recognized among the Top 100 Women Artists on the Rise.
Mississippi Arts Commission Grant Recipient
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Selected as a grant recipient by the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Award of Excellence
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Award of Excellence from the Ocean Springs Art Association / Walter Anderson Museum of Art.
Exhibition Award
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Exhibition Award at the Ocean Springs Art Association Fall Show.
Excellence in Watercolor and Betty & Bo Oswald Memorial Award
January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Received two awards at the 47th Spring Art Show & Exhibition, Singing River Art Association: Excellence in Watercolor for “Oranges” and the Betty & Bo Oswald Memorial Award for “Passing Through.”

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other
    Parables of Grandpa Korniy — The Road
    A lyrical countryside illustration created for “Parables of Grandpa Korniy,” published by Chas Maistriv Publishing House. The composition combines landscape, intergenerational storytelling, and the warm emotional connection between a child and her grandfather.…
    Stories for Ages 10–12 — Chess Scene
    A painterly narrative illustration created for a professionally published collection of stories for readers aged 10–12. The scene focuses on character, gesture, concentration, and quiet emotional tension.…
    Parables of Grandpa Korniy — The Nail in the Tree
    A symbolic children’s book illustration created for “Parables of Grandpa Korniy,” published by Chas Maistriv Publishing House. The scene uses expressive character design, natural forms, and visual metaphor to support the moral meaning of the story.…
    Parables of Grandpa Korniy — Forest Encounter
    A dramatic forest illustration created for “Parables of Grandpa Korniy,” published by Chas Maistriv Publishing House. I used stylized color, scale, and light to create mystery, tension, and emotional depth.…
    Full Zero — Character Portraits
    Expressive character portraits created for “Full Zero” by Olha Savytska, published by Teza Publishing House. The illustration explores the characters’ personalities, emotions, and relationship through facial expression, contrast, and a restrained color palette.…
    Full Zero — Character Dialogue Illustration
    Character-driven illustration for “Full Zero” by Olha Savytska, published by Teza Publishing House. This expressive portrait scene supports an emotionally complex story for young readers…
    Rescuing Finnley — Barn Rescue Scene
    An atmospheric storybook spread from “Rescuing Finnley,” combining suspense, warm light, and expressive animal character design.…
    Rescuing Finnley — City Search Scene
    A detailed narrative spread showing a community searching for a lost dog. I created the character interactions, urban environment, visual pacing, and print-ready book illustration.…
    Rescuing Finnley — Children’s Book Illustration

    Complete illustration and visual development for “Rescuing Finnley,” a children’s book based on a true story.

    I created the character designs, cover artwork, narrative illustrations, atmospheric environments, and print-ready book layout. The project required maintaining consistent characters throughout the book while combining emotional storytelling, readability, and visual warmth.

    My role included children’s book illustration, character development, cover design, and book layout.