Mai Kemble

Mai Kemble – Designer

My art is hand-drawn and digitally colored. I love to marry illustrations to text- making each story unique for a lasting childhood memory.

Overview

What's my process? I have been a freelance illustrator for 15 years. My hand-drawn images have been featured in picture books, board books, clothing, websites, etc.. I have experience designing these books from sketch to finish as digital files that are print-ready. Each project begins by reading the manuscript and learning what the writer's vision is for their story. After creating sketches of the characters I can then move on to layout or a book dummy. The cover is usually last because it needs to sum up the overall tone of the story. If needed I can also place text and other elements needed such as barcodes and publishing information. Each stage is shown to my clients for approval before moving forward. I find that this method works best so there is an initial look established for the entire book and there are no surprises.

What do I get out of it? I aim to evoke emotions from readers and give each story a real personality and message. I have loved picture books since revisiting them in college while studying illustration and have been a serious collector. I love studying their rhythm and how the writer and illustrator can perfect how to best convey the story. They are the ultimate medium to reach a child's own private world of thought and imagination. I want the books I work on to reach that viewer's heart. I take these projects seriously (yes, even the humor books) and approach them as cherished creations by each writer.

What do you get? You will get the absolute best attempt at making your story be the best it can be- full of heart and endearing images that hopefully will stay with the reader for life.
Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Fantasy Holiday Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • SCBWI Illustration "Cruising" Winner 2007
  • SCBWI Featured Artist 2007
Certifications
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration in 2005

Work experience

Childish Mane LLC

Jan, 2024 — May, 2024 (4 months)
Illustrator for picture book Hair Say by Anisha Davis.

Littlebookshut L.L.C.

Oct, 2023 — Jul, 2024 (9 months)
Illustrator for picture book Girls Can Fly Kites Too! by Nickol A Hutton Taylor.

Cedric D. Fisher & Company Publishers

Oct, 2023 — Nov, 2023 (28 days)
Illustrator for picture book Charlie and Smudge on the Farm by Ellen Zimmerman.

Max The Pup Publishing

Jan, 2023 — Apr, 2023 (3 months)
Illustrator for picture book The Hat In The Closet: A Halloween Story by Julie Costa Langley.

Pink Nickel Publishing

Dec, 2022 — Jan, 2024 (about 1 year)
Illlustrator for picture book The Purple Papaya by Yvette Brown.

Blue Spring Publishing

Sep, 2022 — Nov, 2022 (about 2 months)
Illustrator for picture book The Secret of Christmas by Keith Alkek.

The Magnus Company

Feb, 2022 — Jun, 2022 (4 months)
Illustrator for picture book Sloane in the City by Jade Ogunnaike

White Feather Interpreting, LLC

Mar, 2021 — May, 2021 (2 months)
Illustrator for picture book I Don't Like That! by Julie Balassa

Ewonderment, LLC

Apr, 2020 — Aug, 2020 (4 months)
Illustrator for picture book Festival of the Elves by Angeli Elliott

Bowker

Jan, 2019 — Jul, 2019 (6 months)
Illustrator for picture book My Dragon by Monique Nelsen.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
What Is Saudade?

Costa Langley, Julie

Max The Pup Publishing

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
The DOG with NO WAG

Thomassen, Kalyn

Bymyhand Books

Illustration
Hattie Goes Golfing

Spiranac, Paige

Back Nine Press

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
I Don't Like That!

Tales, White Feather

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Girls Can Fly Kites Too !

Hutton Taylor, Nickol A

Littlebookshut

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
What Dood Wants

Gilmore, Brittany

Independently published

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Dood and the First Day of School

Gilmore, Brittany

Bumblebee Books

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Clara and the Pink Unicorn

Fogarty, James

DGS

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
The Hat In The Closet: A Halloween Story

Langley, Julie Costa

Max The Pup Publishing

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Adelaide and the House Mouse

Fogarty, James

DGS

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Festival of the Elves Activity Book: Christmas Activity Book Created by Elves: for kids 5 - 10 years. Elf codes, mazes, amazing coloring pages, word search and more.

Figgyworth, Holly

Independently published

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Smudge & Charlie on the Farm

Zimmerman, Ellen L.

Independently published

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Goodbye Hospital: A Book about Healthcare Friendships

Kurth, Carsen

Independently published

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
A Wish for Captain: Helping Kids Cope with Grief with an Uplifting Tale of Pets, Loss, and Healing

O'Malley, Maisy

Maisy O'Malley

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Chasing Chase

St. Amant, Sherryce

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Julianne and the Shaggy Dog

Fogarty, James

Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Festival of the Elves The Magic Around You

Elliott, Angeli J

Illustration
My Dragon

Works, Tubby

Illustration

Mai has 30 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

kalyn T.

kalyn T.

Sep, 2024

Mai has been a pleasure to work with. She is very talented and has no problem listening to her client's input. She is just awesome and her creative ability outstanding.
Mai K.
Thank you Kalyn!
James F.

James F.

Jul, 2024

This is the 3rd book I've done with Mai, and I'm constantly impressed with her responsiveness, ability, and creativity. She puts so much effort into her work, and helps with every small issue I have. I wouldn't still be doing this if it weren't for her.
Nickol T.

Nickol T.

Jul, 2024

Working with Mia was a great experience. As a new author, I needed guidance and advice with the project ( what worked best with certain genre , and how best to execute it). She was patient and worked wonders on my ideas with her illustrations. I would definitely recommend her as your illustrator...
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kalyn T.

kalyn T.

Jul, 2024

Mai did wonderfully in expressing my ideas onto the pages. Her artistic ability is impressive, and her communication is appreciated. I will be collaborating with her again.
Anisha D.

Anisha D.

Jun, 2024

Mai is an incredible illustrator! My story was complicated; yet Mai was able to capture its essence and bring my words to life. Words cannot express my gratitude for her patience, professionalism, and understanding. If she accepts your offer, you’re on to something special.

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