Maria Jonas
Illustration
Artist Statement
My work mainly focuses on whimsical, fantastical, and sometimes downright frightening creatures and aims to introduce those characters while saying something about who they are just from an image. I draw a great deal of inspiration from the types of illustrations and characters that I find in fantasy games. Looking at those types of sources for ideas and then building a completely new and unique character from that is incredibly rewarding to me.

Smoke Break, 2022, digital, 11"x14"

Forest Frog, 2022, digital, 8"x12"

Mouse Dream House, 2022, digital, 11"x14"

Bears on an Adventure, 2022, digital, 8"x6.5"

Bug Supermarket, 2022, digital, 11"x17"

How it Really Works, 2022, pen and ink/digital, 14"x16.5"

Frog Clown, 2022, digital, 11"x17"

Creatures in the Woods, 2022, digital, 11"x17"

New Yorker cover, 2021, acrylic paint, 6"x9"

The Shining cover, 2021, acrylic paint, 6"x9"

Unexpected Guest, 2022, digital, 11"x17"

Cheese King, 2022, digital, 5"x7"
Artist Bio
Maria Jonas is an illustrator from Bartlett, Illinois. In 2022, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in illustration. Maria mainly creates art digitally and enjoys creating fun, whimsical, and sometimes frightening characters. In her free time she enjoys watching obscure movies and expanding her creative skills through other mediums such as sewing, crochet, embroidery, and printmaking.