Jillian (Ailsa) Thalman
I'm a Toronto-based illustrator, inspired by book ornamentation, folk art and iconography. My work is a playful take on classic themes - in particular anything dealing with magic and nature. I love to integrate symbols, symmetry and texture. I work in watercolour, pencil crayon, paper collage and digitally in Procreate.
Experienced with children's books, editorial and brand work - projects that touch on myth, nature or magic are among my favourites.
If you’re interested in working with me, I would love to hear from you! You can reach me at jillianthalman@gmail.com - or connect with me through Facebook or Instagram.
Press
30 Canadian books for younger kids that we are excited about in fall 2026
(CBC)
Here are the 2025 Washington State Book Award finalists
(Seattle Times)
Children's author sets out to connect kids, families to ancestors and heritage through food
(Good Morning America)
Select Clients
![Even more scientific notes on creativity ⏳⚡️
Ask me about my BSc.
[Analog collage and ink. Digital edits.]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/741693679_18611198719001442_1793128216474986228_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=8aZovp_5ZOsQ7kNvwEAuVaA&_nc_oc=Ado2vVuz9YLVEANlN2FyqL797VxtnQbIkxSaMwZC2PeLGeT31ENtW8dpkZMKj7Gk5GM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ORL49oasdc80kAq5AM5UKw&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKmkXy_b4NGPe_NjasI_29AglkjB40AmR-3s0KD6sEoH8E8DeGSHP1vKwVek7TB1VBLHSo1BZI_&oh=00_AQGLSPSYmdbn9I3_vZGjosXYrS6tFJnZUpNeqifkRWdxEw&oe=6A8A7DE3)
![For all my card pulling friends out there 😘
[Digital illustration, Procreate]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/733194939_18609810601001442_4880249363830584769_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=0QbSAPSoFTkQ7kNvwH_yu6a&_nc_oc=AdoGgKlhS2O_gCHtdxkUDCvJhDAGGRiY__S371sRkv5AlnxCFwjW44-exIXaJlFmZco&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ORL49oasdc80kAq5AM5UKw&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQK0Ynkyp2BHX-Vtzl3DEgyhBLsJwchclow0ywi1boNt6afeSArYMxgm_0a974xHwPlkP5Jawi37&oh=00_AQER4ARfpKX6hWgdY5l7zI2OOwuNpEPv-MxLRBYr8Ys0Zw&oe=6A8A7D5B)
![More very scientific notes on creativity ✏️
[Analog collage, ink- digital edits ]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731357153_18608197822001442_4333563316714470079_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=A4Fh0aLfaCEQ7kNvwGOFXZh&_nc_oc=AdoQX9haZRxY2D_od9LLNUrVkMCnXmiMEIsEHrmJ5GuJyTOkdAHxflj3676musK7PKo&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ORL49oasdc80kAq5AM5UKw&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQK9eBEJzIKrXk05T9RlJuVbhSdqdCg1M-aFshkdZi7ig79uHvVFMef7GB9ed2zc2kFZwEOD2e1y&oh=00_AQHCTR_w12iVxSdm-ur3d2-kyh5TqbPSVGk6WIiBLY9dJw&oe=6A8A85C4)
![Image inspired by the tale of the Nimble Men and Merry Dancers (Wonder Tales, Scottish Myth and Legend - Donald Alexander Mackenzie).
[Ink on watercolour paper and digital edits]
#celticfolklore #scottishfolklore #wondertales #nimblemen #fairytaleillustration](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/730608431_18606671491001442_1689823955405564449_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=U7ZnRI5TjfMQ7kNvwFXBkN7&_nc_oc=AdrVkju8NX-YDp_PihY16UUwCLiJE2zv5PMkiDH7EcLr6ylQ5bQk-L1-BSj3IEWXynY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ORL49oasdc80kAq5AM5UKw&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIQxa3o5oVGZD5vKQke7o87HmERXhfOshFw15-3vndhBxYN21gPkY7hEkroqHHTx2J4QzHt7ife&oh=00_AQF9RboYKG6n1Wda_PSe77862_8_A1VE_zyymETwa_DUUQ&oe=6A8A7F99)