Leo Espinosa

Dream For The Land cover reveal as well as some great news in the shape of a starred review from Kirkus.⭐️! Book’s out on 5/27/25 and yes! it’s ready for preorder.

This means a great deal to me. After many years of illustrating books by some wonderful writers, the time has come to write my own silly stories. I hope you kids like this one. I’m immensely thankful to my friend Lee Wade at @randomhousestudio for suggesting I put the color pencils aside for a bit and give my old typewriter a go. It was odd at first, but then it was just like drawing with words.

Fresh stuff is brewing!

Up on my studio wall for the past three years. Peace and power to the brave people of Ukraine.

Here’s one of my favorite details from The Creature of Habit Tries his best, not only because it involves a bicycle, but because it symbolizes a pivotal moment when one is learning something new, something that seems easy but it’s actually difficult. Should I quit or should I keep trying? That’s a gigantic question for children, but we adults struggle with that too. The Creature of Habit tries his Best. Written by the brilliant @jenniferesmith and illustrated by yours truly. Available were awesome books are sold.

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I just received my advanced copy of Dream For The Land and I’m at a loss for words. This might be the hardest book I’ve done. I broke down many times during its process, but holding it in my hands confirms that the effort was worth it. I can’t wait for you all to see it and read it. Dream For The Land will be out on May 27th.

When they go vertical, I go horizontal. I’m not leaving this place (yet) because I still have a platform and I can use it to speak up about the people I care about and highlight the books I make for them. It’s Black History Month and so far, this has been my contribution. You can find these titles at your local library and independent bookstores in English and Spanish.

A week into reducing my time on social media, I’m staring to feel a pull to do more work with real materials. Nothing big. Simple stuff. Bonus points if it’s meaningful but it doesn’t have to be. Five years ago I fixed up this bathroom in our 1950’s house with just paint and small upgrades. It’s a tribute to Alexander Girard mixed with my own take of some of his artwork. Yesterday I painted this bird based on his logo design for Braniff. I always thought it would look cool reflected in the mirror. I think it does.

My analog internet, soul of the studio, the mothership, center of a whole creative galaxy. I hope I never lose you! Okay, back to work.

Last drawing of the year. I’ve been working on something big and challenging and haven’t had time (or energy, honestly) to do the sideline doodles I normally post. There were plenty of hard moments and scraped knees this year, but I’m tightening the bolts and greasing the old bearings of my board to push though another loop all over again.

Bald eagles everywhere / Sitka, Alaska / Sketchbook Summer ‘24