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US Illustrations is a professional children's book illustration studio founded by artist and art director Karine Makartichan. Since 2016, our team has helped authors, self-publishers, and publishing houses bring their stories to life — one illustration at a time.
We are not a factory. We are a small, intentional team of women artists who believe that every children's book deserves the same care and attention as a gallery painting.
Long before US Illustrations existed, Karine Makartichan was weaving gobelins — large, intricate tapestry artworks that can take months to complete. Thread by thread, color by color, each piece demanded the kind of patience that most people reserve for their entire career.
In 2016, Karine founded what would become US Illustrations — initially working solo, taking on children’s book projects that allowed her to combine her classical fine art training with a love for storytelling. The transition from physical tapestry to digital and traditional illustration was natural: the patience was already there. The eye for color and composition was already there. What changed was the canvas.
As demand grew and projects became more ambitious, Karine brought on her first team members in 2020. But this was never about scaling for the sake of revenue. Every artist who joins US Illustrations is personally selected by Karine — not just for technical skill, but for how they approach the work itself.
The result? A tight-knit, all-women team of illustrators who genuinely care about the books they help create. There are no rigid hierarchies here. Karine treats every team member as a co-creator, not an employee. Ideas are shared openly. Feedback flows in every direction. And the focus is always on the final creation — not the clock.
From character design to full interior spreads, we create custom illustrations for picture books, chapter books, and educational publications. Every project starts with understanding your story.
Learn more about our services →Your cover is your book’s first impression. Our team designs custom book covers that capture your story’s essence and stand out on shelves — both physical and digital.
See our book cover design process →Static illustrations are just the beginning. We also offer custom animation services — from book trailers to animated character sequences — to help your stories move.
Explore our animation services →
The most rewarding part of what we do is not the illustration itself — it is seeing a finished book in the hands of a child who cannot put it down.
Over the years, US Illustrations has contributed artwork to dozens of published children’s books — from self-published debut authors to established publishing houses. Our illustrations have been held at book signings, displayed at literary events, and most importantly, read at bedtime by thousands of families.
Our illustration style draws from Karine’s classical fine art training — rich color palettes, expressive characters, and compositions that guide the reader’s eye through every page. Whether watercolor, digital, or mixed media, every piece carries the unmistakable warmth that has become the studio’s signature.
Browse our project portfolio →
Karine Makartichan is the founder and art director of US Illustrations. A classically trained artist with roots in tapestry weaving and fine art, she has spent over a decade transforming her love of visual storytelling into a studio that serves authors worldwide.
Karine personally oversees every project that comes through the studio. She leads the creative direction, selects and mentors team members, and ensures that every illustration meets the standard she set when she took on her very first children’s book commission in 2016.
When she is not directing illustration projects, Karine draws inspiration from world travel, traditional textile art, and the belief that creativity thrives best in an environment built on trust and mutual respect.
Whether you have a finished manuscript or just an idea, our team is here to help you create illustrations that your readers will remember. Every project starts with a free consultation.
Request Consultation with Karine