Janna Morton is an award-winning illustrator known for her vibrant and captivating artwork that explores themes of nature, inclusivity, overlooked beauty, grief, and joy. Growing up as a fat, mixed-race child of older parents in the highly segregated city of Baltimore, Janna's unique background has shaped her artistic voice. Nine years of Catholic primary school followed by eight years of art school further fueled her fascination with duality and living in the enchanting spaces between worlds. Janna received her BFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
Janna has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including Target, Disney, The New York Times, Oath (AOL), Plansponsor, Lenny Letter, Broadly, Bookforum, Curbed, Apartment Therapy, and Longreads. In 2022, she celebrated the release of her first illustrated picture book, Little People, BIG DREAMS: Mae Jemison, published by Quarto Kids.
Her artistic contributions have been honored by American Illustration and CMYK Magazine’s Top New Creatives. Janna's artwork has been showcased in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery, Light Grey Art Lab, and Spur Gallery. Notably, her creations have been featured in Print Mag, Brown Paper Bag, The Fox is Black, and Buzzfeed. In pursuit of creative growth and inspiration, Janna has taken part in artist residencies at the Illustration Institute in Maine (2021) and Trailer Blaze in Washington (2022).
Beyond her love for illustration, Janna is very passionate about picnics, vintage-inspired fashion, and Halloween! Janna lives in Baltimore with her boyfriend, Christopher.
Janna is represented by Alyssa Jennette of Stonesong literary agency. Please contact Alyssa at alyssajennette@stonesong.com for all literary inquiries. For any other inquiries please email Janna directly at jannamorton@gmail.com. She would be delighted to hear from you!