Aurora Whittet Best – Writer and Illustrator

Skip to content

Home
Books
About
Illustration Portfolio
Etsy Shop
Events + Press
Contact

Aurora Whittet Best

writer | illustrator

Young Adult Fantasy Adventures

Bloodmark, the second book in the Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet.

Bloodmark, the first book in the Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet.

Bloodmoon, the third and final book in the Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet.

Children’s Picture Books

How to Turn Your Mom into a Monster By Aurora Whittet Best. 2018 Gold Medal IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award. 2018 Bronze Moonbeam Children's Book Award. 2018 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Finalist.

Mama's Knight: A Cancer Story of Love by Aurora Whittet

Join my newsletter to stay up-to-date on all my shenanigans.

Leave this field empty if you're human:

A Dash of My Weird World

Follow Me on Instagram

aurorawhittet

When I complete an art piece for a client I have t

When I complete an art piece for a client I have to ship it away, there is always a piece of me that is mournful because I spend so much time and love creating it just how my client dreams. So I started taking photos with my art so I can always remember and cherish them. It is such an honor to create someone's vision. When I was trying to get a nice photo of me with my latest painting of Clemence for the absolutely fabulous author Samantha Sloan, I got this one and there is something charming and hilarious about my facial expression. Obviously when I paint I'm not wearing my prettiest dresses but it's so fun to dress up. Thank you all for joining me in my artist corner. ❤️

I can't get over how much fun it was to design log

I can't get over how much fun it was to design logos and stickers and postcards and ohhh that map! Not to mention character art illustrations for @evadeslaurbooks Eva is absolutely amazing and you need her books! She will make you feel all your feels! She has two books out and another in the works! ❤️ 👟 📸

Also this song is by a dear friend of mine @leslierichmusic and dang his music reaches right into my soul!

Meet Clemence, she is startling and beautiful and

Meet Clemence, she is startling and beautiful and bold. I adore her so much. She couldn't be more perfect and I can't wait for her to be in Sam's arms. Clemence is her character from her novel. From a story that will tantalize you to your core.

I love every step of bringing art to life, from the initial sketch to the second and third layers, blending and texture, to the final fabulous portrait. It is always shocking and inspiring. Everytime.

Oil paint is a brilliant process of layers and I really delight in how tiny shape changes change an entire portrait. Finding the exact shape of the eye or the shadow under a chin. It changes everything.

And I get to paint using my grandma's easel. She was a farm wife and self taught painter, who shared her passion with her daughter, my mom. And then my mom let me use all her special tools to paint and learn. And the tradition continues as I teach my boys.

It is such an honor to create and share art. Whether illustrations or designs and stories. They all bring me such joy. I am so thankful that @samanthahsloan invited me to partner with her bringing her character Clemence to life.

Clemence is in her drying process waiting to be shipped to Sam. And while I wait I get to smile at her everyday. Ever thankful for this amazing life.

My life in whimsy: a tiny hidden world behind a ti

My life in whimsy: a tiny hidden world behind a tiny picture frame, where you find love and rain. Mini books tucked safe under a tiny umbrella what a perfect way to show my love of IN TIME WITH YOU by @kristindwyer it is truly remarkable and if you haven't read it yet you are missing out.

One of my dear friends is on a summer adventure of

One of my dear friends is on a summer adventure of giving her inner, little girl-self the things she wants and she inspired me to buy this sparkle-rific floaty and I couldn't love it more! Don't ever let anyone dull your sparkle ✨

A sweet cardinal enjoying my sprinkler. I guess it

A sweet cardinal enjoying my sprinkler. I guess it is hot girl summer. I'm pretty sure she rules my house. She comes every day and sings at me until I turn it on again. ❤️

An absolutely fabulous summer camp comes to an end

An absolutely fabulous summer camp comes to an end at the Loft Literary Society. I had the honor to help kids discover the magic of outlines in many different structures. I'm so proud of these kids, their ideas and their boldness. So many ideas! 💡 These kids will absolutely be your next favorite author. Whether you are in middle school, high school, or an adult. The Loft has classes for you! Check out their class rosters for upcoming classes. 💋 @loftliterarycenter

These amazing writers dreamed up an amazing pirate

These amazing writers dreamed up an amazing pirate story with hidden umbrella swords and meteor hammers. I'm blown away by their excitement and creativity.

I absolutely can't stop staring at this mug, lovin

I absolutely can't stop staring at this mug, lovingly created by @lalepottery it is even more beautiful in real life. I am obsessed with honeybees, pottery, and handmade things. As an artist I am drawn to other artists and having this mug in my life makes me whimsically happy. Artists create hope.

Teaching at the fabulous Loft @loftliterarycenter

Teaching at the fabulous Loft @loftliterarycenter Minnesota's literary center. This week I get to hang out with teens talking about story! ❤️

I love a luscious marbled background with oil pain

I love a luscious marbled background with oil paint. It is anchoring and it makes the subject glow off the canvas so beautifully. Clemence is so hauntingly luminescent I just stop and stare at her. Still a few more small adjustments but @samanthahsloan she is almost ready to start drying! I can't wait for her to be in your loving arms.

My fellas got me this beautiful dress by @wildrose

My fellas got me this beautiful dress by @wildroseandsparrow and this hand blown glass pumpkin from @2bglass because this spooky girl is also a princess. Seriously the artistry blows my mind. I might have to display my pumpkin all year round.

It's my happy birthday cake fight tradition! Getti

It's my happy birthday cake fight tradition! Getting older only gets more sweet. 🎂 What's not to love about being attacked with edible warfare. Hahaha 😂 🥊 🎂 ❤️

I get to do the most lovely things with the absolu

I get to do the most lovely things with the absolute best humans. Thank you for trusting me with your book cover, bookmarks and stickers @emilybeanbooks It is all so beautiful ❤️ 📓 🐾

Layers and layers of lace bringing texture and lif

Layers and layers of lace bringing texture and life to Clemence for @samanthahsloan it all makes me so giddy!

Everyone needs a little bit of sparkle in their li

Everyone needs a little bit of sparkle in their life.

Lake shore hideaway. Sometimes we all just gotta e

Lake shore hideaway. Sometimes we all just gotta escape.

My world is full of whimsy and hope. Like annoying

My world is full of whimsy and hope. Like annoying levels of hope. Thanks for joining me on this weird thing we call life. ❤️

Happy summer solstice my lovelies enjoy walking on

Happy summer solstice my lovelies enjoy walking on sunshine on the longest day of the year. Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves has always been my inner theme song that plays in my head.

Second layers of oil paint are for refining and re

Second layers of oil paint are for refining and reshaping and oh my heart how Clemence nearly took a breath as I painted her today! Watch as I bring her eyes to life.

@samanthahsloan

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 Aurora Whittet Best

About
Contact
Privacy Policy