The Swimming Owl | Whimsical Art + Illustration

Hey there, I’m Melanie.

The whimsical illustrator behind The Swimming Owl 🦉

My favorite motifs are usually inspired by the natural world and my own childhood memories with a hint of whimsy and magic... AND heaps of color!

I love to illustrate artwork for picture books and coloring books and I also love to put my illustrations on fun products for my shop.

Want to chat more? Write me a letter anytime! 💜

Recent Illustrations

willow_Mermaid.jpg
Evie_On_Ice_Redraw_2022.jpg
Little_Green_Witch.jpg
Box_Of_Baubles_.jpg
Dancing Duo.jpg
Arabella_Year_3_-_Washington_Trip.jpg
A_Wee_Night_Hike.jpg
Afternoon reading ladybug .jpg
Toadstool_.jpg
Magical Hike - Melanie Bess.jpg

Swim along on Instagram

Cheers to another year of art making 💜 Swipe to see the last couple of years as well 2024>2023>2022 (this year looks the least cohesive to me…. 😅) For 2025 I’m looking forward to focusing on these areas: 💜 Making more colori