J'Aaron Merchant

If you haven't already, vote for my label design for Black Girl Vitamins! Link in the comments! ☺️
tr.ee/WeCxe1O_Ao

Vote here! I had the honor of being selected for the @blackgirlvitamins Black History Month collaboration, creating the artwork for their MenoChill vitamin label.

You can vote for my design at the Black Girl Vitamins link below!

blackgirlvitamins.co/apps/alchemy...

#BlackHistoryMonth

It’s #PortfolioDay ✨
Hi, I’m J’Aaron! Creative director, illustrator, & character designer. I create character-driven stories & worlds that celebrate culture, imagination, & joy!

jaaronmerchant.com
jaaronm.art@gmail.com

#portfolio #illustrator #kidlitart #characterdesign #visdev #animation

End of the year, tying up loose ends and adding finishing touches! ✨ What project(s) are you proud of this year?
www.jaaronmerchant.com

The holidays really said surprise!😅
Tree’s finally up with my favorite people, nothing fancy, just love & a little chaos 😂
What’s your favorite family holiday tradition?

It's the holidays in a Caribbean household so you know what that means? Ginger beer, sorrel and coquito!

Do you have a favorite holiday beverage? What is it?

Creative entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but it’s worth every second. ✨

It’s sketches, storyboards, packaging, late nights, and that moment when you finally see your idea in the world. Chefs kiss!

Oh and I'll always rep the Virgin Islands in everything I do!😂

Cheers to building joy on purpose.✨

Animating holiday magic one frame at a time! ✨

#christmas #illustration #womeninanimation #blackpaperparty

Holiday rule: If the wrapping paper isn’t giving “I travel, I brunch, I spoil my nieces & nephews”… try again!

Designed these aunties myself, and they’re bringing ALL the holiday glam this season.☺️✨

Grab yours at www.blackpaperparty.com

#happyholidays #christmas #blackpaperparty

If you’re setting the vibe for the holidays, we got you! The Black Paper Party Holiday Playlist will have you feeling merry, magical, and hella festive. 🎶🎁✨

You can find it on Spotify just search Black Paper Party. Hit play & enjoy!

open.spotify.com/playlist/5Fe...

Tis the Season! Who doesn't live a good snow day!
Grab your holiday goodies this year at www.blackpaperparty.com
Illustrations by me!
#christmas #holidays #illustration #blackpaperparty

Meet the Kings & Queens wrap 👑 serving regal energy all holiday season long!

Love seeing our culture wrapped up beautifully and boldly.
Who else is ready to gift like royalty?

www.blackpaperparty.com

#holidays #christmas
#BlackPaperParty

Same guy different drip. Wardrobe tests for my little guy. Clothing choices tell just as much story as expressions.

#kidlitart #characterdesign #illustration #womeninanimation

Women in STEAM. 😉

#characterdesign #illustration #steam #stem #kidlitart

The Three Tomes | Ending Credits " Glossary"

For the shoujo girlies out there did you catch the homage? The ending credits was inspired by the ending credits to Classic Isekei Shoujo anime " Fushigi Yuugi"

#indieanimation #thethreetomes #magicalgirls

When in doubt, sketch it out! 😉 I’m learning that the quickest way out of overthinking… is a pencil.
What are you creating this week?

#characterdesign #illustration #womeninanimation

I love moments like this, getting to talk through my process, break down the ‘why’ behind my illustrations, and show how stories come alive long before they ever hit the page.
Visual storytelling is such a wild, beautiful journey…and I’m grateful I get to share mine.

#illustration #womeninanimation

If I could talk to my younger creative self, I’d say:

Time will pass anyway, so create something.
Don’t shrink, your light deserves to be seen.
And your gifts? They’ll make room for you… once you execute.

For every creative who needs this reminder today ✨

When Titi laid you down for your nap but you've got other plans!

#kidlitart #illustration #characterdesign #childrensbooks #womeninanimation

When we were little, I’d beat all the hard levels on Super Mario and my baby sister was in charge of snacks and hype, until she figured out I was hustling her and then she demanded to play too! 😅

#characterdesign #illustration #kidlitart #womeninanimation #nostalgia #gamer

It’s officially that time of year! The tape’s stuck to my fingers, there’s glitter everywhere, and I’m living my best Santa’s helper life 🎅🏾✨
@BlackPaperParty season is in full swing! Check out our holiday offerings at www BlackPaperParty. com

#christmas #illustration #characterdesign #BlackJoy #fyp

What's your go to karaoke song? That sure fire hit to deliver a mic drop moment EVERY single time?! Turn the sound on to hear mine! ☺️

#kidlitart #womeninanimation #illustration #characterdesign

Cheers to a fresh month and even fresher ideas!

I’m calling in peace, creativity, and little wins that feel like big ones.

What are you creating right now? Up to any shenanigans? Let’s hype each other up in the comments!

#characterdesign #illustration #kidlitart #womeninanimation

Sometimes you just need to take a break and blow some bubbles with the kiddos.

Y’all… seeing #BlackPaperParty featured on Essence.com just hits different! We started this brand to be more inclusive and spread holiday magic, to see it celebrated on a platform like Essence? Full circle moment.

#BlackPaperParty #Essence #illustration #BlackJoy #characterdesign

7 Must-Have Picks From Black Paper Party's Latest Holiday Collection Spreading Black Joy | Essence This Black woman-founded brand is bringing luxe wrapping paper, gift bags, melanated stockings and more to your gatherings this year.

Holiday season is here and we've been featured in Essence!

Shop Black Paper Party this holiday season!

www.blackpaperparty.com
www.essence.com/commerce/bla...

If you’re creative, you need to journal. Not because it’s trendy, but because your ideas deserve space to breathe. This is where the magic starts!

Are you journaling? Why or why not?

#womeninanimation #characterdesign #kidlitart #illustration #journal

Sketching an idea that popped into my head for a story. We'll see where it goes.

#sketch #illustration #kidlitart #characterdesign #womeninanimation

Hi! I’m J’Aaron, a Caribbean American illustrator & designer with a passion for stories with joy, imagination, & belonging.

If you’re an agent who believes in diverse & heart-led storytelling, let’s connect!

www.jaaronmerchant.com

#KidLitArt #kidlitpostcard #illustration #childrensbooks #fyp

Caught in the moment @Crystal Bridges sketching a self-portrait, because who else is gonna model for free?! 😂

#Illustrator #sketch #womeninanimation #KidLitArt #fyp