Illustration showing two stylized figures playing instruments, including a guitar and accordion, in a hand-drawn, textured art style used as a process or portfolio image for Andy Passchier’s work.

Creating stories and images that celebrate humans in all their diversity

I write and illustrate children’s books that focus on inclusivity, foster a sense of community, and cherish the small joys in life.

Portrait of Andy Passchier sitting on a wooden bench facing the sea.
Portrait of Andy Passchier outdoors, smiling at the camera in a casual yellow-and-black top, standing in front of greenery and a tree.

How I got here

Over time, my relationship with creativity shifted from being caught up in the idea of hustle culture and always aiming for more output and productivity, to focusing on slowing down, creating pieces more intentionally, and reconnecting with the joy of making art. I began my career in the hectic world of corporate surface design, creating seasonal wrapping paper and fabric for large companies. While I still enjoy creating these patterns for fun on the side, over time I found myself increasingly drawn to children’s books and other more narrative, illustrative work focused on people, the connections between them, and elements of political activism.

Diversity

❋

Community

❋

Inclusivity

❋

Kindness

❋

Diversity ❋ Community ❋ Inclusivity ❋ Kindness ❋

Video showing Andy Passchier’s coloring and illustration process of a tabletop role-playing game scene with a group of friends sitting together and playing, including a brief clip of a cat. The video includes on-screen text reading: “No AI, no sales pitches, no advertisements, just rediscovering the joy of making art, one drawing at a time,” presented across multiple cuts.

My identity as a nonbinary person has put me in a unique position to be able to write and illustrate educational books centering LGBTQIA+ rights and providing information to kids and adults about gender identity in a simple, approachable, and age appropriate manner. I’ve been lucky enough to illustrate several books focused on activism and identity, such as Being You and Together by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, and What Are Your Words by Katherine Locke. Since then, I have also authored and illustrated multiple titles introducing concepts of gender identity, gender diversity, and bodily autonomy to kids. The first, Gender Identity for Kids, was later nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in 2023.

Photograph of Andy Passchier sitting with a drag performer in a casual indoor setting, both smiling and engaging in conversation, with a warm, candid documentary-style feel.

Work rooted in care & compassion

I love creating scenes that celebrate diversity and foster a neighborly sense of a close, cozy community, where everyone is accepted and appreciated for their unique qualities. My illustrations point out the humor and joy that can be found in simple, everyday moments, while emphasizing the importance of approaching the world with curiosity and understanding rather than judgement.

My favorite things to draw are people, markets, shops, seafood, coastal scenes and unique architectural elements, inspired by my background growing up in seaside cities of The Netherlands and subsequently moving to many different countries across the world such as Mexico, Sweden, Italy, Eswatini, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the United States. I also enjoy including elements of traditional crafts into my work, having grown up in a family of avid quilters and later developing an interest in letterpress printing and book binding.

Over time, my process has moved away from digital approaches to include more hand drawn and traditional elements, aligning with the idea that quirkiness and imperfections are what makes life interesting. When people engage with my work, I hope they love the small details that add subtle elements of storytelling and give each character their own, unique personality.

My illustrations act as an invitation into a world that celebrates diversity, champions inclusivity, and emphasizes compassion and kindness. A world where people are allowed to slow down and appreciate the small things, where everyone is treated fairly, represented authentically, and feels cared about in their community.

From the studio

  • Illustrated bearded man riding a red bicycle while carrying books and art supplies.
  • Hand coloring an intricate black-and-white illustration of a girl beside a decorated cart.
  • Illustration of a girl in an orange sweater reading at a desk covered with books, papers, and folded blue book..
  • Photograph of vintage wooden letterpress type arranged in a printer’s drawer inside an art studio.
  • Illustration of a smiling child riding in a wooden cart, with windswept hair and raised arms drawn in colored pencil.
  • Process photo of a hand sketching a character in front of an ornate street organ with a green colored pencil.
  • Illustration of children reading and playing around a table covered with books, papers, and popcorn beneath colorful drawings and string lights.
  • Studio photograph of colored pencils sorted by color in cups and glass jars on a wooden table.
  • Process photo of a hand holding three colored pencils above a character illustration in progress on a drawing desk.

Recognitions & Press

Section is in progress. Check back soon for updates!

Learn more

Get In Touch

Think I’d be a good fit for a project?

Let’s Connect
Colored pencil illustration of brightly colored fish with simple patterned details drawn on white paper.

Want to read more?

Follow my art journey and see more process & inspiration

Join the Newsletter