Sam Weerawardane

I wanted to spotlight a different ongoing project today: JUNGLE OF THE JUNGLE, or at least, just the cover 😄 it’s a picture book about a free roaming dog that leads the reader to understand how humans, animals and the environment are all connected, and that in order to uplift one we must uplift everyone. The story has changed a few times since I started on it in 2023 but the cover has so far remained the same – and I hope to keep it that way! Swipe to read about how the art was made. #5dayvisibilitychallenge

Hello! I’m Sam, the artist behind 3mongrels. Normally I like being a bit mysterious (because I’m actually quite awkward) but today I thought I’d share a bit about my illustration journey with you. 🐾 It’s been a confusing time figuring out what I want to do in life. I knew it was something within the realm of communication, so I bounced around from wanting to study fine art to actually studying graphic design, working as a copywriter, hosting a nighttime radio show (for 13 years!), playing guitar in a band, lecturing, running a tiny creative department, becoming a creative consultant and finally deciding to go ‘back to school’ to study Illustration. I’ve finally combined my visual communication, freelance and creative writing skills to become an illustrator of picture books and comics. Starting a new career path at 37 was very daunting – you kind of expect success instantly, but it really doesn’t work that way. It’s a road of risks and rejection, disheartening moments followed by periods of blind optimism. You constantly worry about not being where you thought you might be by now, but that’s when you need to count the milestones you’ve already made. My most gratifying moments so far have been: 📖 Seeing my first illustrated book (written by @Onlinedesho ) in print 🏆 Making the @worldillustrationawards 2024 longlist (professional category – even though I still don’t feel like a professional at all!) 🎓 Studying and earning a distinction in the MA Illustration @falmouth.illustration.online 🌴 Discovering how awesome nature is as a subject of art 🐜 Having a second illustrated book (written by @Shehankarubooks ) published, this time by @papayabooksforkids 🐕 Raising thousands of LKR for animal welfare in SL through a personal initiative (pet paw-traits) 📨 Getting my first ‘maybe’ from an agent rather than an outright no or being ghosted! 👻 🖌️ Embracing the craft of reworking a project into something so much better than it was before As you can see, it might not be what I planned, but it’s pretty damn good nonetheless. Thanks for reading this far! Please enjoy this photo of me pretending to draw while Milo looks for an insect to eat.

Exciting news! Our latest @papayabooksforkids title, The Ant Who Walked to The Edge of The World, is coming soon! 🐜🐜🐜 🖌️ Illustrated by @3mongrels ✍🏽 Written by @shehankarubooks Papaya books for Kids features stories about angry trees, friendly insects, strange creatures and big ideas. Explore our collection for kids and toddlers at . #ShehanKarunatilaka #PapayaBooks

Another page from my rework of ‘Jungle of the Jungle’, showing a simple scene at a shelter. There’s always a lot going on!

‘Jungle of the Jungle’ is a project close to my heart but one that never seemed to get off the ground out of the cosy confines of my FMP. Apart from the cover, which did well, the story itself has faced a ton of rejections and valid criticism, and I’ve reworked it so much that at times I forget what it was really about – a story about adoption. Maybe it’s destined to be part of team crud 😆 anyway, it’s been reworked again, and nearly ready for another tentative submission in a couple of days. Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

Scrolled through a lot of Sir David Attenborough 100th birthday stuff over the weekend and thought it’s interesting to see someone so revered, while the causes he earnestly advocates for are summarily dismissed by so many (I’m talking about climate change deniers and institutions that value the 💰💰💰 above all else). I suppose that’s how the machine keeps going. Anyway, cheers to this man who has touched the lives of so many. 🌏💚

Milo showing the rescue pups how to avoid walking headfirst into a puddle

One of my fav months on the @tailsoffreedomsl calendar. What a privilege it was to paint this floof!

My niece and nephew turn into minpins on a trip to a redwood forest 🌳 📸 by their mama @etisfedup

Face fight!

Bazaar encounters 🐄🏵️🧡🇮🇳 Thanks for letting me draw this brilliant photo of your family @louisejenkins_illustration ! Come to Sri Lanka next time 😄

Sometimes you just have to put on a true crime podcast and paint mindlessly on the side of the book that makes you feel uncomfortable.