Commercial Proposals

New Project Proposals & Commissions

If you have a new assignment or collaboration to propose, please visit our CONTACT US page.

To help us evaluate your request efficiently, please write to our Shannon Associates Team via email info@shannonassociates.com (Phone: +1 212.333.2551) with everything we should know about the project, including:

• The Timeline & Schedule

• The Budget & Usage

• The Style & Aesthetic Direction

• The Number of Images & Subject Matter

• The Project's Objectives & Goals

Our team will review your proposal and provide you with all the necessary information quickly. Many thanks for your help!

Direct Contacts & Credits

Special Projects & Fine Press

For limited editions, private commissions, or special artistic collaborations, you can reach our studio directly.

Please visit our CONTACT US page and fill out our contact form. Your request will reach us immediately. We welcome proposals for:

• Gallery exhibitions, art shows, and museum invitations
• Stock Image Licensing (to use our existing images, please visit our STOCK LICENSING page)
• Interviews and press/blog features
• International competition jury invitations
• Talks, lectures, and panel proposals (please note: we do not conduct workshops)
• Non-profit initiatives and special events

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Panoramic banner view of the Balbusso Twins studio desk showcasing their international illustration trophies, including Society of Illustrators Gold Medals, Communication Arts awards, 3x3 Magazine, V&A Museum, ASFA, and Premio Andersen.

Awards & Honors

International Recognitions & Career Milestones

Over the years, our visual research and unique collaborative approach have been recognized by the international artistic community. We are honored to have received more than 120 international Awards & Honors, including the prestigious Hamilton King Award, 4 Gold Medals from the Society of Illustrators, and 32 Awards of Excellence from Communication Arts. This section collects the milestones and recognitions that mark our ongoing journey in contemporary illustration.

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All Balbusso Twins images and content are copyrighted. No Machine Learning, No AI. You may not use our images, our name (as authors), or any content of this website (including any caption information, keywords, or other metadata associated with the content) for any machine learning and/or artificial intelligence purposes.

The artworks featured on this website cannot be used for commercial purposes by any third parties without explicit written permission from the copyright holders, Anna and Elena Balbusso Twins. Any violation of this right constitutes an infringement of copyright law and is subject to legal prosecution.

The official Hamilton King Award trophy and certificate received by the Balbusso Twins from the Society of Illustrators in New York (2026).

A historic milestone for Italian art: Balbusso Twins win the Hamilton King Award.

In 2026, Anna and Elena Balbusso were honored with the prestigious Hamilton King Award, the highest honor presented by The Society of Illustrators, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the field of illustration.”

"We are deeply honored to announce an unprecedented milestone: we are the first Italian artists in history to receive this recognition, globally regarded as the "Oscar" of illustration.

Holding this trophy on May 14th at a special event during our solo exhibition Society of Illustrators in New York marks a monumental pinnacle, not only for our career but for the representation of Italian cultural and artistic excellence worldwide. This award also embodies our great love for New York—a city that welcomed and consecrated us, and where the Society of Illustrators has officially become our home away from home."

International Awards & Honors

Over 120 international awards and honors

A comprehensive chronicle of the international awards, medals, and accolades received by the Anna and Elena Balbusso Twins throughout their career.

2026

Hamilton King Award, Society of Illustrators NY – “Graciela in The Abyss”, Candlewick Press (Children's Book).
Lifetime Achievement Award, 26th Annual Association of Image Authors, Italy.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 67 (USA) – Illustration series "Graciela in The Abyss".
“Illustrators 68” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2025

Undies Case Cover Awards, School Library Journal (SLJ) – Category: Best Chapter Book Middle Grade YA, "Graciela in The Abyss" covers.
American Illustration 44 Chosen Winner, Annual Web Archive (AI-AP), USA – Illustration series "Epson Calendar Spectacular".
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 66 (USA) – Illustration series "Epson Calendar Spectacular".
Bronze Award & Honorable Mention, SILA Illustration West 63, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles (USA).
“Illustrators 67” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2024

PLATINUM Award, Graphis Design 2025 – Illustration series "Epson Calendar Spectacular".
GOLD Award, Graphis Design 2025 – Cover illustration series "Margaret Atwood's Masterpieces" for Corriere della Sera.
3x3 Merit Award & Honorable Mention, International Illustration Show Annual No.21 (USA).
World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK) – "Atwood's Masterpiece Artworks" for Corriere della Sera.
American Illustration 43 Selected Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
GOLD Medal, Institutional Category “Illustrators 66”, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA). [1]

2023

Platinum Graphis Design Award, Graphis Inc. (2024 Edition) – "The Great Gatsby" Illustration Series.
Best of Show, 3x3 Annual Illustration Show 20 (USA) – 20 Margaret Atwood covers for Corriere della Sera.
Accepted into Original Art 43rd Exhibit, Society of Illustrators NYC – "Sisters in Science" (Picture Book).
3x3 Annual Illustration Show 20 Merit Award & Honorable Mention (USA) – 1843 The Economist magazine.
WIA World Illustration Awards Longlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK) – "The Great Gatsby" Illustration Series.
American Illustration 42 SELECTED Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 64 (USA).
“Illustrators 65” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2022

Graphis Silver Award & Honorable Mention, International Designers for Peace competition.
Merit Award, 3x3 International Show No.19 (USA).
WIA World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK).
Selected for "The Braw Amazing Bookshelf", Bologna Children’s Book Fair 59th Edition – "Me+Tree" (Top 100 Amazing Books).
American Illustration 41 SELECTED Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 63 (USA).
“Illustrators 64” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2021

GOLD Award & MERIT Winner, 3x3 Pro Show Illustration Annual No.18 (USA).
Original Art Exhibit Selection, Society of Illustrators NYC (USA).
SPD 56 Design Competition Merit Award Winner, Society of Publication Designers – UCSF Magazine "Combating Coronavirus" (Pentagram Cover).
American Illustration 40 SELECTED Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 62 (USA).
“Illustrators 63” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2020

American Illustration 39 SELECTED Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
OZZIE AWARD for Best Illustration, @foliomag – Julia Robinson Portrait (USA).
Spectrum 27 Award Nomination, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art (USA).
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 61 (USA).
SILVER Medal, Advertising Category “Illustrators 62”, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
“Illustrators 62” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2019

WIA World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK).
American Illustration 38 SELECTED Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 60 (USA).
“Illustrators 61” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
The Joseph Morgan Henninger Gold Award (Best of Show), SILA Illustration West 57, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles (USA).

2018

GOLD GoSee Award, Illustration Portfolio (Germany).
Merit Winner, 3x3 Magazine Show Illustration Annual No.15, New York (USA).
The HOW International Design Awards Winner, Outstanding Achievement in the Poster Category – "NatureBridge".
WIA World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators, London (UK).
Spectrum 25 Winner, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Annual Book (USA).
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 59 (USA).
“Illustrators 60” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2017

The Original Art Selection, Society of Illustrators New York – "Make the Earth our Companion" (USA).
Merit Award, 3x3 Magazine Picture Book Show No.14 (USA).
Premio Treccani Web, L’eccellenza del Web Italiano (Italy).
WIA World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators, London (UK).
V&A Illustration Award Shortlisted, Victoria and Albert Museum, London (UK).
American Illustration 36 Chosen, Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 58 (USA).
Spectrum 24 Winner, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Annual Book (USA).
“Illustrators 59” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
Gold Award for Best Illustration, District VII, CASE (The Council for Advancement and Support of Education), USA.
Silver Award, SILA Illustration West 55, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles (USA).

2016

UCDA Design Competition Illustration Award of Excellence, The University & College Designers Association (Art Dr. Jerome).
Stevan Dohanos Award (Best of Show), Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
WIA World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, Annual Tour and Book, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK).
Merit Award, 3x3 Illustration Annual ProShow 13, New York (USA).
American Illustration 35 Selected Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Spectrum 23 Winner, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Annual Book (USA).
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 57 (USA).
“Illustrators 58” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2015

Chesley Award for Best Interior Illustration, 30th Chesley Awards – ASFA (The Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists), USA.
WIA World Illustration Awards Shortlisted, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK).
Merit & Honorable Mention, 3x3 Illustration Annual ProShow 12, New York (USA).
Premio Andersen, Best Illustrators of the Year (34th Edition), Genoa (Italy).
American Illustration 34 Chosen, Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Spectrum 22 Winner, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Annual Book (USA).
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 56 (USA).
The Joseph Morgan Henninger Gold Award (Best of Show), SILA Illustration West 53, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles
“Illustrators 57” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2014

Silver Award & Distinguished Merit, 3x3 Illustration Annual ProShow 11, New York (USA).
American Illustration 33 Selected Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 55 (USA).
Spectrum 21 Winner, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Annual Book (USA).
“Illustrators 56” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2013

Spectrum 20 Winner, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Annual Book (USA).
Merit Award, 3x3 Illustration Annual ProShow 10, New York (USA).
“V&A Book Illustration Award”, Victoria and Albert Museum, London (UK).
GOLD Medal, Book Category “Illustrators 55”, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
American Illustration 32 Chosen, Online Gallery Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 54 (USA).

2012

GOLD Medal, Book Category “Illustrators 54”, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
Merit Award, 3x3 Illustration Annual Children’s Show 9, New York (USA).
Silver Medal, 3x3 Illustration Annual ProShow 9, New York (USA).
American Illustration 31 Selected Winner, Book and Online Gallery Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 53 (USA).
Award of Excellence, Applied Arts Magazine, Toronto (Canada).
CQ26 Winner, Creative Quarterly: The Journal of Art & Design (USA).

2011

Merit Award, 3x3 Illustration Annual ProShow 8, New York (USA).
American Illustration 30 Selected Winner, Annual Book and Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 52 (USA).
Selected for "200 Best Illustrators Worldwide", Lürzer's Archive.
GOLD Medal, Book Category “Illustrators 53”, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2010

“Illustrators 52” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 51 (USA).
Award of Excellence, Applied Arts Magazine, Toronto (Canada).
American Illustration 29 Chosen, Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.
Silver Medal, 3x3 Illustration Annual Children’s Show 7, New York (USA).
Merit Award, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration ProShow 7 (USA).

2009

American Illustration 28 Chosen, Permanent Web Archive Gallery (AI-AP), USA.
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 50, Menlo Park (USA).
Official Selection, 1st CJ Picture Book Festival, Seoul (South Korea).
“Illustrators 51” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).

2008

Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 49 (USA).
American Illustration 27 Chosen, Web Archive (AI-AP), USA.

2007

Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 48 (USA).

2005

Award for Excellence, Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Children's Book Fair (Italy).

2001

Official Selection, BIB – Bratislava Illustrations Biennial (Slovak Republic).

2000

First Prize, National Illustration Competition "Interpretazione di una Regione", Lombardy Region & Association of Image Authors (AI), Italy.

1999

Official Selection, BIB – Bratislava Illustrations Biennial (Slovak Republic).

1998

Certificate of Design Excellence, Print European Regional Design Annual (USA).
Third Prize, National Illustration Competition "Sulle ali delle farfalle", Bordano (UD), Italy.

1997