Reinis Pētersons is a Latvian multimedia artist and illustrator, exhibiting since 2000. After training in classical oil painting and drawing at art school, followed by Visual Communication at the Latvian Academy of Arts, he took part in various group shows until 2008, when he turned to illustration. Since then, he has illustrated over 45 books and numerous board games, some of which have gained international recognition and awards. He has been in the running multiple times for the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, two of the highest honors in illustration. Since 2010, he has been a stage designer at the Latvian Puppet Theater, creating characters and sets for various productions. He has also worked as an artist on several animation films, and in 2011, AtomArt animation film studio produced his charcoal-drawn auteur short film Ursus, which was screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide. He enjoys exploring different visual styles and continuously expanding his skills, blending traditional and modern.
"Ursus" Awards & Nominations:
Jury Award for Best Animated Short at Durango Film: An Independent Film Festival, 2013, USA
Jury’s Special Mention at the 9th International Animated Film Festival Animateka, Slovenia
Jury’s Special Mention I at the Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams, Estonia
Ozu Animation Maneki Neko Award for Best Film at the 20th Ozu Film Festival, Italy
The Best Short Film Award at the Fredrikstad Animation Festival, Norway
The Best Animation Award at the 14th Patras International Panorama Film Festival, Patra, Greece
Special International Jury Prize at the 14th International Animation Festival in Hiroshima, Japan
Audience Award at the Melbourne International Animation Festival, Australia
The Best First Film Zlatko Grgić Award at Animafest Zagreb, Croatia
FIPRESCI International Film Critics Award at the National Film Festival “Lielais Kristaps”, Latvia
The Best Debut Film of the Year at the National Film Festival “Lielais Kristaps”, Latvia
Professional Achievements for Book illustration:
International J.Baltvilks Award. Grand Prix for illustrations for children's books, Latvia 2021.
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nomination for illustrations for children's books. Sweden. 2017.
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nomination for illustrations for children's books. Sweden. 2015.
IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award nomination for illustrations in books. Switzerland 2015.
International J.Baltvilks Award Nomination for the book "Little Mula Investigates", Latvia 2015.
International J.Baltvilks Award Nomination for the book "Bear Bruno's Hunts", Latvia 2014.
IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award nomination for illustrations for books. Switzerland 2013.
Golden Apple 2012. Best illustrations for children's poetry book. Latvia 2013.
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nomination for illustrations for children's books. Sweden. 2012.
Jānis Baltvilks Award. Best illustrations for a Children's Poetry book category. Latvia 2012.
Golden Apple 2011. Special Prize for Artist of the Year. Latvia. 2012.
Diena's Culture Award 2011. Nomination for animation "How Lupatiņi Washed". Latvia 2012.
Jānis Baltvilks Award. Nomination for illustrated book "Mufa", Latvia. 2011.
Jānis Baltvilks Award. Nomination for illustrated book "Bear Bruno's Hunts", 2010.
Golden Apple 2009. Grand Prix for illustrated book "Bear Bruno's Hunts", Latvia. 2010.
International J.Baltvilks Award Nomination for "Bite Taken out of The Moon " book, Latvia 2009.
Golden Apple 2008. Grand Prix for illustrated book "Bite Taken out of The Moon ", Latvia. 2009.
Pastariņa Award. Award for illustrations in children's literature. Latvia. 2009.
Latvian Section of IBBY: Baltvilks Award. Award for illustrated book "Pot of Gold", Latvia.
Golden Apple 2007. Nomination for illustrated book "Čingo Baba", Latvia. 2008.
Jānis Baltvilks Award. Nomination for illustrated book "Čingo Baba", Latvia. 2007.
Illustrations for books:
Kurlikt... tikjauk... šī-fer... – Marts Pujāts, Valters un Dakša, Latvia, 2024.
Grönvald on Vacation – Charlotte Ravetti, Lava Forlag, Sweden, 2024.
En den dīno šoko loko tīno – Collective authors, Liels un Mazs, Latvia, 2003.
Write! – Inga Žolude, Dienas grāmata, Latvia, 2023.
Grönvald Saves the Skin – Charlotte Ravetti, Lava Forlag, Sweden, 2023.
Peter-Panda and All the Animals in the World – Ellinor Falk, Lava Forlag, Sweden, 2023.
Prinsessan Prutt – Maria Selmosson, Lava Forlag, Sweden, 2023.
Ingrid and Ivar Throw a Party – Katerina Janouch, Palm Publishing Kids, Sweden, 2023.
Ingrid and Ivar at the Bathhouse – Katerina Janouch, Palm Publishing Kids, Sweden, 2022.
The Constitution in Your Pocket – Jānis Joņevs, Juris Petraškevičs, Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2022.
The Keeper and the Sea – Maria Parr, translated by Jolanta Pētersone, Liels un Mazs, Latvia, 2022.
Zaļā Dzīle – Toms Deimonds Barvidis, Dienas grāmata, Latvia, 2022.
Tonje of Glimmerdale – Maria Parr, translated by Jolanta Pētersone, Liels un Mazs, Latvia, 2021.
How The Shammies Counted Time – Inese Zandere, Maira Dobele, Liels un Mazs, Latvia, 2021.
Pärt in Trouble – Anti Saar, translated by Maima Grīnberga, Liels un Mazs, Latvia, 2020.
A Very Terrible Event – Daniil Harms, translated by Kārlis Vērdiņš, Liels un Mazs, Latvia, 2020.
Tiger – Jānis Joņevs, Dienas grāmata, Riga, Latvia, 2020.
The Child Who Didn’t Fall – Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2019.
Life of I (An Introverted Latvian Writer) – Collective authors, Latvian Literature, Riga, Latvia, 2018.
At the Table – Collective authors, Droši un Koši, Riga, Latvia, 2018.
How The Shammies Learned: The Shammies’ House – Maira Dobele, Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Atom Art, Latvia, 2018.
Braid and No-Sleep – Lote Eglīte, Edmunds Janosns, Inese Zandere, Reinis Pētersons, Liels un Mazs, 2017.
The Boy with a Dog. First Notebook: Fear – Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2017.
The Wicked Alfred – Māris Rungulis, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2012.
Biki-buki – Jānis Baltvilks, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2012.
Horse – Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2013.
The Horror Bus – Paul van Loon, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2013.
Dog Town – Luīze Pastore, Neputns, Riga, Latvia, 2013.
The Riddles of Fox Hill – Māris Rungulis, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2014.
Secret Celebrations – Jānis Joņevs, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2014.
Prose – Collective authors, Orbita, Riga, Latvia, 2014.
Fever – Toms Treibergs, Mansards, Riga, Latvia, 2016.
Dad – Kārlis Vērdiņš, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2016.
The Hunt for Bear Bruno – Juris Zvirgzdiņš, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2009.
Mufa – Juris Zvirgzdiņš, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2011.
How The Shammies Changed – Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2011.
Līze Analīze and Other Hospital Rhymes – Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2012.
Jelgava 94 – Jānis Joņevs, Mansards, Riga, Latvia, 2013.
Landscape with Little Mula – Collective authors, Droši un Koši, Riga, Latvia, 2013.
Animals in Art – Collective authors, Droši un Koši, Riga, Latvia, 2014.
The Little Mula Investigates Series and Other Media – Collective authors, “Droši un Koši,” Riga, Latvia, 2014-2021.
My Friend Percy, Buffalo Bill and Me – Ulf Stark, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2011.
The Wicked Alfred – Māris Rungulis, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2012.
Biki-buki – Jānis Baltvilks, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2012.
A Notch in the Moon – Ojars Vacietis, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2008.
The Golden Pot – James Stephens, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2007.
A True Story About Chingo Babu – Vizma Belševica, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia, 2007.
Artistic design for Stage performances:
The Blue Fox – illustrations for stage design, Directed by Jonas Tertelis, Dailes Theatre, 2024.
The Investigation is Led by Rauši – Directed by Ģirts Šolis, Latvian Puppet Theatre, 2017.
Investigator Caps – Directed by Ģirts Šolis, Latvian Puppet Theatre, 2016.
The Wind in the Willows – Musical production in collaboration with National Symphonic Orchestra, Directed by Ģirts Šolis, 2016.
Pinocchio – Directed by Jan Willem van den Bosch, Latvian Puppet Theatre, 2016.
Tricks and Tales – Directed by Ģirts Šolis, Dirty Deal Teatro, 2015.
Emil and the Berlin Boys – Directed by Ģirts Šolis, Latvian Puppet Theatre, 2013.
Lisa and Lottie – Directed by Ģirts Šolis, Latvian Puppet Theatre, 2012.
Artistic design for films/TV series:
10 Unique Places You Must Visit – Environmental artist, Directed/Scripted by Mihkel Reha, Eesti Joonisfilm, 2024.
Kafka. In Love – Storyboard artist, Directed by Zane Oborenko, Artist Zane Oborenko, Studio AtomArt, 2024.
Broadcast Series "This Happened Here" – illustrations. Directed by Inese Kļava, Author Collective, LTV, 2022-2024.
Anim. film series "The Shammies" Lead artist – Directed by Edmunds Jansons, Inese Zandere, Studio AtomArt, 2011-2020.
Step – Animation series, Directed by Andis Mizišs, Historian Toms Ķikuts, LTV, 2019.
Piļsāta pi upis – Paintings and sketches for film props, Directed by Viesturs Kairišs, EgoMedia, ACME Film, 2018.
Bize and Neguļa – Animation film, Lead artist, Directed by Edmunds Jansons, Studio AtomArt (LV), Dandeloo(FR), 2017.
Ursus – Animation film, Script, direction, and art, Studio AtomArt, 2012.
Spring on Vārnu Street – Frame composition, FX, Directed by Edmunds Jansons, Art by Ilva Kļaviņa, Studio AtomArt, 2009.
Chronology:
2025
NOX JAPAN TAKEOVER / Remote Control GLITCH, NoxGallery x Superchief x Brillia, ART GOLDEN GAI exibit, Tokyo, Japan
2024
GLITCH MIAMI exhibit at SCOPE Art Show, Art Basel Miami Beach, FL, USA
10 Unique Places You Must Visit - Background artist - Dir./Author Mihkel Reha, Eesti Joonisfilm. Estonia
Kafka. In Love - Layout artist - Director, artist Zane Oborenko, Studio AtomArt. Latvia
Blue Fox. Dir. Jonas Tertelis, Dailes theatre. Latvia
TV Series "It Happened Here" - illustrations. Dir. Inese Kļava, team of authors, Latvian National Television. Latvia
Kurlikt... tikjauk... šīī-fer... - Marts Pujāts, Valters un Dakša. Latvia.
Grönvald På Semester - Charlotte Ravetti, Lava Forlag. Sweden.
2023
En den dīno šoko loko tīno - Team of authors, Liels un Mazs. Latvia.
Raksti! - Inga Žolude, Dienas grāmata. Latvia.
Grönvald Räddar Skinnet - Charlotte Ravetti, Lava Forlag. Sweden.
Peter-Panda och Älla Världens Djur - Ellinor Falk, Lava Forlag. Sweden.
Prinsessan Prutt - Maria Selmosson, Lava Forlag. Sweden.
Ingrid och Ivar Gör Kalas - Katerina Janouch, Palm Publishing Kids. Sweden.
2022
Ingrid och Ivar på Badhuset - Katerina Janouch, Palm Publishing Kids. Sweden.
Satversme kabatā - Jānis Joņevs, Juris Petraškevičs. Latvijas Vēstnesis.
Vārtsargs un jūra - Marija Parra, transl. Jolanta Pētersone, Liels un Mazs. Latvia.
Zaļā dzīle - Toms Deimonds Barvidis, Dienas grāmata. Latvia.
Glimmerdāles Tonje - Marija Parra, transl. Jolanta Pētersone, Liels un Mazs. Latvia
2021
"Puika ar Suni", illustrated book by Inese Zandere. Published by Liels un Mazs
"Kā Lupatiņi Skaitīja Laiku", illustrated book by Inese Zandere. Published by Liels un Mazs
2020
"Kā Lupatiņi Ceļoja", animācijas filma. Studija AtomArt.
"Perts Sprukās", illustrated book by Anti Saar. Published by Liels un Mazs
"Ļoti Briesmīgs Notikums", illustrated poetry book, Daniil Harms, Liels un Mazs
"Tīģeris", cover and illustrations. By Jānis Joņevs. Published by Dienas Grāmata
2019
"Bērns, kas neiekrita" illustrated book, Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia
2018
Piļsāta pi upis - Paintings and sketches for film props - Dir. Viesturs Kairišs. EgoMedia, ACME Film. Latvia
"Biedrs Bērns" Cover illustration for Lelo Tungala book. Liels un Mazs.
"Lupatiņi Laukos", illustrated book by Inese Zandere. Published by Liels un Mazs.
2017
"Detective Brothers" play by Ģirts Šolis @ National Puppet Theatre. Puppet, costume and stage design. Latvia.
2016
"Dad" Illustrated poetry book. Karlis Verdins. © Liels un Mazs. Latvia.
"Wind In The Willows" musical play with National Symhonic Orchestra. Directed by Ģirts Šolis and Edgars Mākens. Puppet and stage design.
"Detective Caps" play. Directed by Ģirts Šolis @ National Puppet Theatre. Costume and stage design. Latvia.
2015
"Blēņas un Pasakas" play. Directed by Ģirts Šolis @ Dirty Deal Teatro. Puppet and stage design. Latvia.
"Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. Dir. Jan Willem van den Bosch @ National Puppet Theatre. Puppet, costume and stage design. Latvia.
2014
Secret Celebration. Illustrated picture book. Janis Jonevs. © Liels un Mazs. 2014.
Проза / Proza. Bilingual prose compilation book. © Orbita. 2014.
The Secrets of the Fox Hill. Illustrated book. Maris Rungulis. © Liels un Mazs. 2014.
Mula and the portrait. Illustrated book. © Authors collective Droši un Koši. 2014.
Animals in the Works of Art. illustrated book. © Authors collective Droši un Koši. 2014.
GRAFIKA-S. Exhibition of Latvian Contemporay Graphic Art in Riga Art Space. Latvia.
2013
8. İstanbul Animation Festival, International Panorame, Istanbul, Turkey
25th Sukagawa International Short Film Festival, International Competition, Japan
Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth, International Competition, Canada
4th Roanne animation short film festival “Ciné-court animé”, International Competition, France
Durango Film: An Independent Film Festival, Festival Program, Durango, USA
KloosterKino in Nijmegen, Official Programme, The Netherlands
8th Annual Children’s Film Festival Seattle, International Competition, USA
Black Movie International Film Festival, Black movie for children section, Geneva, Switzerland
2012
Līze Analize And Other Hospital Nursery Rhymes. illustrated book, Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia
Bicky – Bucky. illustrated book, Jānis Balvilks, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia,
Mean Alfred. illustrated book, Māris Rungulis, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia,
9th International Animated Film Festival Animateka 2012, Central and Eastern European Short Animatd Film Competition, Slovenia
30th International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino! Poznań, Poland
Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth, Vancouver, Canada
11th Interntional Short Film Festival Magma – mostra di cinema breve, International competition, Italy
Animpact Animation Festival, Competition programme „Animpact Max”, South Korea
International Film Festival ETIUDA&ANIMA 2012, International Anima competition, Poland
32th Festival International du Film d'Amiens, International Competition, France
21e Festival Séquence court-métrage, European Panorama Animation Programme, Toulouse, France
38th Filmets Badalona Film Festival. Official Selection. Barcelona. Spain
14th Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams, International Cometition, Tallinn, Estonia - Jury’s Special Mention I
27e Festival Europeen du Film Court de Brest, Brest Cedex, France
KUKI the 5th International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth Berlin, in Competition Programme for 10+, Germany
19th Bradford Animation Festival, International Competition “Professional program”, United Kingdom
20th Ozu Film Festival, OZU ANIMATION section, Italy
21st Annual St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF), “Animation 1” programme, USA
The Best Short Film Award at Fredrikstad Animation Festival, International Competition, Norway
Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival - Curta Cinema, Animation Panorama, Brazil
London International Animation Festival, Competition „Children Sessions”, UK
14th Patras International Panorama Film Festival, International Panorama, Greece
Milwaukee Film Festival, Official Selection. USA
XXII Message to Man International Film Festival, International Competition, Russia
Calgary International Film Festival, International Competition, Canada
10th Brazilian Kids Film Festival, International Short Film Program, Brazil
5th International Short Film Festival Wiz-Art, Official Selection, Lviv, Ukraine
La 11ème édition du Festival «Paysages de Cinéastes», Châtenay-Malabry, France
21e Festival Séquence court-métrage, European Panorama Animation Programme, Toulouse, France
38th Filmets Badalona Film Festival. Official Selection. Barcelona. Spain
27e Festival Europeen du Film Court de Brest, Brest Cedex, France
Festival La Normandie et le Monde, Youth short-movies competition, Vernon, France
9th Sedicicorto International Film Festival Forlì, Forlì, Italy
Wiesbaden International Weekend of Animation, Part of “Best of International 2011/2012” competition, Wiesbaden, Germany
Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF). International Competition, Seoul. South Korea
The 14th International Animation Festival in Japan, Hiroshima, International Competition, Japan
20th edition of the International Film Festival ART FILM FEST, Slovakia
Melbourne International Animation Festival, Australia
KALIBER35 Munich International Short Film Festival, Germany
Santarcangelo ’12 ’13 ’14. Festival Internazionale del Teatro in Piazza, Italia
CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival. Official Selection. Toronto. Canada
Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Official Selection. Annecy, France
52nd International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Czech Republic
Animafest Zagreb World Festival Of Animated Film. Grand Panorama. Zagreb, Croatia
International Short Film Festival of Santiago de Compostela, Panorama Youth Audience. A Coruña. Spain
9th IndieLisboa - Lisbon International Independent Film Festival. Emerging Cinema Section. Lisbon. Portugal
Lielais Kristaps National Film Festival. Official Selection. Riga, Latvia
Aspen Shortsfest. International Short Film Festival. Official Selection. Aspen, Colorado, USA.
Clermont-Ferrand 34th International Short Film Festival. International Competition. Clermont-Ferrand, France
2011
Is That He Does Not Seek The Truth, But Does Want To Influence? Exhibition. Riga Art Space. Riga. Latvia.
Healja. Illustrated poetry book. Reinis Runcis. Neputns. Riga. Latvia
How Shammies Teeter-Tottered. Animation short. 2 min. AtomArt, Edmunds Jansons, Inese Zandere. Riga, Latvia.
How Shammies Swapped. illustrated book, Inese Zandere, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
My Friend Percy, Buffalo Bill and I. illustrated book, Ulf Stark, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
URSUS. Charcoal on paper animation. 10 min. AtomArt. Riga, Latvia.
Arsenals. International film festival. Riga, Latvia.
Cold Soup. group show, Sarjakuvakeskus, Helsinki, Finland.
Mufa. illustrated book, Juris Zvirgzdins, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
2010
Office Art. Exhibition. Office Gallery of Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art. Riga. Latvia.
How Shammies Bathed. Animation short. Studio AtomArt, Dir. Edmunds Jansons, Script: Inese Zandere. Riga, Latvia.
Bialystok 25th DAYS OF MODERN ART FESTIVAL. Bialystok, Poland.
The Last Match project. Exhibition:
>Gallery Artside, Lisbon, Portugal.
>Next Comic Festival, Linz, Austria.
>Fumetto Festival, Lucerne, Switzerland.
>Comics Days, Haarlem, the Netherlands.
>Comicstage, Erlangen, Germany.
>Gallery MZIN, Leipzig, Germany.
>Contemporary Art Festival Artisterium, Tbilisi, Georgia.
>KomiksFest!, Prague, Czech Republic.
2009
Springtime In Varnu Street. Animation film. (digital compositioning and color correction).Studio AtomArt, Dir. Edmunds Jansons, Artist: Ilva Kļaviņa. Riga, Latvia.
BOOMFEST. International Festival for Drawn Stories, St. Petersbourg, Russia.
The Hunt for Bear Bruno. Illustrated book, Juris Zvirgzdins, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
2008
A Bite Taken Out of the Moon, Illustrated book, Ojars Vacietis, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
Take Your Time, Exhibition, Riga, Latvia.
2007
The Crock Of Gold, Illustrated book, James Stephens, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
STILL HERE, Video Exhibition, Art Gallery “ARTSPACE”, Sydney, Australia.
Candy Bomber, Exhibition, National Art Museum exhibition hall “Arsenals” Riga, Latvia.
The Myth About, Exhibition, Art Gallery “Bastejs”, Riga, Latvia.
British and Latvian Contemporary Illustration, Exhibition, RDMV, Riga, Latvia.
Patiess stasts par Cingo Babu, Illustrated book, Vizma Belsevica, Liels un Mazs, Riga, Latvia.
2006
Hamburg Meets Riga, Exhibition, Haus 73, Hamburg, Germany.
Videokunst aus dem Baltikum, Exhibition, Kunstraum Düsseldorf, Atelier am Eck, Duesseldorf, Germany.
Blinks, Projected Visions – Latvia, video art exhibition, Greek - American Association, Athens, Greece.
SMS.tag, Screening, Riga, Latvia.
Heart’s Full 2, Exhibition, European Parliament Building & Art Gallery “La Ferme Rose”, Brussels, Belgium.
2005
Surelis Varshkes, Exhibition, Klaipeda concert hall, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
Heart’s Full, Exhibition, Kunstverein Kunst im Turm Lippstadt, Lippstadt, Germany.
Dots & Lines, Online Exhibition for BBC Online & Sonic Arts Network, London, United Kingdom.
JUKAS, Exhibition, National Art Museum exhibition hall “Arsenals”, Riga, Latvia.
2004 – 2000
Live Spirit, Exhibition, Art Gallery “Rigas Galerija”, Riga, Latvia, 2004.
Heart’s Full, Exhibition, Art Gallery “Bastejs”, Riga, Latvia, 2004.
Word in Motion, Festival of Poetic Video, Riga New Theatre, Riga, Latvia, , 2003.
Ūdensgabali, Exhibition, Art Gallery “Noass”, Riga, Latvia, 2003.
Rudens 2001, Exhibition, National Art Museum exhibition hall “Arsenals”, Latvia, 2001.
pHonic, International multimedia festival, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2001.
Interferences, International multimedia festival, Paris, France, 2000.
ArtGenda 2000, International multimedia festival, Helsinki, Finland, 2000.
:::