Illustrator or Painter for Putumayo

Putumayo Digital Media represents the globally recognized Putumayo brand (www.putumayo.com), which has been releasing world music compilations for over 30 years with hundreds of releases that explore culturally rich music from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and beyond. We are seeking a talented illustrator or painter to create original cover artwork for our ongoing digital release program of approximately two albums per month.

About the Work

Our visual identity is rooted in the folk naive tradition: hand-painted quality, character-driven, culturally specific, bold, and warm. We are now looking for artists who can create new illustrations that are consistent with the look and feel of its previous covers while being designed for primarily digital context in which our albums are currently enjoyed.

Each cover should feature one to four figures set against a richly textured background. The mood is celebratory, positive, dynamic, inviting, and features a rich color palate. Every release represents a specific cultural tradition, and we take accuracy and authenticity seriously. No AI-generated work will be accepted.

As a digital-first label, covers must perform at streaming thumbnail scale as well as full resolution. Artwork is also animated for use on Spotify Canvas, YouTube, social media, and other platforms, so files must be structured accordingly.

What We're Looking For

• A strong command of folk, naive, or outsider art aesthetics

• Expressive, culturally grounded figurative illustration consistent with Putumayo’s established brand and previous album artwork (specific examples here)

• A genuinely hand-painted or hand-made quality

• Experience working in Photoshop with layered files

• Ability to deliver clean, animation-ready PSD files with separated elements

• Can work quickly and under deadline

• Can work independently, is responsive, and communicates clearly

• Some familiarity with Putumayo and interest in global music and culture is a plus

• Artwork must be human-made and not AI generated

• Hand-lettering ability is a plus but not required

What We Offer

• A flat-fee per cover on a work-for-hire basis

• $800 USD per cover

• Ongoing relationship for the right artist(s) for approximately 24 albums per year

• Global audience with a respected catalog and devoted fan base

To Apply

Please send the following to info@putumayodigital.com:

• A link to your portfolio or 5–10 samples of relevant work

• A brief note (no more than a paragraph) on why this project interests you

• If you have examples of layered PSD files or animation-ready work, please include or describe them

• Applicants may be asked to create a demo piece based on a specific prompt or theme

We are open to artists anywhere in the world. We are looking for both a primary ongoing collaborator and potentially a small roster of artists for different cultural regions or moods.