Jess Smart Smiley's Blog, page 11
July 21, 2015
NEW BOOK OUT NOW!
“Amy wants a pet so she can enter the pet parade competition and win a holiday vacation for her family. Her dad is out of work and her mom insists the family can’t afford a dog or cat or even a crab. When Amy receives a magic rock from a crazy old lady, she discovers that her pet may not just beat the competition, it just might eat them too!”
It was my joy to illustrate Teena Raffa-Mulligan’s Best Beast, and I’m happy to announce that it is now available in paperback and as an ebook.
July 18, 2015
Alt Press Fest Today!
“The City Library’s seventh annual Alt Press Fest celebrates zines, all forms of alternative press, and the awesome people who create it in Salt Lake City. Visit with dozens of local artists and writers as they exhibit their wares, take part in our Sumi Ink workshop, and see steamroller printmaking in action. An exhibition featuring originals from the Library’s Zine Collection and past Alt Press Fest memorabilia will also be on display. Don’t miss it!”
More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/1464186323880138/
July 13, 2015
Event Tonight: Go Set A Watchman
55 years ago saw the publication of Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird”, a novel I was required to read in seventh grade, and hated.
I was used to reading epic fantasy and sci-fi novels, so this slice-of-life piece of historical fiction revolving around social issues in a time I knew little about was not exciting for me to read as a young teenager. Thank Heaven that something inside me changed in High School, and I decided to reread TKAM on my own terms. I loved it.
I have now read the book several times over, and have gifted copies to friends over the years.
I am happy to announce that I have been invited to read from TKAM at Barnes and Noble TONIGHT (Orem, UT location) to celebrate the release of the long-thought-to-be-lost original manuscript from Harper Lee that has been revised for publication, 55 years later.
There is already a lot of controversy around this book, but I’m to be participating in the release of “Go Set A Watchman”, reading at Barnes and Noble tonight from 7:30-8:00pm.
See you there!
July 10, 2015
Sketchbook Exhibition Tonight
I post a lot of photos from my sketchbooks, but I rarely get the chance to sit down with someone and go through what’s happening on the pages.
I’m happy to announce that I am part of the “Sketchbook Exhibition & Under-$200 Show” at the Writ & Vision gallery and bookstore (Provo, UT), opening Friday, July 10, at 6pm.
On display will be sketchbooks from 10 different artist (myself included), available for patrons to peruse on their own with the use of museum gloves. This is a chance for me to share the work I create for myself, in order to develop the concepts, characters, and techniques I use in my books, illustrations, and other work.
Let me know if you’d like to visit the gallery together–I’ll be stopping by the gallery throughout the month and would love to answer any questions you might have.
More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/482555175245393/
July 8, 2015
This Week: Comic Con!
I’m all packed and ready to go to SAN DIEGO COMIC CON! This is happening!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Upside Down: A Hat Full of Spells, I’ll be scribbling in books all day Friday & Saturday at the Top Shelf booth #1721. Come say “hi” and pick up a book or two. Seriously–if you’re going, I want to know about it. Shoot me a message and let me know you’re coming!
June 16, 2015
New Illustration / Marrying a Monster
“He was a 32-year-old inmate who bludgeoned his own mother and sister to death. She was a 60-something mom with a successful life on the outside. What could have possibly made her fall for him?”
Read Jessica Pishko’s full story at http://narrative.ly/stories/marrying-a-monster/.
May 6, 2015
Free Children’s Book Giveaway!
Did you know that this is Children’s Book Week? It’s happening right now! I’ve enjoyed far too many children’s books to list them all here, but I want to hear about your favorites.
Comment with your favorite children’s book at Jess Smart Smiley for a chance to win a signed copy of “Rumpus on the Run”!
April 29, 2015
Get Free Comics – This Saturday!
The first Saturday in May is upon us, which means…FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!
Swing by Dragons Keep this Saturday for free comics. I will be drawing pictures and selling books at the Provo location from 10am-Noon. See you there!
Click for a complete list of Free Comic Book Titles.
April 21, 2015
April 17, 2015
I’M MAKING AN ADVENTURE TIME COMIC!
I got the go-ahead yesterday, so I can now officially announce that I’M MAKING AN ADVENTURE TIME COMIC! Aaaaaah!
Dave Scheidt (Spooky Sleepover, Aw Yeah Comics) has written a hilarious new comic that I’ll be illustrating for an upcoming issue of Adventure Time.
What? You don’t believe me? It’s true! It even says so in this picture:
Watch for our new Adventure Time comic later this year!
