Jess Smart Smiley's Blog, page 13

NEW SHIRT!

Okay, I think this might be my most favoritest shirt yet!

I’ve been feeling extra grateful for the people, places, and projects in my life and I wanted to put it all down in a happy little illustration. This is a message that I feel I’ve been wearing for some time, so I thought that I might as well wear it–as a shirt!

Pick up your own shirt here and share your happy world with the rest of us :)

Song for the Weekend

Happy weekend, everyone!

Scary Comics for Kids

Check it out–I got my contributor copies for “Die! Boo! Die!” …the horror comic for kids that DARE to read it!

Forbidden Planet called my submission “one of the most interesting strips. The tension over time builds up sufficiently to unnerve and panic.”

Only 200 copies of “Die! Boo! Die!” were made, and you can pick up your own at http://boocomic.bigcartel.com/product/die-boo-die.

The Night My Fiancé Died

“As my fiancé’s life slipped away in front of my eyes I stood by, shocked that the cops didn’t perform CPR. When I saw the same thing happen in the Eric Garner chokehold video, I wanted answers.”

THE NIGHT MY FIANCÉ DIED—AND THE QUESTIONS THE NYPD WON’T ANSWER

I was recently asked to create an illustration to accompany this harrowing account from Gina Masullo for Narratively. The published story is a grim account of actual events as experienced by the author, which includes references to (and complete footage of) the death of Eric Garner.

My job was to represent roughly 22 minutes of reading material in a single illustration, and I decided to focus on the emotional impact of the story, including several dizzying details and moments from Gina’s account.

It’s incredibly painful to know that the events and outcomes are real, but The Night My Fiancé Died has been an important call to action for me and my hope is that the illustration serves its intended purpose.

(Read The Night My Fiancé Died)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

2014 has been my busiest year yet, and there’s still plenty to be done over the next week!

Thanks for sticking with me and for supporting me and my work. It means so much to me to know that all the hours I’ve spent in my sketchbook and on the computer mean something to someone besides myself.

2014: REWIND

Here’s a look back at some of what I made/worked on/participated in this year…

Artwork for Cory Mon‘s newest album, “North”.

Illustrated ad for Doublesix Dice.

Life, the Universe and Everything symposium on Literature and Art (apologies for the old photo). I sold out of my books, Upside Down: A Vampire Tale and Rumpus on the Run! SO COOL!

I was invited to table and speak at Salt Lake Comic Con Fan X.

Working with Dragons Keep in Provo, we launched a monthly comic jam. We’ve now met 7 times and plan to continue through 2015!

Performed the song “Chance” at Muse Music with Drew Danburry as part of his For All The Girls release.

Made this Wolverine Is The Snikt t-shirt.

I was invited to table at and create the posters/flyers/badges for the Alt Press Fest, which was a blast!

Made this bonkers look-n-find illustration for Stay Wild Magazine.

My mermaids are on shower curtains. So…that’s weird.

I made a mess in my backyard.

I made a teeny-bitsy comic called Ghosties, with a single panel on each page.

I made a big ol’ newspaper-sized comic (really!) about a boy that discovers The Devil’s Footprints.

I finally read Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes and loved it! Read it! Right now!

I taught my second five-day comics workshop at Higher Ground Learning and it was amazing!

I made a 4-page comic with Dave Scheidt for Aw Yeah Comics! #8.

I made a bunch of 1 Minute Drawings, including this punk robot.

I saw my home town from 10k feet.

I illustrated a hilarious and informative book about food, called Rude Dude’s Book of Food, written by Tim J. Meyers.

I illustrated a book called 10 Little Monsters Visit Oregon, written by Rick Walton.

I made a 4-page comic with writers Jason Wong and Dave Scheidt, starring a giant baby.

I signed books at Barnes & Noble. I ALSO SIGNED A NOOK! SEE?

I made a book with Dave Scheidt called Spooky Sleepover, which has been read by both dogs and cats! 

I introduced the cover for my newest book project with Top Shelf, Upside Down: A Hatful of Spells (Fall 2015).

I started a webcomic with D. Bradford Gambles, Mitch Parker, and Drea Hatch, called A Donut’s Tale.

I made a t-shirt for musician Joshua James.

I made a 4-page comic with writer Erick Freitas for Feral NYC.

I made some illustrations for Narratively.

THANK YOU

Thank you for helping to make my 2014 such a great year!

If you’ve stopped to check out my work: thank you. If you’ve picked up one of my books from the store or library: thank you. If you’ve taken the time to say hi to me at an event: thank you. If you’re an artist/writer that’s been in touch to talk about making more of the work you want to make: thank you. You all help to keep me pushing forward and you’ve helped me to think that I might be of use to someone, after all. Thank you.

2015

I’m in the thick of several projects due for release in 2015. Keep watching this blog for more illustrations, books, comics, and more!

NEW BOOKS 40% OFF!

For this week only, Familius is offering 40% off my two new books, 10 Little Monsters Visit Oregon and Rude Dude’s Book of Food. Both books are great for children and make wonderful gifts (I’m just sayin’)!

  

$5 OFF + FREE SHIPPING (TODAY ONLY)

$5 off plus FREE SHIPPING, today only! 

Tote Bags, T-Shirts, Shower Curtains, Framed Prints, Phone Cases & more!

NEW BOOK COVER REVEAL!

My first graphic novel, Upside Down: A Vampire Tale, was released two years ago from Top Shelf Productions, and now I’m happy to announce that BOOK 2 IS COMING OCTOBER 2015! Woot!

Here’s our cover for book 2! Keep watching this blog for more teasers to get you excited for Upside Down: A Hatful of Spells, coming October 2015!

BOOK SIGNING / WORKSHOP TONIGHT!

Tonight I’ll be signing books and teaching a mini drawing workshop at Barnes & Noble in Orem, Utah (330 E University Pkwy).

Come party on paper and pick up some fun books! See you TONIGHT at 6PM!

Upside Down: A Vampire Tale

Rumpus on the Run: A Monster Look-n-Find Book

10 Little Monsters Visit Oregon

A HAUNTED TOILET, VENGEFUL GHOSTS & A HUNGRY WEREWOLF

Halloween is behind us, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy Spooky Sleepover! Check out this review from Jonathan Kennedy and STAY SPOOKY.