by jdsmeaton | Feb 7, 2024 | Writing
The Most Amazing Song Never Written I read Tom Petty’s biography a few years back. I had been a fan since high school but reading the book gave me a greater appreciation for the music I’d been listening to for years. But if things had played out a little differently,...
by jdsmeaton | Jan 17, 2024 | 3 Questions With...
I heard about Doogie Horner through his interview on the 3 Point Perspective podcast. He’s the author and illustrator of a number of books including This Might Hurt a Bit and A Die Hard Christmas. I liked the interview so I looked him up. I appreciate his outlook and...
by jdsmeaton | Jan 3, 2024 | Recommendations
My 4 Favorite Graphic Novels of 2023 I’ve seen a bunch of fantastic lists of people’s favorite books of 2023 but I haven’t seen anyone’s favorite YA & Kids graphic novels. So here are my absolute favorites. First up is Forest Hills Bootleg Society by Dave Baker...
by jdsmeaton | Dec 20, 2023 | 3 Questions With...
Sometime in the early 2010s I read an article about an artist who turned down a lucrative job with Google designing “Doodles” for their homepage. Instead, he decided to pursue his dream of illustrating children’s books. I remember thinking “Wow, that’s awesome,...
by jdsmeaton | Dec 6, 2023 | Storytelling, Writing
The Evolution of Charlie Brown (And Your Own Work) Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I got to go to the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California. It was wonderful and inspiring. I lucked out with my visit coinciding with the current exhibition of Peanuts Evolution...
by jdsmeaton | Nov 15, 2023 | 3 Questions With...
I came across Michael Grover’s work through Super Punch, a website I frequent that shares fun and interesting things. It recommended the short webcomic, Hamburglar Goes To Hell. It’s wonderfully creative and ridiculous. Everything you could hope for with that title....
by jdsmeaton | Nov 1, 2023 | Writing
The Surprising Key to a Child Prodigy’s Artistic Greatness I came across musician/singer Ethan Bortnick on TikTok. He performs these insanely impressive pop/rock piano songs. I liked his work so I looked him up. He’s in his early 20s now but turns out he was a...
by jdsmeaton | Oct 19, 2023 | 3 Questions With...
I think I first came across David on Kids Comics Unite. When I saw his upcoming book Pizza Pickles And Apple Pie: The Stories Behind The Foods We Love, I was sold. It’s the kind of book I’m surprised didn’t exist beforehand but glad it does now. He’s a fellow Sergio...
by jdsmeaton | Oct 3, 2023 | Storytelling, Writing
Why Shakespeare Couldn’t Care Less About His Legacy (And You Shouldn’t Either) I think about legacy a fair amount. There’s a part of me that wants to create a lasting body of work. But the more I contemplate it, the more it seems personal legacy does not...
by jdsmeaton | Sep 19, 2023 | 3 Questions With...
I’m not sure where I first encountered Adam’s work but I immediately became a fan when I did. So has my son. His favorite bedtime story is the delightful ARE YOU SCARED DARTH VADER? On the surface and what immediately attracts you to Adam’s artwork is that he is a...
