Written by Hello, my name is Brady Smith and here’s a little about me and what I do. I’ve been drawing, doodling, basically “anything art’ since I was old enough to hold a crayon in my hands while balanced on my Dads desk.
Cut to many years later, I went to an awesome, small college in Nacogdoches, Texas (the oldest town in Texas might I add) that is famous for its forestry department. Yep, and I got a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art.
I took a watercolor class, as well as sculpture, printmaking, expressive drawing, etc. Dabbled in many different art mediums, but never stuck to a particular one. I tried to keep my mind open and learn as much as possible between keg parties and everyday college shenanigans. It was a great four years.
After college, I started my own freelance illustration company and, after a short stint working as an artist for hire at the local newspaper, I began working full time for myself. Odd illustration jobs here and there mostly for local magazines and ad agencies. I also began exhibiting acrylic and mixed media paintings at local restaurants, bookstores and galleries around town.
However, I never dabbled in watercolor again. That is, until a few years ago.
Within those few years, I went to Europe, and begin daily documenting my life in an illustrated journal (I still do by the way, every single day for the last 18 years), moved to Los Angeles, got married, had kiddos and created a full and wonderful life.
Now, I make my living as an actor, artist and author.
Actor because it’s what I do when I’m lucky enough to book a gig.
Artist because I still draw and paint daily. I have art shows at galleries at least once every two years and, as I mentioned before, I do my daily illustrated journal.
Author because I’ve written screenplays and television pilots, but what I’m most proud of is the children’s book I wrote with my lovely wife. Illustrations were done by me.
Which brings me back to watercolor. I gave many examples of my work in different mediums to our publisher while trying to find the tone of the book. Everything from ink to acrylic to oil pastel, but ultimately watercolor beat everything else out.
Funny enough, I didn’t have any watercolors besides the ones that my kids use.
So you guessed it, that was what I painted with. When I ran out, I took a quit trip to the local craft store and bought more. Nothing fancy. Just generic kids watercolor paint. Art supplies don’t need to be expensive to work. At least in my humble opinion.
Our book is out now, “You’re Missing It”, by little ol’ me and my wife, Tiffani Thiessen. It’s published by Penguin Random House and available online (click here to grab a copy on Amazon.com!) and in bookstores everywhere. I’ve included some pics directly above as well as the two at the beginning of this post.
You can read and see more on my website and links below.
Brady Smith
Website
Instagram
Kira Kids T-Shirts
Wow such action, feel a story about to burst!
What fun work!
Wonderful, fun illustrations!! Congrats on the book!!!
Art is so fun and playful!!!! Congrats on the book much success. 🙂
Brady, your sense of whimsy shows up in both your writing and your art (and your photo, lol). Congratulations on your book – I know it will bring smiles to many happy readers.
I am impressed by such a commitment to daily drawing and I love the way your visual diary looks like a graphic novel or comic book.
Nice drawings Brady.
Lovely arts! Thank you for sharing your story. Wishing you every success on your book!
Congrats on the book but wow 18 years of keeping a visual diary! I am impressed and it looks so great – I would love to take a browse through. Hope you continue doing well in all your endeavors.
What fun! Congratulations to both of you on a book well done.
How exciting! Love seeing your diary and your work. Very impressive!