From the amazing city of Nashville, TN., the author, Curtis Smith Jr., has always been into different types of art.  The oldest boy of 4 grew up on the East side, and was later put in home-school/ private school.  After graduating from Nashville State Tech and MTSU, the goal was to go into business to pay for school. While there he started a graphics art brand in the school library. He later worked for a print company to learn about the business of marketing. The Nashville Native writes under the alias brand, “Written ByCJ.” He writes stories often with layered concepts. His skills of simplifying complex situations for younger receptive minds comes in handy on the field. He often coaches 5th grade football with his friend. While it teaches patience, it helps to positivity affect future of the youth.

 

His created character, CJ, paints art to entertain and windows to go to the “other side.” He brings back poems and short stories for all ages. “All Ages” is important because while 8+ is the age group...every reader will understand different concepts at their own level. It could go from a bedtime story, a coloring book for some, to stories that may inspire one for life. The stories and even the short-videos are either: humor-based, life lessons, thought provoking, motivational...but all are unique. For this, Picture This, he only uses the colors: black, white, and a drop of red. The idea behind this is polarity. There is good and bad, positive and negative, truth and lies, light and dark, ying  and yang. After that, there is the perspective or reaction that we have of either. His perspective is often that of optimism.

 

Much of his inspiration started from TV shows on channel 8, better known as PBS or NPT (Nashville Public Television). Shows like “Reading Rainbow” fanned the flames of his limitless imagination. Artists such as: Shell Silverstein, Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak and many more have greatly influenced his style. Some stories are twist on situations or from real life events. His last inspiration comes from Stephanie R. Bell. She was: an artist, a youth church choreographer, piano player, valedictorian, AND his first love interest. Unfortunately, she lost her second battle to cancer. 

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This book is the fruit of 30+ years of:

Life, Growth, Lessons, Observations, Ideas, Development, and above all else... Entertainment.  

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