Illustrator Spotlight: Olga Smith
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| © Olga Smith |
Jan. 1, 2026
Tell us about yourself and how you came to illustrate for children.
My passion for illustration sparked after I became a mom and created the Animal Action Cards game for my daughter. When I self-published it and saw how much children enjoyed it, something clicked. I left my career in IT to pursue this newly discovered love for illustrating. I’ve taken many illustration courses and continue learning every day. I’m still early in my illustration journey, but I trust it will lead somewhere meaningful because I truly love what I do.
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| © Olga Smith |
Congrats on your winning banner design! How did you approach this project?
I knew I wanted to draw funny-looking birds, and my mind went straight to chickens. They can look so quirky and expressive, so I ran with that idea. Naturally, they had to be reading chicken-themed books. I love adding humor to my art whenever I can.
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| © Olga Smith |
What is your preferred illustration style and medium?
I work digitally, mostly in Procreate. Someday, when my kids are older and I’m less likely to be interrupted mid-stroke, I’d love to return to traditional media.
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| © Olga Smith |
What projects are you working on now?
Over the last year, I’ve devoted time to learning how to write picture books. I’m currently working on book dummies for three of my stories, which I hope to start submitting to agents soon.
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| © Olga Smith |
One dummy I just finished drawing is called A TINY FRIEND FOR CROCODILE RYLE. It’s a story about Crocodile Ryle, who was the grump of the swamp. He thought having a friend was the worst idea ever. Yuck! He tricked and ate everyone around him, until one day the other animals had enough and left. Alone and lonely, Crocodile Ryle cried. That’s when he met a kind butterfly who wiped his tears, and maybe, melted his scaly heart. Inspired by real rainforest facts about butterflies sipping crocodile tears for salt.
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| © Olga Smith |
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I grew up in Vladivostok, Russia, a port city on the Pacific Ocean, right next to Japan and China. I don’t often talk about where I’m from because I struggle with the current politics there, though my accent usually gives me away anyway :)
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| © Olga Smith |
When I was in college, I entered a writing contest held by a university in New Zealand. I won, and the prize was a semester of study there. Unfortunately, my family couldn’t afford the airplane tickets, we didn’t have much money, so I wasn’t able to go. At the time, traveling abroad from Russia was incredibly rare, but the experience still motivated me to keep dreaming beyond my circumstances.
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| © Olga Smith |
Where can people find you online?
www.Instagram.com/OlgaSmithArt
https://bsky.app/profile/olgasmithart.bsky.social
Olga Smith is an author-illustrator based in Cincinnati, OH, USA. Her passion for illustration sparked after becoming a mom when she created Animal Action Cards for her daughter. Seeing its success after self-publishing, she embraced a career in illustration while balancing full-time parenting. Recently, she has also fallen in love with writing and has been exploring the craft. She has several picture book dummies available upon request and is open to illustration-only projects.
Olga works digitally, bringing illustrations to life with bright colors and humor. Having lived in New York City before moving to Cincinnati, she often draws inspiration from cityscapes, nature, and her two kids. She also enjoys meditation, yoga, and hiking.
Animal Action Cards giveaway
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