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Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates

@crystalsmithart.bsky.social

West coast illustrator & writerπŸ€–πŸ¦•πŸ›Ό Short, left-handed, adhd, lighthouse keeper’s daughter. Nature & neon Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social -Starling Literary & Media @starlingliterary.bsky.social PBs: MAYBE A WHALE | MOTHER ASPEN www.heycrystalsmith.com

5,940 Followers  |  4,999 Following  |  1,662 Posts  |  Joined: 09.08.2023
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Posts by Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates (@crystalsmithart.bsky.social)

I 100% agree!! πŸ₯°

04.03.2026 04:18 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Actually it's super refreshing and upbeat to see someone working on such a great project even in the midst of all this. Supporting it could be very cathartic to a lot of people, especially artists.

03.03.2026 18:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
seals and jellyfish underwater with kayak above. Turquoise.

seals and jellyfish underwater with kayak above. Turquoise.

blue heron catching fish that are jumping in a heart shape. Pinks and yellows fading into blues.

blue heron catching fish that are jumping in a heart shape. Pinks and yellows fading into blues.

Buffalo in the middle of a field with two birds on it's back in love

Buffalo in the middle of a field with two birds on it's back in love

Walrus sitting on ice, in front of a big sun. Purples and pinks.

Walrus sitting on ice, in front of a big sun. Purples and pinks.

Today is #worldwildlifeday where we not only appreciate the incredible creatures around us, but also look at solutions to keeping them from disappearing.

#illustration #illustrator #kidlit #Kidlitart #sciart

03.03.2026 15:25 β€” πŸ‘ 37    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0

Still has AI

27.02.2026 19:31 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Argh that sucks - it is so all over the place with contracts and payments. Do you also submit to magazines/blogs that pay?

24.02.2026 18:23 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

yes, writing a 'gratitude journal' is not the fix-all that the internet might tell you, lol. I'm in the same boat as you for royalties and advances - I enjoy doing kids books but have to separate it from actually making a living.

24.02.2026 16:22 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Just a leopard gecko being cute....πŸ₯°

#gecko #leopardgecko #cute #cutie

23.02.2026 16:57 β€” πŸ‘ 263    πŸ” 21    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
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In solidarity with all my friends buried under mounds of snow today β„οΈβ˜ƒοΈβ„οΈβ˜ƒοΈβ„οΈβ˜ƒοΈβ„οΈβ˜ƒοΈ (and a bit jealous)

#snow #kidlitart #illustration #cankidlit

23.02.2026 16:44 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

This is exactly like AI art -

Taking school just to get the credit, recognition, acolades.
AI making art for you just so you get the credit, recognition, acolades.

23.02.2026 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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That time I travelled across Canada in the winter and ended up unexpectedly at Niagara Fallsβ€”and it was FROZEN.

heyshotsnaps.tumblr.com/post/8091299...

#photo #photos #photography #Niagarafalls #canada #landscape #landscapephoto #landscapephotography #waterfall

21.02.2026 04:07 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Good idea!!

21.02.2026 03:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

OMG yes. Just a disaster really. I can't even bother to send things over there anymore lol.

20.02.2026 20:00 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you!!

20.02.2026 19:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I think we are used to giveaways on social media platforms just being a way to get people to follow and tag friends so that the metrics help someone's algorithm (ei. Instagram). I think a lot of the people on Bluesky are just not in it for that kind of thing anymore.

20.02.2026 17:33 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It's true!! Pinky swear!! Just saw a whole bunch of people back on there and posting - oh how I miss it

19.02.2026 05:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

*whispers* guys....people are back on Tumblr!
πŸ₯Ή

19.02.2026 03:45 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Totally agree!! I have a hard time getting into discord. No solid threads.

18.02.2026 15:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes - I'm wondering about putting together a hub for artists/creatives. Something where it was less risky, much easier to find people, and they could only pay for what they need.

17.02.2026 19:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Yup!! And does mother's day SO big

17.02.2026 19:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I've never seen Zohran and his mother together, but you somehow just KNOW he treats her like gold.

17.02.2026 16:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I've never seen Zohran and his mother together, but you somehow just KNOW he treats her like gold.

17.02.2026 16:35 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

YES! I feel like I used to look at websites way more...now social media seems to be the only thing consistent. It's hard to find decent sites of artists or interesting things.

17.02.2026 16:20 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Do you think it's that artists can't find people, or do you think it's that it can be hard to afford to hire these people? (Really asking)

17.02.2026 16:08 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Wow.

17.02.2026 03:59 β€” πŸ‘ 35856    πŸ” 16627    πŸ’¬ 1297    πŸ“Œ 2466

Definitely a nice thing to get - though wish it was a bit more substantial lol.

16.02.2026 22:13 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

It's not quite that good - we get a check once a year based on how many copies are in libraries and how many times they are checked out. It's usually $200-$500 or so.

16.02.2026 22:11 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

If you see this, post a rabbit πŸ‡
#kidlitart #kidlit #illustration #rabbit

16.02.2026 16:57 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
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XOXOXOXO - Happy Valentines Day!

14.02.2026 19:07 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Painting some textures to scan in and use in illustrations for the new book I'll be doing soon all about space and the ocean.

#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitlife

14.02.2026 02:36 β€” πŸ‘ 29    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Nah - big film studios are becoming like fast foodβ€”full of tasteless, average, regurgitated, forgettable projects.

People are going to go for the home-cooked, unforgettable, WOW of small studios and indie work in the future. That's where the talent will go!

13.02.2026 21:15 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0