Page 9 - Final update Publication 2nd Annual Something JazzZee Exibition The Spirit of Art (7)

Otis Smith

Otis Smth is a 27 year old African American digital artist out of
California, engaging in the arts most of his life which led him to
help establish a illustration and animation business called Otito-
graphics. He is also a spoken-word artist who performed at vari-
ous venues throughout the Long Beach area and Milwaukee Wis-
consin. However, his art
skill is not the only thing
which makes him unique,
he also suffers from a ra-
re disability known as femoral hypoplasia syndrome; mean-
ing he was born with short limbs and confined to a wheel-
chair. But not letting adversity stop him he completed his AA
at Long Beach city college then wrote and illustrated four
comic books and is currently working on his fifth. The first
three comics are titled "A Promise Broken" which is a series
based on the teachings of his favorite African American
scholar Dr. Chancellor Williams who authored " The De-
struction of Black Civilization." His latest project however will
highlight a disabled protagonist and promise to give us more
of a glimpse into his personal life. It will touch on an array of
topics such as over coming issues with self confidence, anti-
bullying, social justice issues and more with an African twist.
Speaking of an African twist, Otis and the African American
Museum of Beginnings have developed a healthy growing
relationship and are planning a book signing or authors meet and greet there fairly soon. So be on

the lookout, but while you wait you may view his work on his site at www.otitographics.com