Bentley Wesley Smith (aka Wes) was born and raised in Pennsylvania, where his love for art and animation first took root. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Wes spent much of his childhood deeply engrossed in the imaginative worlds portrayed in children’s literature and animated shows, such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes. He also enjoyed children’s books like Captain Underpants and Garfield. These formative years helped him discover his passion for animation and its ability to convey compelling stories. 

Determined to turn his passion into a career, Wes pursued formal animation education. He enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Traditional Animation. During his time at SCAD, he developed a solid foundation in the fundamentals of animation, honing his skills in character design, movement, and storytelling. Wes also chose to minor in Sequential Art, a decision that allowed him to explore his interest in graphic novels and deepen his understanding of visual storytelling. 

After completing his studies at SCAD, Wes moved to New York City to further his education at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), where he majored in Computer Arts. This move allowed him to bridge his traditional animation background with cutting-edge digital techniques, providing him with a diverse skill set to bring his creative ideas to life in both traditional and digital formats. During Wes’s time at SVA, he developed a strong passion for storyboarding. The course brought him joy through humor and drawing, inspiring him to pursue a career as a storyboard artist. 

Now, as a recent graduate of SVA, Wes is focused on pursuing his dream of creating original animated works. Drawing from his experiences growing up in Pennsylvania and his formal education, he hopes to craft stories that entertain, inspire, and offer valuable lessons for audiences of all ages. With his strong artistic background, passion for storytelling, and technical expertise, Wes is ready to make his mark in the animation industry. Whether through animation, comics, or digital media, he is dedicated to creating imaginative and meaningful words that resonate with today’s audience. Wes believes that animation is a powerful medium for communicating ideas, and he is determined to use his talents to create animations that not only captivate viewers but also leave a lasting impact.