2026 State of the Art Prize, Kentucky

About Rachel Elliott

Lexington, KY

I’m a cartoonist and author-illustrator of books for middle grade readers (7-12 years old.) My first graphic novel, THE REAL RILEY MAYES, followed a queer fifth grade girl who aspires to contact her favorite TV comedian. It won a Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association and a Sid Fleischman Honor for humor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s nominated for several state readers’ choice awards, and added to LGBTQ+ reading lists at libraries across the United States. My comics feature characters with over the top imaginations, dynamic duos who bump heads, humorous dialogue, working class settings, and the unlikely things we achieve when we make decisions based on our heart. I am currently working on a humorous mystery graphic novel series for HarperCollins titled ZEB AND BEL, pitched as a kids’ version of “Only Murders in the Building” starring pets. I’m also working on early reader comics for Macmillan titled ISAAC AND PEARL, starring an irreverent little sister and a reserved and gentle older brother. My education includes a BFA in Studio Art from Truman State University, the Yale Summer School of Art, and an MFA in Painting from Bard College.

I’m a cartoonist and author-illustrator of books for middle grade readers (7-12 years old.) My first graphic novel, THE REAL RILEY MAYES, followed a queer fifth grade girl who aspires to contact her favorite TV comedian. It won a Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association and a Sid Fleischman Honor for humor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s nominated for several state readers’ choice awards, and added to LGBTQ+ reading lists at libraries across the United States. My comics feature characters with over the top imaginations, dynamic duos who bump heads, humorous dialogue, working class settings, and the unlikely things we achieve when we make decisions based on our heart. I am currently working on a humorous mystery graphic novel series for HarperCollins titled ZEB AND BEL, pitched as a kids’ version of “Only Murders in the Building” starring pets. I’m also working on early reader comics for Macmillan titled ISAAC AND PEARL, starring an irreverent little sister and a reserved and gentle older brother. My education includes a BFA in Studio Art from Truman State University, the Yale Summer School of Art, and an MFA in Painting from Bard College.