The 'x' is pronounced like a 'c'

I grew up in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon where I developed a love of hamburgers, drawing, and anthropomorphic food. Upon becoming an adult, I decided to follow my childhood dreams of being a cartoonist and picture book maker. I attended the University of Washington and then Cornish College of the Arts where I graduated in 2004 with a BFA in painting and printmaking.

My artistic career has been a mix of comics, fine art, and illustration. I've worked with publications such as: The Chicago Reader, The Seattle Weekly, The Stranger, Nickelodeon Magazine, and Highlights. In 2007, I was a selected artist for New American Paintings No. 73. And in 2009 I received a GAP Grant from the Washington State arts organization Artist Trust for my fine art drawing. But my love of picture books has been my lifelong dream and passion.

My debut picture book, Boats for Papa has earned many accolades and awards including a Fall 2015 Junior Library Guild Selection, the SCBWI 2016 Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text, the 2016 Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award, and was a 2016 ALA Notable. My picture book, Laundry Day, was not only a Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2016 but it also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for Writing. My most recent picture books, Henry and Bea and Daisy, are also Junior Library Guild Selections!

I also illustrate for other writers and collaborate with people on books! Vincent Comes Home, is a collaboration with my funny and amazingly talented husband, Aaron Bagley, whom I love working with on books, art, and Halloween costumes.

I live in Seattle, Washington in a castle in the sky with my wonderful husband, painfully adorable son, and a slew of houseplants that all have names. I still love hamburgers, drawing, and anthropomorphic food.

Follow your dreams, kids!

I am represented by Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow Literary.

I am available for school visits and speaking engagements. For information, please contact Carmen Oliver at The Booking Biz.

If you'd like to contact me, please email me: jessixag at gmail.com

Are you a student, teacher, librarian with letters to mail me? Email me for a good mailing address!

Or if you wanna get super fancy, follow me on Instagram or Twitter!