From Doodles on Bills to Books: The Creative World of the Simpson Family
It’s not every day you stumble upon a creative dynasty at a local event, but that’s exactly what happened when we met the Simpson family—Tim, Lorie, and Eli—at the Farmers Market at Tractor Supply in Bristol, VA. This South Carolina-based family, with roots in Northeast Tennessee, is a powerhouse of art, literature, and entrepreneurship.
The Prolific Artist and Author
The head of the family, Tim Simpson, is a phenomenal comic book artist and a remarkably prolific author. He estimates he has published around one hundred books, showcasing his lifelong passion for drawing. Tim’s path to professional artistry began in humble circumstances, drawing on the backs of bills his impoverished grandmother saved because she couldn’t afford drawing paper. “I’ve been drawing my entire existence,” Tim explained. This early dedication eventually led to an opportunity to join an art school after a successful submission to a television pamphlet contest. However, financial constraints prevented him from continuing at the time.
Today, Tim’s work is easily accessible on major platforms. Although he is a talented artist, his main audience is on Audible, where he offers a full page of content featuring narrators from around the world. Some of his many titles include Wolf by Night, The Art of Crown Wars, Magnum Opus, and Noir: The Collection.
You can explore Tim’s published work and find out more about his artistry through the following links:
- Website: Tim Simpson’s World
- Audible: Tim Simpson on Audible
- Amazon: Tim Simpson’s Author Page
A Love Story and a Christian Mystery
Tim’s creative world merged with Lorie Simpson’s in a charming, modern love story. The two met on Facebook Dating when Lorie, who was in the process of writing her own book, commented on his profile. Tim quickly offered to help, finding a clever way to get her number by offering a link to one of his books. “The rest is history,” Lorie shared.
Lorie is an author in her own right, with one published book: Saving Faith, a Christian murder mystery. She describes her work as exploring the struggles and fears we face, while emphasizing that “we can rely on God through all of that.”
In addition to writing, Lorie has found a unique entrepreneurial outlet: cobblers in a jar. This idea was inspired by their pastor, who urged her to sell the desserts she made for church events. The jar solved the problem of keeping the delicious fruit cobblers fresh and easy to transport, making them a popular market item.
The Next Generation: E-Man56 Plumbing and More
The creative spark is clearly genetic, as evidenced by the Simpsons raising a content creator in their son, Eli Simpson. While still young, Eli is already the proud owner of a YouTube channel called E-man56 Plumbing and more.
Currently focused on practical skills such as plumbing and cars, Eli’s channel showcases a fascinating and potentially lucrative set of interests. As Tim noted, “He’s the YouTube guy,” and his dad even encourages the plumbing focus, jokingly pointing out that plumbers make excellent money, especially around the holidays.
You can check out Eli’s channel here: E-man56 Plumbing and more.
Whether they are writing a Christian murder mystery, selling desserts, creating comic books, or running a YouTube channel, the Simpson family embodies a passion for creation and entrepreneurship. You can find their combined body of work and stay up-to-date with their latest endeavors on Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and their Facebook page.