News from Sean Qualls

Code Magazine Interview - Blacks in the Age of Obama

2011-07-29T12:26:00.002-04:00

Photographers Tribble & Mancenido photographed nine artists for CODE Magazine. Check out the other eight artists here. Many thanks to Tracey and James for including me and Peter Duhon for the interview.

Read Every Day, Lead a Better Life

2011-05-10T11:05:00.003-04:00

Recently, I had the privilege of joining 11 other artists to help Scholastic launch a month long global literacy campaign, "Read Every Day, Lead a Better Life." All 12 of us created art that is being used for posters to promote the campaign. And now for the month of May, the original art is being auctioned online. The auction benefits two great organizations, Reading is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read. I'm not saying you should bid on my piece, after all there are 11 other artists who's work I'm sure you would love to win. A bid for anyone's art would be a fantastic thing! Here's my art .

And who are the other 11 artists? Check out the picture below. On Thursday, Scholastic invited us all to their headquarters for a day long launch party. It was an honor to meet all of the illustrators, especially Norman Bridwell (the creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog) who was there with his lovely wife, Norma.The picture up top is of me with Stephen Savage and Jon J. Muth.

L to R: Jon J. Muth (Zen Shorts), Mary GranPré (Harry Potter), Norman Bridwell (Clifford the Big Red Dog), Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Bruce Degan (The Magic School Bus), Barbara McClintock (Our Abe Lincoln), Ed Fotheringham (Tony Baloney), David Shannon (No, David), Jeff Smith (Bone), Sean Qualls (Dizzy), Mark Teague (LaRue), Stephen Savage (Where's Walrus?). Photo credit: Stuart Ramson.

An Earth Day Book Celebration!

2011-04-12T10:20:00.001-04:00

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY!
.
SUNDAY APRIL 17TH, 2011 1-3Pm @ Books of wonder.

I'll be signing copies of GIANT STEPS TO CHANGE THE WORLD at Books of Wonder this Sunday. Joining will be friends Peter Brown and Monica Wellington signing their books as well as authors/illustrators Patrick McDonnell and Brian Yanish . Come join!

Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

http://www.booksofwonder.com/events041711.asp

Opening Reception! THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK

2011-03-04T00:20:00.000-05:00

Art and wine always make for a good combination! Original art this time. Details below.

Featuring work by
Selina Alko
Sean Qualls
Brian Floca
Brett Helquist
Peter Brown

Aileen Leijten
Dan Yaccarino
Boris Kulikov

John Rocco
David Gordon
Sophie Blackall
John Bemelmans Marciano
Sergio Ruzzier

Friday, March 4th

6 - 8 PM

Powerhouse Arena

37 Main Street, DUMBO

Marian Anderson

2011-02-28T14:02:00.000-05:00

Day 28 of Black History Month.

Lauryn Hill

2011-02-25T14:21:00.000-05:00

Day 25 of Black History Month.

Charles Mingus

2011-02-24T12:23:00.000-05:00

Day 24 of Black History Month.

W.E.B Dubois

2011-02-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

Day 23 of Black History Month and Dubois' birthday.

Richard Wright

2011-02-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

Day 22 of Black History Month.

Barbara Jordan

2011-02-21T11:40:00.000-05:00

Day 21 of Black History Month. Today is also Barbara Jordan's birthday.

BoookCourt Signing - Feb. 20th

2011-02-20T22:08:00.001-05:00

special thanks to Rebecca Rent for the photo.

Toni Morrison

2011-02-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

Day18 of Black History Month. Today is also Ms. Morrison's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Toni!

Sojourner Truth

2011-02-17T15:23:00.000-05:00

Day 17 of Black History Month.

Benjamin Banneker

2011-02-16T09:48:00.000-05:00

Day 16 of Black History Month.

Marcus Garvey

2011-02-15T09:43:00.000-05:00

Day 15 of Black History Month.

Zora Neale Hurston

2011-02-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

Day 14 of Black History Month.

Giant Steps (Take Two) Book Signing at BookCourt

2011-02-11T10:48:00.000-05:00

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20th – 11AM
BOOKCOURT 163 Court St. (bet Pacific and Dean)

Ida B. Wells Barnett

2011-02-11T10:36:00.000-05:00

Day eleven of Black History Month.

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

2011-02-10T16:04:00.002-05:00

Day ten of Black History Month.

Richard Allen

2011-02-09T10:06:00.000-05:00

Day nine of Black History Month.

Malcolm X

2011-02-08T10:42:00.000-05:00

Day eight of Black History Month.

Thurgood Marshall

2011-02-07T11:19:00.001-05:00

Day seven of Black History Month.

Melba Patillo Beals-school integration

2011-02-04T11:04:00.001-05:00

Day four of Black History Month.

Phillis Wheatley

2011-02-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

Day three of Black History Month.

George Washington Carver

2011-02-02T13:22:00.000-05:00

Day two of Black History Month.

Langston Hughes

2011-02-01T15:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Black History Month. Today is Langston Hughes' birthday, nice way to start.

Spike, Tonya, Giant Steps, 20* below and the Jets

2011-01-23T23:28:00.002-05:00

The cold didn't keep people away. We had a great turn out at PowerHouse Arena. Thanks to all that came and to Powerhouse for hosting a great event... too bad the Jets weren't able to pull through.

More pics here-
http://wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=477851&nbc1=1
and here-http://filmmagic.com/ItemListing.aspx?cgl=477717&EventI=0&navtyp=CAL&ym=20111

PowerHouse Arena - Jan. 23rd 3-4pm w/Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee

2011-01-18T10:11:00.001-05:00

Hope to see you!

TUNE IN TOMORROW - Jan. 12th

2011-01-11T16:24:00.002-05:00

Set your DVR!
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee authors of the new book that I illustrated, Giant Steps to Change the World, will be on both the Today show and The View tomorrow morning to talk about our book.

NBC’s TODAY SHOW at 8:51am
ABC's THE VIEW at 11am

The Book Maker's Dozen

2010-12-01T11:47:00.008-05:00

Ever wonder what children's book illustrators have to say about their work and the industry? How do they get work? How long does it take to finish a book? Come out, sip wine, and hear not one or two, but thirteen illustrators discuss their work and answer your questions.

Panel discussion will be moderated by illustrator/author John Bemelmans Marciano.

The Book Maker's Dozen: Sean Qualls, Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, Brian Floca, John Rocco, Aileen Leijten, Peter Brown, Dan Yaccarino, Brett Helquist, Sergio Ruzzier, Boris Kulikov, David Gordon, and John Bemelmans Marciano

*Oh, and did I mention books and limited edition prints from the book makers will also be for sale.

Hosted by PowerHouse Arena
Map & Directions

Thursday, Dec. 2nd 7-9pm
Powerhouse Arena (DUMBO)
37 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-666-3049

Hope to see you!

At the Brooklyn Museum

2010-11-12T17:12:00.004-05:00

Looking for something to do this Saturday? I'll be signing books at the Brooklyn Museum alongside a plethora of other Brooklyn illustrators and authors. Hope to see you!

A Meeting w/ Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee! Giant Steps to Change the World!

2010-11-12T09:53:00.007-05:00

Ever since I moved to Brooklyn, I've always wanted to meet Spike Lee...Now it's finally happened!!! Spike and his wife Tonya Lewis Lee wrote an outstanding children's book that they asked me to illustrate! And here's the video of them chatting about it. Look for it in Jan. 2011! View on Youtube

Skit-Scat and all that Jazz - ELLA!!!

2010-10-15T01:15:00.041-04:00

SKIT-SCAT RAGGEDY CAT: ELLA FITZGERALD, my latest book, has received two starred reviews!!!

Written by Roxane Orgill, the book focuses on Ella's early life in Yonkers, where she would dance in the street to earn money. After her mother dies she and her younger sister go to live with their aunt in Harlem.

Young Ella had a tough time living with her aunt. She began singing on the streets again as she did in Yonkers.

It was at the Apollo Theater's Amateur night where her true talent came through. Too nervous to dance, she sang instead and thus, a star was born.

Publisher's Weekly calls it "An unforgettable portrait of an artist whose faith in herself carried her when little else did."
And School Library Journal says "Qualls firmly establishes himself as a leading illustrator of jazz biographies for children. He uses rich reds and blues to illustrate the history of this quintessentially American art form."

My earliest memories of Ella was this tv commercial she did for memorex.

Brooklyn Illustrators @ Brooklyn Public Library - Drawn in Brooklyn

2010-09-17T16:23:00.011-04:00

Just got back from installing part of an exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library. The show will feature work from thirty-some Brooklyn children's book illustrators and go from Sept. 21st 2010 to Jan. 23rd 2011. See full details on flyer below.

2010-08-25T14:24:00.007-04:00

The ubiquitous and hardworking Dan Santat asked me to participate in an auction to support 826LA. He also asked a whole bunch of other picture book illustrators like Mo Willems, Calef Brown, Matt Phelan, and Selina Alko. The idea was to create a piece of art inspired by his new book OH NO!
All of the work will be on display at the Nucleus Gallery.
As with his other projects, Dan created a promotional video for it (view here.)
He even got the Huffington Post to blog about it.There's an online auction where you can bid on my piece or work by other artists at very affordable prices. Auction here.
But act soon because this auction ends this Friday at 12pm EST. In addition, the winner also will receive a copy of the book...not too shabby.

GIANT ROBOT - small favors

2010-03-25T16:05:00.014-04:00

Small Favors is a group show hosted by GIANT ROBOT that focuses on small/affordable art. I will have 2 pieces in the show - "Star Power" and "Inside Out." Both pieces are 5"x5". The show opens this Saturday. More info below. Click here to preview more of the art. Other artist include Selina Alko, Jordin Isip, Deth P. Sun, Rodger Stevens, Ric Stultz and Gary Taxali.
Giant Robot Gallery
437 East 9th Street
Between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, in the East Village
New York, New York 10009
(212) 674-GRNY (4769) | grny.net

Reception: Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

March 27, 2010 - April 14, 2010

Little Cloud and Lady Wind by Toni Morrison/Slade Morrison

2010-01-25T22:28:00.020-05:00

Today is the official pub date for the latest book that I've illustrated - LITTLE CLOUD & LADY WIND written by Toni Morrison and her son Slade. I'm so honored to be part of this project w/ one of my literary heroes and one of the giants of literature! Order a copy from your favorite bookstore.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2009-12-15T23:30:00.002-05:00

Qualls Christmas 1969.

Book Fair @ The Brooklyn Museum

2009-11-20T18:34:00.002-05:00

Looking for something to do this Saturday? I'll be taking part in this book fair at the Brooklyn Museum from 12-4pm. Start your holiday shopping early!

SQ + IQ Collaborations

2009-11-18T12:43:00.010-05:00

My four year old son Isaiah and I collaborate on projects from time to time. For awhile, he was really interested in princess stories...so we created our own. Here's the cover and a few pages. My wife Selina, helped out as well. In addition to being the co-illustrator, Isaiah is the author.

Despite my attempts to control the process, Isaiah does whatever he wants with the art.

Often times, I am happily surprised by his choices. Selina drew the giant.

WHO WILL I BE, LORD?

2009-11-05T10:07:00.007-05:00

Jules at 7 Imp has done a feature for my new book WHO WILL I BE, LORD? Check it out here . Also, art from the book was included in the Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators. The show will be up through Nov. 25th.

Ghouls and Gourds 2009 - Brooklyn Botanic Gardens - Sunday Oct. 25th

2009-10-24T22:39:00.005-04:00

If you're looking for something to do on a warm, sunny (fingers crossed) Sunday afternoon in Bklyn, I will be signing books along with 20 other authors and illustrators including Selina Alko, Gregory Christie, Paul Dubois Jacobs, Jennifer Swender, Peter Brown, David Ezra Stein, Javaka Steptoe, Deborah Gregory, Johan Olander, Shana Corey, Nina Crews, Zetta Elliott and others. In addition, there will live music, storytelling, and an awesome parade. Should be fun! Stop by and say hello. http://www.bbg.org/vis2/2009/ghoulsandgourds/

Laurie Berkner video

2009-10-08T15:23:00.001-04:00

I did painted backgrounds for this Laurie Berkner video featured on Nick Jr.

Dime Bag - Please Vote!!!

2009-06-29T14:09:00.009-04:00

I've been asked to participate in Dime Bag 3, a group show of 200 artists. The idea is that each artist gets a 3"x 3" zip lock dime bag to fill with art. The art will be hung side by side in a grid-like fashion. The show will be on display at Giant Robot NYC. Anyway, I have two pieces but will only put one in the exhibit and want to solicit your opinion as to which one I should use. Here they are. You can let me know in the comments area which you prefer. Just for clarity, the top one is #1 and the bottom is #2. Thanks in advance!

Here's a pic of a Dime Bag show from 2002.

New Interview

2009-04-21T10:41:00.002-04:00

Jules of 7Imp has just posted a new interview with me. Its a good place to catch a glimpse of my studio, sketches, and some new work for upcoming projects.

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1653

Thanks for looking!

Opening this Sunday at Hootenanny Art House.

2009-03-26T14:01:00.007-04:00

Will have my first show alongside the lovely and talented Selina Alko. We'll both have prints and originals on the walls for sale along with our books. Hootenanny Art House
is a space that has music, art and dance classes for kids so bring your youngster and have a drink or two. Details on the image above!

Good News from the Coretta Scott King Award Committee!

2009-02-12T18:48:00.013-05:00

Okay, I admit, it's been a while since my last update, Oct. '08 in fact, but rest assured my pencils and paintbrushes have not been resting on their laurels! I recently finished a project for Random House, Who Will I Be, Lord ?, set for an Oct. '09 pub date. It's a little different than most of my previous books, but more about it later. I'm also busy working on a couple other projects that will appear on bookshelves in 2010. But the real "giant" (hint, hint) news that I'm happy to report, is that I received the Coretta Scott King Award Honor for Before John Was A Giant! The call came early Monday morning Jan. 26th and I'm a little embarrassed to say that I was still in bed when a very enthusiastic Coretta Scott King Award committee announced the news over the phone.

Oh no, maybe I'm still sleeping and this is all a dream...The Coretta Scott King Award was given to Floyd Cooper for The Blacker The Berry. Kadir Nelson: We Are the Ship and Jerry Pinkney: The Moon Over Star were also given honors and Shadra Strickland won the John Steptoe New Talent Award for Bird. I'm so honored to be included with such talented people! The video for the announcements can be seen here - awards video. And if you're interested, here's a video of the ALA Committees calling the various award winners. View award calls here. - pretty cool.
In addition, Before John Was a Jazz Giant was also named an ALA Notable book for 2009.

Nobody's Family Is Going To Change

2009-02-12T15:11:00.024-05:00

Barbara Grzeslo the designer of The Baby On The Way, my first picture book, recently asked me to illustrate the cover of Louise Fitzhugh's Nobody's Family Is Going To Change, a book that was written in the early 70's that the publisher wanted to give a fresh look to.Fitzhugh is most well known as the author of Harriet the Spy. If you're a fan of This American Life like I am, there's a really good episode based on the idea behind the book. Here's what they have to say about it. "On the surface, it sounds like a rather menacing title for a kids' book. But in fact, the story is about how kids can finally find peace if they stop hoping that their parents will ever be any different. The question is, though: is it true? Does anyone's family ever change?"
These are a few different versions of the sketch that was chosen for the cover as well as an early version of the final art.My sketches start with really rough thumbnails like the one above.

Once elements are established in the drawing I photocopy the sketch and make refinements to the photocopy with pencil and paint.

I usually make more than one copy so I can try different things and compare.

The publisher was worried that the art would be too blue so they asked me to give dimension to the buildings in the background as a way of getting rid of some of the blue.

And the final.

Original Art Show 2008

2008-10-13T15:54:00.004-04:00

The Society Of Illustrators Original Art show opens this Thursday. The annual show highlights original art from children's books published within the year. I'm happy to have work from BEFORE JOHN WAS A JAZZ GIANT and PHILLIS'S BIG TEST in the show.
The work will be on exhibit along with art from over a hundred other books through November 26th.

Panorama Project 3-A Group Show curated by Jordin Isip and Rodger Stevens

2008-09-04T11:32:00.006-04:00

I'll have a piece in this show.
Sep 6 thru Oct 4, 2008
Opening reception - Saturday, September 6th, 7pm-9pm
Jonathan LeVine Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 9th fl
New York, NY

7th Heaven - Park Slope this Sunday

2008-06-10T22:33:00.009-04:00

I'll be signing books, selling prints and originals this Sunday at the 7th Ave Street Fair - Seventh Heaven - June 15th (10am-6pm).

I'll be set up between 9th and 10th streets. Come by and get a copy of Phillis's Big Test or Before John Was A Jazz Giant.
These photos are from last year's 7th Heaven.

Cab Calloway!

2008-06-04T17:32:00.006-04:00

Baltimore Magazine just commissioned me to do a portrait of Cab Calloway the jazz singer/big band leader. I've included a detail and the sketch below.

Reviews For BEFORE JOHN WAS A JAZZ GIANT

2008-05-03T22:23:00.007-04:00

All apologies to those who come here looking for up to date information regarding my work. Professionally, there is not a lot to report and I'll try to put it all in this one post since I have not posted a thing in over two months.
There is an in depth review of BEFORE JOHN WAS A JAZZ GIANT by Ms. Betsy Bird. You can read it here. Her review was so thorough and insightful that I think even I learned something. Reviews are really fascinating to me and I do read them because they can provide useful and objective insight into one's work albeit sometimes painful.

I also did an interview with Betsy here.BEFORE JOHN WAS A JAZZ GIANT was also chosen as a Bank St. College Committee pick for the month of April and a Newsweek pick of the week.

More Reviews and Interviews!

2008-02-13T15:40:00.004-05:00

Elaine Magliaro from Wild Rose Reader has a review of Dizzy on her blog. Check it out - Wild Rose Reader Blog. Also, she reviews Ella Fitzgerald - Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea and Brian Pinkney.

Thanks Elaine!

Read an interview with Jonah Winter, author of Dizzy, Frida, Diego, and Secret World of Hildegard!
Interview.

Interview at The Brown Bookshelf!

2008-02-05T09:50:00.000-05:00

I did an interview with illustrator/author Don Tate for The Brown Bookshelf. In celebration of Black History Month they've interviewed authors and illustrators and posted them on their website. Each day features a new interview. Here's a partial list of other authors and illustrators interviewed: Karen English (author of THE BABY ON THE WAY), Carole Boston Weatherford (author of BEFORE JOHN WAS A JAZZ GIANT), Nina Crews, Tonya Bolden and Shane Evans. Many thanks to Don Tate and The Brown Bookshelf!

The interview is here.

Jazz Giant Review!

2008-01-30T09:59:00.002-05:00

Jules from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast has a nice review of Before John was a Jazz Giant and a couple of other new picture book biographies here. Thanks Jules!

Poet Slave of Cuba Wins the Pura Belpre Award at ALA!

2008-01-21T12:29:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit late getting around to announcing this but if you don't already know about two weeks ago the ALA announced its annual award winners and Poet Slave of Cuba was among them. Poet Slave won the Pura Belpre Award for writing. Here's a quote from the ALA website about the award - "The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth." While the award acknowledges the book as a whole it is really for the author Margarita Engle. Congrats Margarita!
You can see a list of all of the award winners here.
Congrats to everyone including friends Mo Willems, Gregory Christie, and Brian Selznick.

The Little Rock Nine for READ Magazine

2007-12-13T10:35:00.001-05:00

These are two of four illustrations that I recently did for READ Magazine. The story, "Warriors Don't Cry", is about Melba Patillo - one of the Little Rock Nine - a group of African-American students that were intigrated into the all-white Little Rock High School in 1957.

Brooklyn Museum Signing

2007-12-03T10:55:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot to mention that I will be signing copies of Dizzy, How We Are Smart, and The Poet Slave of Cuba today at The Brooklyn Museum's for their member's Holiday Sale inside the gift shop from 3-5:30pm. If you're a member drop by.

Robert's Snow: Cancer Cure Online Fundraiser!

2007-12-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

Chances are that you are already aware of the Robert's Snow: for Cancer Cure Fundraiser. If you don't here's the deal. It's unique way to acquire original art from some of your favorite children's book illustrators and authors while helping to fight cancer. Grace Lin created the fundraiser after writing the book Robert's Snow which was inspired by her husband Robert's battle with Ewing's sarcoma. Selina and I are proud to have each contributed a snowflake for the fundraiser this year. Above is Selina's snowflake and mine can be found lower on the page under Snowflakes and Postcards. The third installment of the auction will begin this Monday December 3rd and ends Friday December 7th 5pm.The snowflakes can be seen here. In addition to our snowflakes you can also bid on snowflakes from some of our friends and other fellow illustrators:
Grace Lin, Mo Willems, Peter Brown, Meghan McCarthy, Jarrett Krosoczka, Dan Santat, Rebecca Doughty, Matt Phelan,Ashley Bryan, Rebecca Guay, Carin Berger, Kelly Murphy, Mark Teague and lots more.

Take a look and hopefully place a bid too!

New book! Before John Was a Jazz Giant

2007-11-27T00:34:00.000-05:00

I just received the f&g's (folds and gathers) for another book I finished work on earlier this year. The book was written by the award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford including the Caldecott Honor/ Coretta Scott King award book Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.

This is my second book with Henry Holt and with editor, Reka Simenson. They also published Poet Slave.

Stay Tuned!

Prints!

2007-11-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

I have new prints available for sale at my website. Check it out! All prints are hi-quality giclees printed on 300lb watercolor paper and ready to be framed. Most orders ship within 2 weeks. Get your holiday gifts now!

Booklist! Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: 2007

2007-11-02T12:08:00.000-04:00

Just when I was thinking Dizzy was old news I receive an email from a former teacher Monica Wellington telling me that Booklist has chosen Dizzy as one of it's Top 10 Arts Books for 2007.
Check it out! Here are a few images from the book.

Snowflakes and Postcards!

2007-10-30T13:51:00.000-04:00

I just received news that Cheryl Klein from Scholastic wrote about the snowflake that I created for Robert's Snow on her blog.

Thank you Cheryl!

She recounts how she first found my work and brought it to the attention of Arthur Levine, publisher of Arthur A. Levine Books and editor of Dizzy.

Cheryl also wrote about Selina's snowflake on her blog.

Here are the two images that I had printed on postcards that Cheryl refers to in her blog.

This image is of Lauryn Hill. It also got me the contract to illustrate Powerful Words. At the time I used mostly gouache and tempera.

This image was inspired by the story of the Little Prince. It was painted mostly in oils.

Painted Pumpkins!

2007-10-30T13:35:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween! Isaiah and I had fun painting these guys. Isaiah mostly did the drips. Have fun!

Ghouls and Gourds - Brooklyn Botanic Garden Recap

2007-10-30T12:24:00.000-04:00

Sunday was a beuatiful day, a bit windy and later it got cold, but I had fun meeting people and signing copies of Dizzy
and How We Are Smart. Here's me trying to reaarange my postcards and prints after a gust of wind. My son Isaiah, dressed as a dinosaur, is sacked out in the stroller next to me while his best friend Chloe (the lion) is behind me on the right.
This is Isaiah with another one of his best friends Natalia, daughter of Paul Dubois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender
who are also the authors of My Taxi Ride and My Subway Ride illustrated by Selina. Natalia is Truly Scrumptious dressed up as a doll from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Ghouls and Gourds - Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oct. 28th 12-6pm

2007-10-24T12:39:00.000-04:00

I'll be taking part in this Halloween event hosted by the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens this Sunday. Come out and get a signed copy of Dizzy or How We Are Smart. I will also have limited editions prints for sale as well as lots of free postcards. Also, appearing will be some of my other favorite Brooklyn children's book illustrators and authors:

R. Gregory Christie website Illustrator of Deaf Musicians · Keep Climbing Girls · Yesterday I had the Blues · Jazz Baby
Keith DuQuette websiteAuthor and Illustrator of Little Monkey Lost · Cock-A-Doodle Moooo!: A Mixed-Up Menagerie · They Call Me Woolly: What Animal Names Can Tell Us
Paul Jacobs & Jennifer Swender websiteAuthors of My Subway Ride · Aibyoyo Returns · Deaf Musicians
Johan Olander websiteAuthor and Illustrator of A Field Guide to Monsters: Googly-Eyed Wart Floppers, Shadow Casters, Toe Eaters, and Other Creatures

Besides us illustrator and authors there will be workshops on making recycled instruments from junk, live music including Slavic Soul Party and Audra Rox and much more fun for the whole family. Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website for more info. http://www.bbg.org/vis2/2007/ghoulsandgourds/

New Book - Phillis's Big Test

2007-10-18T10:00:00.000-04:00

This is a book that I finished illustrations for this Summer. The book is set to come out in March 2008. It's about the poet Phillis Wheatley. She was one of the first published African American poets. Because she was young and a slave, people questioned the authenticity of her work and she was asked to present her poems before a group of scholars. Catherine Clinton is the author. Houghton Mifflin is the publisher.
This was a nice oppurtunity to illustrate a story about a young woman which up to this point I had not and Phillis Wheatley was very fun to draw.I was also drawn to the story because most of it takes place while she is on the way to her exam. It reminded me of growing up and taking long walks to and from school. I loved walking through my home town. One of the amazing things was that one could walk for 30 minutes or more and barely see another person before reaching their destination. I imagined Phillis's walk to be something like this.

Americas Award

2007-10-16T11:10:00.000-04:00

I was in DC this past weekend to recieve the Americas Award for my illustrations in Poet Slave Of Cuba along with the author Margarita Engle. The award ceremony took place in The Library of Congress. Margarita was very appreciative and grateful to receive the original cover art as a gift from me and it was a pleasure for me to finally meet her. The book is listed for middle readers but is also an excellent read for adults. An award was also given to Jennifer Riesmeyer Elvgren and Nicole Tadgell for their book Josias, Hold the Book.

Here are a few more images from Poet Slave.

I finished work for the book in Sept/ Oct. 2006. Around the same time I finished art for Dizzy and How We Are Smart.

The book was fun to work on because no photos of Juan Francisco Manzano exist and the art was to be suggestive and poetic rather than narrative.