On Friday, I took my students to the Baltimore City Detention Center to draw and interview some of the inmates in Cell Block E. I am most grateful to Dr. Kevin McCamant for working all semester to help make this a reality for us. Dr. McCamant is a psychologist who works with MICA’s community arts … Read more
One of my dreams has been to use my location drawing/visual journalism work as final artwork. I lived that dream through Bird, and have taken it to another level by illustrating this year’s Baltimore Transmodern Festival poster. A lot of my most interesting projects find me serendipitously, including BIRD. This job was no exception. When … Read more
Congratulations also goes out to Jerdine Nolen for her nomination of ELIZA’S FREEDOM ROAD for an NAACP Image Award! A much deserved honor for a fantastic book!
What a year! I moved to a new city and completed my first semester as an illustration professor. I’ve met some wonderful new friends and even managed to make a bit of art. I wasn’t as productive as I hoped I’d be, but I learned a little more about myself and made some personal strides … Read more
Head on over to Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and have breakfast with me. There’s plenty of food and some art to boot! Thanks to Jules for pestering inviting me to share my work with her wonderful readers :-). Also, Baltimore City Paper is going to publish my students’ drawings from Occupy Baltimore! SO excited!
Great news! WHITE WATER is the winner of the 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio “Best Book” Award! Thank you to Joanne Oppenheim and her daughter Stephanie Oppenheim for reading and selecting WHITE WATER for an award this year!
Today is the earth shaking release of WHITE WATER! Run to your local bookseller and grab a copy! Check out a great review of WW from The Happy Nappy Bookseller, where she says: I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed White Water. Many times historical picture books are so focused on teaching, there’s … Read more
Have you seen the new book, WE ARE AMERICA, by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers? If not, run to your local bookstore and pick up a copy! It is a gorgeous tribute to our nation’s triumphs, it’s struggles, and all of the rich and varied people who make up our country. I am so … Read more
Wow, what a whirlwind! I was in Atlanta last week to run the Peachtree Roadrace (which I ended up sleeping through) and at “Words and Color: A Lifetime of Discovery”, to receive the Ashley Bryan Children’s Literature Award for Illustration!!! The award reads: “Contribution of Excellence to Preserve the Legacy of Ashley Bryan” The event … Read more
Another solid review of WHITE WATER. I am thrilled that the reviewer mentioned the mirroring that the black and white characters showed in the illustrations. Even as a child, racism was so odd to me because of just how similar we all are in our basic instincts and mannerisms as human beings. I hope that … Read more