I'm a little late posting the news about this here, but excited to share anyway! Every Body: A First Conversation about Bodies was released on May 9th! I am so happy to see this project out in the world. This is the fifth installment in the series, however I have only illustrated this one. The topic is very much needed to celebrate and educate about all body types for all ages and abilities. It's very inclusive and diverse and frank about the topic. Here are a few of my favorite spreads from the book: This is basically the full cast of characters from the book. I love the toddler girl in purple adjusting her sunglasses and the brother/sister duo holding hands, they remind me of my kids at that age. I enjoyed designing the swimsuits for each of the characters! This was a fun spread to create! I especially loved creating Daddy and daughter dancing. I don't think I've come across many children's books featuring Black fathers, so this was special to me. My favorite part of this spread was coming up with the concepts for the family photos. I scoured many personal family photos and vintage photos as references. I wanted to show many generations of connections, and I liked how it came out.
If you've purchased a copy, let me know in the comments below or through my contact page how you like it!
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Hello Friends! I'm so excited for the release of my first fully illustrated picture book, An Earth Song, a poem written by Langstone Hughes! The official release date is April 18, 2023. Hughes is one of my favorite poets, so this was a real treat to illustrate his words. This book has been favorite commissions to work on thus far. The team at Cameron Kids were so easy to work with. Here are a couple of my favorite spreads from the book: Here, my inspiration was Harlem, which is where Langston Hughes lived, he makes a cameo in this scene of the left. When I think of Harlem (I've never been), I imagined Brownstone housing and streets full of people, diverse people. My favorite little scenes include the two little girls on the right, one drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, the other curiously watching. The other is the sad little boy watching from the window. Makes you think, why is it he can't come out to play? This spread is inspired by Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. It features the installation piece, 'Thomas J. Price: Witness'. which is a statue of a young black man looking down at a cell phone. There is also another cameo of Langston Hughes as he watches children enjoying a beautiful spring day, but also as the poem suggests a long awaited time of freedom and equality. At least that's what I tried to reflect. The Red-winged blackbird featured here and other parts of the book was also important and relevant to New York, because seeing those birds are the first sign that spring is coming for the area.
An Earth Song, is available for pre-order! Please be sure to drop me a note and tell me what you think, when you get your copy! Last year, I created this image in honor of Pride month. I was so happy when it was licensed earlier this year by Buffalo Games to be used as a puzzle. I'm happy to see how this turned out! Puzzles have been on fire since the pandemic. I'm currently working on a puzzle project, can't share the details just yet. I'd love to do more, especially with some really cool imagery. I'm really into creating urban scenes from the 80's that celebrate the early days of hip-hop and break dancing in NYC. Drawing a lot of Kangol hats, addidas with bulky shoe laces, thick gold chains, and hip poses. Don't know if this will catch the interest of anyone in the puzzle world, but I'm having fun putting it together! Tell me in the comments some of your favorite puzzle subjects!
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