Rise Up (original illustration from Black Boy Rise), 2024
Watercolor and Paper on canvas backer
16 x 40 in
(40.64 x 101.6 cm)
(1967- ) uses watercolor and collage to create his masterful illustrations. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Collier pursued a career in children’s illustration after feeling like the current children’s book market had no connection to him or his children. He decided to change that. While at Pratt, he was a volunteer at the Harlem Horizon Art Studio located within the Harlem Hospital Center. The center is open to the children of the hospital as well as the children of the community. He later became the Program Director, a position he held for twelve years. He continues to volunteer for the organization to this day. Collier has since received numerous awards for his writing and illustrations, including four Caldecott Honors, and nine Coretta Scott King Awards (three honors and six winners). His book, Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, published before Obama won the Democratic nomination for President, was the first picture book about the future President. He was the 2014 U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Early in his career, Collier also received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award.
