Hey if you’re in the Bay Area on May 9th and you’d like to support an organization that puts literacy first for Bay Area youth come check out “Building on Books”. This will be a fundraiser for Tandem’s work giving away books to families and educators, traning for those who work with kids, and so much more. this event will feature food, drinks, activities, and a talk by Tiffany Golden, Darshana Khiani, and myself.
This is a really inspiring documentary about “READING RAINBOW” featuring the creators of the incredible show that touched so many of us as youngins. PLEASE watch it, rent it, go see it in theaters, share it. It’s all about spreading the love of reading and learning. #readingrainbow #Documentary #ButterflyInTheSky
Dig this? Check out my last art print “I’m a Reader”
I started working on this one several months ago and just finally added the type to it today. You can go to my shop to purchase a print HERE.
Storytime: I was recently at the library with my daughter when I young boy came up to say hello and ask If I illustrated kids books. I told him I did and spoke to him about a fellow artist he should check out as I didn’t have any materials on me to show him. One of the librarians told me he was bored and I went to get him a copy of Jerry Craft’s graphic novel “New Kid” which is excellent. He smiled. But later he came back to me and my daughter and gave the book back (even after the same librarian also recommended it). I asked if he didn’t like this type of book? If he’d be interested in another?
"Nah, I just don't like reading." he responded. To which, I said "Graphic novels, or books in general?" "In general" he responded.And yall, my heart sank a little bit because I was this kid. I was him. I hated reading. I prefereed listening to hip hop, playing outside, or watching tv. All good things, but I just feel that we gotta help our children develop a level of literacy that is strong and passionate. Doesn’t mean they need to be come writers, but I do want them to read. Sigh. I didn’t have the time to sit with him because my 5 year old was pulling my attention. But I wondered. Could he read and just really didn’t fuck with it? Did he not know how and as a result decided it wasn’t for him? Or was there literally nothing in that library full of books that interested him specifically?
Anyways, it showed me there’s still a lot of work to be done…..
Dig this? Check out the last READ print in a series. This one of a welder/maker.
I discuss 13 books in the video including my own art book:
“The Art of Tekkenkinkreet / Black & White” – Shinji Kimura
“Supreme Glamour”- Mary Wilson
“The Art of Juanjo Guarnido” – Juanjo Guarnido
“Shelter in Place” – Avy Jetter
“Dinotopia” – James Gurney
“Painting The Streets-Oakland Uprising in the Time of Rebellion”- Nomadic Press
“Creations Vol. 1” – Derek Laufman
“Iguana Bay” – Claire Wendling
“Black Champions in Cycling” – Marlon Lee Moncrieffe
“Maestrapiece- San Francisco’s Monumental Feminist Mural” –Heyday Books
“Art of Rob” – Robert Liu-Trujillo
“Prince of Cats” – Ronald Wimberly
I remember hearing about Alvin Irby many years ago and loving his mission for Barbershop Books because he’s passionate about reading and you could tell he cares. In this episode of Lurie Daniels Favors radio show she interviews him about how he started, what drove him, and what advice he has for making readers out of your kids.
Yes y’all. This is a new art print for my READ series! I really dig how this turned out and hope you will too. The helmet is a reminder to dream, soar, and fly. This is the first in a new series of 4. There will be 8 in total.
Get a print here
I’ve done 4 of these already. If you haven’t seen them you can check the series out
and purchase the previous set here.
