Bryan Collier

Bryan Collier grew up in Pocomoke, Maryland, the youngest of six children. His interest in art was always encouraged and he developed a unique style of painting that incorporated both watercolors and collage. His first book, UPTOWN, published in 2000, received a Coretta Scott King (CSK) Illustrator Award, as well as an Ezra Jack Keats Award. The same year, FREEDOM RIVER, which he illustrated, received a CSK Illustrator Honor Award. He is the illustrator of MARTIN’S BIG WORDS, for which he received his first Caldecott Honor Award and a CSK Honor Award. He received his second Caldecott Honor Award in 2006, as well as another CSK Award, for ROSA, written by Nikki Giovanni. He is also a New York Times bestseller with BARACK OBAMA, written by Nikki Grimes, which reached the #1 spot in picture books during its 20 weeks on the list and received a 2009 NAACP Image Award for Best Children’s Book. For the New York Times bestseller DAVE THE POTTER, written by Laban Carrick Hill, Bryan received his third Caldecott Honor Award and his third CSK Award. I, TOO AM AMERICA by Langston Hughes received a PW starred review and Bryan’s fourth CSK Award. Another recent book, FIFTY CENTS AND A DREAM: YOUNG BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, written by Jabari Asim, received three starred reviews. KNOCK KNOCK, MY DAD’S DREAM FOR ME, written by Daniel Beaty, received Bryan’s fifth CSK Illustrator Award and a Horn Book Honor Award.  His most recent book, TROMBONE SHORTY, written by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, received a Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Bryan lives in New York State with his wife and three daughters.

www.bryancollier.com

Download a PDF of the artist’s samples here: WPA Collier art samples

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