America experienced a significant awakening recently, with many citizens becoming aware of events like Juneteenth and the 1921 Tulsa Massacre for the first time. For those who had a "whitewashed" historical education, there is considerable ground to cover. Recognizing this need for growth and actively pursuing it is a positive step. It's crucial for organizations that support the creative arts to acknowledge the influential artists who have significantly impacted our perception of the world today.
When a new picture book is released, the illustrator often goes unnoticed. However, the pictures are essential to a picture book. These eleven Black illustrators are masters of their craft, using everything from soft watercolor brushstrokes and bold digital colors to expertly assembled paper collages. Let's celebrate these accomplished artists and the beautiful worlds they create between the covers of their books.
Historical Figures and Their Contributions
Several African American artists played pivotal roles during significant cultural movements and left lasting legacies.
Augusta Savage's sculpture "Gamin"
Augusta Savage
Augusta Savage was an artist, educator, activist, and community leader. Like many other artists on this list, Augusta Savage found community and success during the Harlem Renaissance in New York. Born in Florida during the Jim Crow era, Savage’s fundamentalist minister father opposed her interest in art. She pushed onward, enrolling in Cooper Union School of Art in NYC in 1921 and Académie de la Grande Chaumière from 1929 until 1931. She had a previous opportunity to study in Paris under a scholarship, but the American selection committee forbade it when they learned Savage was Black. She found success during her Paris years but - like many Americans - struggled financially when she moved back to New York City. In 1945, she moved upstate, writing children’s books and teaching classes to young artists.
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Charles Alston
Another prominent figure during the Harlem Renaissance, Charles Alston, is the first African American to teach at both the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Students League. He was also the first African American supervisor at the Works Progress Administration. In this role, he supervised the murals created at Harlem Hospital. In addition to painting, Alston was also a sculptor and cartoonist.
Beauford Delaney
Beauford Delaney started his career during the 1930s. He was a player during the Harlem Renaissance and an older brother to fellow artist John. Inspired by New York City’s streets and its jazz clubs, Delaney painted both representational and abstract works.
Beauford Delaney (Reloaded)
Henry Ossawa Tanner's "The Banjo Lesson" (1893)
Henry Ossawa Tanner
Born in Pittsburgh, Henry Ossawa Tanner moved to Paris in 1891 to study and spent the rest of his years in the city. Tanner was one of many Black Americans that took up the opportunity to move to Europe. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued 30 years earlier and racism was not as widespread in Europe as it was in America. Tanner created realist paintings, focusing much of his work on religious subject matter.
Ann Lowe
Ann Lowe is behind some of history’s most iconic fashion pieces, including the dress Jacqueline Bouvier wore when she married John F. Kennedy. Lowe had designing in her blood, born into a line of seamstresses - her grandmother a formerly enslaved dressmaker and her mother an embroiderer. Famous for floral motifs, her designs were considered desirable among the wealthy elite, however, Lowe was not appreciated the same way her art was. She faced extreme racism in the industry, being paid so much less than her white counterparts that she often did not make a profit on her designs.
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Marsha P. Johnson
While Marsha P. Johnson (the P stands for “pay it no mind”) is best known for her work in LGBTQ+ activism, she was also part of the drag group Hot Peaches. The drag theater company launched in 1970 and was known for its larger-than-life costumes and personalities that graced the stage.
Willi Ninja
Madonna made vogueing a household term, but it was Willi Ninja who helped launch this iconic drag ball dance style in the mainstream. Born William Roscoe Leake in 1961, Ninja is now best known as the Grandfather of Vogue. In 1982, Ninja founded House of Ninja, serving as house mother to a group of surrogate LGBTQ+ “children.” Ninja got positive attention for his role in the dance documentary, Paris is Burning.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Basquiat made a major impact on American art in his short life. Born in 1960 New York, Basquiat is of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. By 1964, he discovered his love and talent for art and in 1980, had his first public art exhibition. The show brought the emerging artist lots of positive attention, getting him exhibition opportunities throughout New York and internationally. Basquiat also got involved in music during his early twenties and served as a hip-hop producer on a friend’s album and a club DJ. By 1983, his work was shown at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Shortly after this, his infamous relationship with pop artist Andy Warhol developed and the two became collaborators. On Aug.
Contemporary Black Illustrators
Here's a look at some contemporary Black illustrators who are making significant contributions to the world of picture books and beyond:
- Mr. Cooper: I wanted to start this list by honoring this accomplished illustrator. Mr. Cooper passed away less than a year ago with a body of work comprising over 100 books. He was a champion for creating paintings that showcased African American history in his signature hazy style and muted brown palette.
- Dapo Adeola: Quirky, fun, rich, and bold - these words come to mind when I think of Adeola’s work. We love to read his Rocket Says series (Rocket Says Look Up! and Rocket Says Clean Up!) about an outspoken, science-loving girl. Hey You!, his latest work, is a collaboration of 19 Black illustrators in one book. While the story, an affirmation of growing up Black, is harmonious, each page has a unique illustration style.
- Vashti Harrison: Big heads, closed eyes, bright colors, and fun accessories… the distinct style of this New York Times bestselling illustrator is hard to miss. She’s the creator of the popular picture books, Happy Hair and Cool Cuts.
- Vanessa Brantley-Newton: I have yet to read a book illustrated or written by this multi-talented, self-taught artist I didn’t love. Her mixture of collage and drawing styles, vibrant colors, funky clothes, and bright-eyed characters make each Vanessa Brantley-Newton book a keepsake. She illustrates from her heart, and you can see it on each page.
- Ekua Holmes: Readers rarely know illustrators’ names, but a quick look at their body of work, and you realize you’ve seen their art everywhere. Ekua Holmes is a master at collage art, creating pictures with images, fabric, textures, and items.
- Tamisha Anthony: She swing dances, sings, adores vintage clothing, and educates other illustrators - Tamisha Anthony is multi-talented. Her various passions infuse her art with bold colors, round features, and plenty of movement.
- Jessica Gibson: Jessica Gibson says she wants every project she works on “to have a real sense of fun,” and she succeeds. Gibson takes her inspiration from her love of animals, nature, and picture books. She pumps her illustrations full of whimsical and expressive characters and soft color palettes.
- Andrea Pippins: From picture books and mugs to pens and journals, if Andrea Pippins draws it, I buy it. I have a small collection of her work. Her doodles, hand-drawn typography, and bold color choices make her digital art unique and refreshing.
- Daniel Minter: Caldecott honor artist Daniel Minter has illustrated 12 picture books and works in painting, sculpture, assemblage, and public art. His work is vivid, emotional, and sometimes haunting. Blue is a non-fiction picture book that explores the history of this significant color. Mae Makes a Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat & History Maker is a nod to the civil rights activist and fashion designer.
- April Harrison: I’ve just discovered this Nigerian American artist, and her first picture book is mesmerizing. Ebinama beautifully paints this lyrical story about a boy and his love affair with nature. The background watercolors are delicate and soft, so little Emile pops off the page. It’s gorgeous. Why Not You?
- Christian Robinson: No list of Black illustrators is complete without mentioning the incredible work of author and illustrator Christian Robinson. Robinson has brought many picture books to life using his unique, award-winning cut-paper collages. Also, he recently designed a line of kids’ clothes and home goods for Target.
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