Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson
Award Winning Artist and Children's Illustrator
Biographical Sketch
Kadir Nelson was born May 15, 1974 in Washington, D.C. At the young age of 3, Nelson showed a penchant for art, and apprenticed under his Uncle, a local artist and art teacher, when he was 11. His talent took him via scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.Following graduation, Nelson received commissions for work from such prominent companies as Dreamworks, the Coca-Cola Company, and Major League Baseball Nelson's illustration of children's books began in 2008, when he was asked by his editor to illustrate Jerdine Nolen's Big Jabe (Scholastic, n.d.). In 2014, Nelson's portrait of the late South African President, Nelson Mandela was featured on the cover of the New Yorker. This was followed with additional covers for the New Yorker, as well as artwork for musical artists, Michael Jackson and Drake (Nelson, n.d.). Currently Nelson resides in Los Angeles, California (Scholastic, n.d.).
Kadir Nelson, Growing Up
Throughout his entire school career, Kadir was not a procrastinator. He recalls how many of his friends would wait until last minute to turn in an assignment. This was simply not his style, and the result was that a number of teachers and professors trusted him. It was during college that many art professors passed along his name to prominent potential employers, and he credits his work ethic with their willingness to recommend him (Reading Rockets, n.d.)
As a young child, Kadir was taught visualization skills by his mother. This included the belief or feeling that he "could conquer the world." He spent a lot of time as a high schooler visualizing his future success (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
Kadir Nelson, The Student
As a college student, Kadir initially enrolled in an architecture program, as he had heard so many students complain about the unwillingness for professors to assist the students in developing their creativity. It was a fellow student, Joe Davis, who convinced Nelson to change his major. Davis' work was decidedly original and at Nelson's surprise this individuality was accepted, Davis told him it was not only accepted but encouraged. Nelson changed his major the following day (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
Kadir Nelson, On Success
Nelson credits being in the right place at the right time with much of his success. He is quite to point out that he did not go looking for famous actors to acknowledge his work. It was during his employment at Dreamworks, when he was noticed by Debbie Allen. From there, actors such as Denzel Washington and Spike Lee found interest in his work and commissioned him for paintings. Interviews with Nelson indicate a humility, his shy manner and soft voice almost equate embarrasment for the attention he has received (Reading Rockets, n.d.)
Kadir Nelson, a Photo-Realistic African American Experience
Photorealism, from Dictionary.com
1. Detailed and unidealized representation in art, especially of banal, mundane, or sordid aspects of life.
2. Detailed visual representation, like that obtained in a photograph, in a non-photographic medium such as animation or computer graphics.
Nelson easily captures both definitions of photorealism in his work. This is done in part, because of his desire to document through illustration, the true African-American experience. This means at times his artwork is dark in theme, especially when documenting the horrors of slavery. It is important to Nelson that the truth be told, but in a way his young audience will understanding (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
My first experience with Nelson was during a "reading" I did for a job interview back in 2013. Years later, when I came across the same book, I remember starting at the photos in awe of what he created. Were these portraits? Manipulated photographs? Nelson's eye makes even the most normal activities, such as giving a puppy a bath, feel as if he captured an intimate moment with his camera. I believe this is why Nelson's illustrations are enjoyed by both adults and children alike. Children can easily connect with the pictures, while adults connect on an even deeper level with the story.
Kadir Nelson, Growing Up
Throughout his entire school career, Kadir was not a procrastinator. He recalls how many of his friends would wait until last minute to turn in an assignment. This was simply not his style, and the result was that a number of teachers and professors trusted him. It was during college that many art professors passed along his name to prominent potential employers, and he credits his work ethic with their willingness to recommend him (Reading Rockets, n.d.)
As a young child, Kadir was taught visualization skills by his mother. This included the belief or feeling that he "could conquer the world." He spent a lot of time as a high schooler visualizing his future success (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
Kadir Nelson, The Student
As a college student, Kadir initially enrolled in an architecture program, as he had heard so many students complain about the unwillingness for professors to assist the students in developing their creativity. It was a fellow student, Joe Davis, who convinced Nelson to change his major. Davis' work was decidedly original and at Nelson's surprise this individuality was accepted, Davis told him it was not only accepted but encouraged. Nelson changed his major the following day (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
Kadir Nelson, On Success
Nelson credits being in the right place at the right time with much of his success. He is quite to point out that he did not go looking for famous actors to acknowledge his work. It was during his employment at Dreamworks, when he was noticed by Debbie Allen. From there, actors such as Denzel Washington and Spike Lee found interest in his work and commissioned him for paintings. Interviews with Nelson indicate a humility, his shy manner and soft voice almost equate embarrasment for the attention he has received (Reading Rockets, n.d.)
Kadir Nelson, a Photo-Realistic African American Experience
Photorealism, from Dictionary.com
1. Detailed and unidealized representation in art, especially of banal, mundane, or sordid aspects of life.
2. Detailed visual representation, like that obtained in a photograph, in a non-photographic medium such as animation or computer graphics.
Nelson easily captures both definitions of photorealism in his work. This is done in part, because of his desire to document through illustration, the true African-American experience. This means at times his artwork is dark in theme, especially when documenting the horrors of slavery. It is important to Nelson that the truth be told, but in a way his young audience will understanding (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
My first experience with Nelson was during a "reading" I did for a job interview back in 2013. Years later, when I came across the same book, I remember starting at the photos in awe of what he created. Were these portraits? Manipulated photographs? Nelson's eye makes even the most normal activities, such as giving a puppy a bath, feel as if he captured an intimate moment with his camera. I believe this is why Nelson's illustrations are enjoyed by both adults and children alike. Children can easily connect with the pictures, while adults connect on an even deeper level with the story.
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| Nelson in his home studio, courtesy of David Walter Banks Kadir Nelson Website |
(Google, n.d.)
~2002~
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work
Will Smith (author) & Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
~2005~
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators
Notzake Shange (author) & Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
~2007~
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators
&
Caldecott Honor
Carole Boston Weatherford (author) & Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
~2008~
Caldecott Honor
Ellen Levine (author) & Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
~2009~
Sibert Award
&
Coretta Scott King Award for Authors
Kadir Nelson (author/illustrator)
~2014~
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work
Kadir Nelson (author/illustrator)
Stamp Created by Nelson for the U.S. Postal Service in 2010
Courtesy of Complex
5 Recommended Books by The Rockstar Librarian
All images provided by Amazon.
Lee, S. & Lee, T.L. (2007). Please, baby, please. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
The faces of an energetic young child come to life at the courtesy of Nelson's bright and fun illustrations. All parents can relate to the joys and frustrations of the ever-moving toddler. Young children can see reflections of their own behavior in this sweet book written by Tonya and Spike Lee, which echoes of their former work, Please, Puppy, Please, also illustrated by Nelson.
32 pages. Recommended for Grades PreK-2
Naberhaus, S. (2017). Blue sky, white stars. New York, NY: Dial Books
Nelson's illustrations set at the forefront of this stirring picture book in a tribute to the American flag. Individuals of all races, creeds, colors, and religions play homage to the strength found in American diversity from Ellis Island to Cape Canaveral.
40 p. Recommended for All Ages.
Napoli, D.J. (2010). Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the trees of Kenya. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
This informational picture book tells the story of the birth of the African organization, the Green Belt Movement. A group that works to end deforestation, the Green Belt Movement, and their founder Mama Miti have effectively reforested some of the most destroyed areas of Kenya. Nelson links African colors and art reminiscent of the native tribes of Kenya.
40 p. Grades K-2.
Nelson, K. (2015). If you plant a seed. New York, NY: Balzer and Bray
The hard work between a rabbit and mouse bears fruit, but they refuse to share with their feathered friends. This results in a "food fight" among all the animals, and when all is said and done, there are no tomatoes and a very big mess. The mouse chooses to "sew kindness" by offering up a remaining tomato to the bird, who can then repay the favor by peppering the ground with the seeds.
32 p. Recommended for Grades PreK-2
Nolen, J. (2013). Hewitt Anderson's great big life. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster
In Hewitt's family, BIGGER IS BEST. Unfortuately, this is not true for Hewitt, who happens to be small enough to sit in his mother's hand. Life is a struggle for Hewitt, but his size and quick thinking results in a close save for Hewitt's parents, when they become trapped inside a locked room. The photo-realistic illustrations are similar to Nelson's previous books, Please, Puppy, Please and Please, Baby, Please. This book is a must for anyone struggling with differences!
40 p. Recommended for Grades K-3.
Resources
A website hosted by the artist, it features updated news and the ability to purchase art direct.
A brief biography of Kadir Nelson provided by Scholastic Books.
A brief biography provided by Central Rappahanock Regional Library
A spotlight on Kadir Nelson provided by CBS Sunday Morning (5:00)
An interview with the artist provided by AdLit.org (12:04)
Provided by Scholastic, Kadir Nelson reads from Testing the Ice: A True Story of Jackie Robinson. Nelson illustrated this story which was written by Jackie's daughter, Sharon Robinson. (3:04)
Kadir Nelson speaks at the 2013 National Book Festival. The National Book Festival is a yearly event held in September and sponsored by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. (28:03)
Quote and Picture provided courtesy of AZ Quotes
Additional Resources for Blog Creation
Google. (n.d.) Kadir Nelson-awards [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=kadir+nelson+awards+and+honors&oq=kadir+nelson+awar&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0l3.2902j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Scholastic. (n.d.). Kadir Nelson [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/kadir-nelson/
Nelson, K. (n.d.) The art of Kadir Nelson, the artist: About [Website]. Retrieved from http://www.kadirnelson.com/about
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Transcript from an interview with Kadir Nelson [Website]. Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/nelson/transcript
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