Living the Dream

Reginald F. Lewis Museum Book Fair

Shadra — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:23:40 +0000

Yesterday I attended the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s first African American Book Fair! It was a fantastic event with a great turnout. I am hoping that the museum will continue the fair each year and bring in more and more booklovers! The highlight of my day was seeing book friends like James and Lesa Cline Ransome, Floyd Cooper, and Sharon G. Flake, and meeting Jerdine Nolen, author of Eliza’s Freedom Road. I loooooove her writing and was so excited to give her a print of the cover.

All set up and ready to go!

The fantastic Jordan Jones stopping by for a hug and a book!

Representing hard for Team Shadra

My niece and best friend showing some book love.

Jerdine Nolen holding a print from Eliza’s Freedom Road

Interviewed by one of Baltimore’s finest!

Thanks to all who came out to support the authors and illustrators. Hope to see you there next year!

Finish line

Shadra — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:04:32 +0000

It’s the end of the semester. I’m fried. My students are fried.
We’re all dragging ourselves across the finish line at this point.

It has been a great semester for us, but man, I can’t wait for things to settle down. If you have never talked to a graduating senior on a college campus in late April, it goes something like…

Me: “Hey (insert otherwise cheerful student’s name here). How is everything going?”

Student: “I am re-evaluating all of my life choices.

Me: “Don’t worry, it will all be okay (smile and repeat this a few more times).

Student: “Yeah, I guess.”

Me: . . . they’re so cute at this age.

In studio news, the work is steadily flowing. I have four paintings left in a huge project that has had a hold on my life for a while now. It’s the first time in a while that I have been really happy with my work and I can’t wait to share it with the world. In the meantime, here is a page from my sketchbook that will give you an idea of the fun and creativity that has been a brewing here on Sweet Air Street:

crayon, watercolor dyes, salt

I won’t be traveling to Sao Tome this summer which will give me an extra month to work here in my studio. Though sad I won’t be joining the group, it will be great to stay home and make art!

Living the Dream~

Reginald F. Lewis Museum African AMerican Children’s Book Festival

Shadra — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:56:23 +0000

1 – 4 p.m. Parents, educators and book lovers are invited to hear authors and illustrators discuss the power of multicultural stories. Children can enjoy bookmaking crafts and will receive free books (limited quantity).

Date and Time:

Saturday, May 4, 1:00 pm

Important Information:

Free program.
In conjunction with Defining Moments.

Contact Information:

For more information call 443-263-1800

Illustration in Sao Tome

Shadra — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:49:07 +0000

It’s that time of year again! Time to sign up for our annual trip to Sao Tome and Cape Verde! The deadline is quickly approaching so get those applications in fast! For more information click here! Tell a friend!!

…and it’s just January.

Shadra — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:16:42 +0000

We’re well into 2013 and all is moving (somewhat) smoothly. I spent my winter break here in Baltimore working which was a welcome break from my teaching schedule. I am halfway through a new project and am looking forward to clearing my head in a couple of months. I did take a few days to do little to nothing, mainly, watch the entire Battlestar Galactia series. Thanks Netflix! A few fun trips also happened in 2013. Around Christmas, I threw a small, old fashioned cookie party. Some of the gradate students that joined were from other countries and had never made cookies from scratch before. After gorging ourselves on cookies and egg nog, we took a quick drive over to 34 street to see the Hampden Festival of lights. What a treat.

Cookie art

I also took a trip to Kutztown, PA, for Jonathan Bean’s release party of his latest masterpiece, Building Our House. Jonathan set the stage for a magical evening with a lantern lit pathway set off by floating orbs of lights in the surrounding trees and a warm bonfire in the middle of the yard where we roasted marshmallows. Inside, guests were welcome to tour the rooms of the house and fill their bellies with homemade hot chocolate, spiced cider, sauerkraut, pretzels, and sloppy joes.

setting a magical stage

The Bean family (we missed you Emily!)

We were so lucky to share in this event with Jonathan and his family.

My dear talented friend, Zetta Elliott made it down for a great day trip last week. I love when my book friends come to visit because we always do something to make ourselves a little smarter and more interesting. We spent the morning sharing ideas and stories with Deb Taylor, from Enoch Pratt Library, and after a luxurious nap we headed over to The Walters Art Museum to see their latest exhibition, Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe. I also shared one of Baltimore’s gems, The Peabody Library. Afterwards, we met up with a friend for dinner and ended the night watching a fun movie.

Lastly, in book news, White Water was acquired by Scholastic’s book club! My copies arrived in the mail last week. The trim size was reduced to a cozy 8 x 10″, which gives it a more intimate feel. They also added a glossy cover, increasing the contrast and making the colors really pop.

So, we’re off to a decent start to 2013! I am ready to hit the ground running and get it all done.

Building Our House

Shadra — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:50:58 +0000

One of my dear art homies, Jonathan Bean is having a phenomenal book launch of his latest masterpiece, Building Our House. Join us this Saturday in Kutztown, PA, for a book signing and tour of the house that sparked a one-of-a-kind pitcturebook.

January 12, Firefly Bookstore, 3-5pm. 230 West Main St. Kutztown, PA 19530

Open House: January 12, Bean Homestead, 5pm-9pm. 201 Forgedale Rd. Fleetwood, PA 19522

Snow date: January 19

Benjamin Banneker Museum

Shadra — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:45:04 +0000

Last year I was approached by Willa Banks, the Educational Programs Coordinator at the Benjamin Banneker Museum, to create a program inspired by White Water to present to children in the Baltimore County School System. I am so excited to share the book and it’s message with students this February.

After an open discussion of the story and how we can all overcome obstacles in our lives, I will work with students to create visual maps and illustrations of themselves overcoming their own obstacles.

Lastly, a big congratulations goes out to Sairom Moon for her feature on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. So excited!

Sairom Moon at 7-Imp

B. B. Bright is a nominee

Shadra — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:37:48 +0000

Congratulations to Turner Publishing, Alice Randall, and Caroline Randall Williams for the NAACP Image Award nomination of “The Diary of B. B. Bright, Possible Princess”. Good luck everyone!

Happy Holidays~

Shadra — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 06:32:56 +0000

Have a wonderful holiday season~

“A Place Where Hurricanes Happen” Book Drive

Shadra — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:08:21 +0000

A Book Drive for Schools Affected by Hurricane Sandy

December 10th – December 21st

Help Us Donate Books to children coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Purchase a copy of “A Place Where Hurricanes Happen”
and Random House will match your donation.

How the Book Drive Works:
Step One:
Purchase a copy of A Place Where Hurricanes Happen at one of the following online bookstores

Amazon

Barnes & noble

Powell’s

Step Two
In the shipping section ship your book to:
The DreamYard Art Center
Attn: Book Drive
1085 Washington Avenue, Ground Floor
Bronx, NY 10456

Once your book is received at DreamYard and the book drive has ended, author Renée Watson and illustrator Shadra Strickland will donate a school visit and give the books to students and teachers.

We hope you consider sharing your love of books with others this holiday season.

THANK YOU!