Feeling artsy but not sure where to start? Check out these recently published picture book biographies about famous and lesser-known artists to get the inspiration you need to make your next masterpiece.
Filled with dreamy watercolor artwork, this nonfiction picture book explores Vincent van Gogh's journey of self discovery and community, by award-winning author-illustrator Zahra Marwan. While it is based on van Gogh’s real life, it also expresses…
Decades after the death of illustrator James Marshall, his characters—Miss Nelson, Viola Swamp, George and Martha, Goldilocks, Fox and His Friends—are still beloved, but in this book, Jim is the main character. Created in an irreverent style…
The year is 1912, and everything and everyone feels cloudy and dark in Paris. So painter Henri Matisse travels to Tangier, Morocco, hoping to find an abundance of light. But when he arrives, Tangier is suffering its rainiest winter in years! What…
This gorgeous picture book shows how Maud Lewis, the beloved folk artist known for her joyful landscapes, plants and animals, celebrated the beauty of the world around her, despite spending much of her life in poverty while suffering from rheumatoid…
Meet Jackie Ormes, the first Black female cartoonist in America, whose remarkable life and work continues to inspire countless artists today. Jackie created bold and witty cartoon characters, she entertained readers, she tackled racism, pollution,…
Read the untold story of Clara Driscoll, a nature lover with the mind of a creative innovator and the unsung genius who designed and engineered the iconic Tiffany lamp. Learn how she, while creating designs for Louis C. Tiffany’s stained-glass…
Young Ernie Barnes was bullied for being shy and overweight, but took refuge in his sketchbook. Then he joined the football team, working on his game and his craft until he was famous as both a professional athlete and as an artist. Read for the…
Celebrate the creative process of pioneering American abstract painter Joan Mitchell in this beautifully illustrated STEAM picture book, perfect for all kinds of young creators. This inspiring, poetic biography about the influential yet lesser-known…
Growing up, David used art to brighten his world. In the most ordinary things, whether a splash of water or the face of a friend, David always found something to love, uniquely capturing the vibrancy and life of his subjects. Lyrically written and…
Every superhero has their origin story: for Stan Lee, it was books of adventure, monsters, and magic that helped him transform from an ordinary boy to a superstar superhero creator. Still, writing wasn’t exciting when the heroes were always strong,…
In simple, poetic language, this powerful picture book tells the story of artist Agnes Martin and answers the question, “How do we love the whole world?” She lived a solitary life that not many understood, but inside her paintings of painstakingly…
Based on the true story of artist Elijah Pierce and his community barbershop, this picture book biography is a new offering on a hidden figure in Black art history. With engaging text, striking Japanese woodblock illustrations, cleverly collaged…
Yoko Ono has been called many things: Bold. Confrontational. Controversial. Artist. Musician. Witch. This stunning picture book biography told in lyrical, poignant prose tells the story of a singular soul: an artist, musician, and writer who has…
This quirky and clever picture book biography of Louise Bourgeois, one of the most important figures of modern and contemporary art, tells the inspiring story of her life, from when she was a young girl to becoming the first female sculptor to have…
From an acclaimed author and illustrator team, discover the unique childhood and life of the enigmatic and eccentric Edward Gorey, whose artwork and books had a profound impact on creators such as Neil Gaiman, Lemony Snicket, Tim Burton, and more.…
