Is there a part of your block that you especially love to explore? A place in your house or another country that holds a special memory? A far away spot you've heard about that excites your imagination? Children's Book Press asked fifteen exceptional fine artists to portray, in words and pictures, the places that are most special to them. On My Block is the remarkable result.
The places these artists have chosen to represent are moving, funny, and unexpected. Readers will soar from the rooftops of South Brooklyn to the deserts of Taos Pueblo, from a basement in San Francisco's Japantown to a Mississippi Gulf Coast porch. A garden in Mexico overflows with blossoms and birds while another in Tehran hums with the purring of thirty-two cats, and an empty lot in a bustling Havana neighborhood is transformed into a country farm.
On My Block is a celebration of community, an homage to neighborhoods everywhere, and an exploration of past and present. The fifteen paintings and stories within ask you to ponder the places that comprise your world. What's on your block, down your street, in another country, that makes up who you are?
Cecilia Álvarez lives, paints, and teaches in Seattle, Washington. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and featured in a range of publications, including the children’s book Antonio’s Card.
Carl Angel is an artist, illustrator, and graphic designer whose work has been exhibited throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. He has illustrated a number of children’s books, including Lakas and the Manilatown Fish.
Cbabi Bayoc is a fine artist and illustrator whose artwork reflects his love of music and family. His work can be found in galleries and homes around the world, and in the children’s book, Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Kim Cogan was born in Korea, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kim has exhibited his paintings nationwide to great acclaim and is also the illustrator of Cooper’s Lesson. He can be found in his studio or surfing off of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach.
Maya Christina Gonzalez grew up in the Mojave Desert. A fine artist whose work has been featured on the cover of Chicano/a Art, she also illustrated or contributed to over a dozen children’s books including the award-winning book, My Colors, My World.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Yasmin Hernandez is an award-winning painter and installation artist. In addition to creating artwork and lecturing, she is also an artist educator at El Museo del Barrio and the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Felicia Hoshino was born in San Francisco, California, where she still lives today. She is an artist and illustrator whose award-winning mixed-media work can be seen in magazines and children’s books like A Place Where Sunflowers Grow.
Sara Kahn has loved painting—and cats—since she was a little girl. She now lives in San Francisco with her husband and three cats. Her award-winning illustrations can be seen in children’s magazines and anthologies.
Conan Low is a proud cancer survivor and artist. He has worked on animated films and TV shows like Madagascar and the Emmy Award-winning Futurama, although he still prefers his favorite media: pencil, paint, and Legos. He lives in Northern California.
Joseph Pearson was born in Pearl River County, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He has been a full-time artist for nearly three decades. He lives with his wife in Alexandria, Louisiana, where they relocated after Hurricane Katrina.
Elaine Pedlar was born in Queens, New York, the youngest girl of seven children. Since graduating from Parsons School of Design in 1987, she has been a fashion designer. She lives in Brooklyn and illustrated the children’s book A Shelter in Our Car.
Ann Phong was born in Vietnam. After escaping by boat in 1981, she settled in Southern California. Ann exhibits her work both in the U.S. and abroad, and illustrated the book Going Home, Coming Home. She teaches at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
José Ramírez was born in Los Angeles, California, where he still lives today. An artist, muralist, and illustrator of children’s books like Quinito, Day and Night, José is also a second grade teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Tonel was born in Havana, Cuba. His work has been exhibited in Cuba since 1973, and internationally since the early 1980’s. He currently teaches at the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, and has illustrated children’s books including Drum, Chavi, Drum!
Jonathan Warmday is a renowned painter who grew up on the Taos Pueblo Indian Reservation. He resides there today with his two daughters. The illustrator of Kiki’s Journey, he is also a writer with a novel in the works.
