Jump In Studio

“I’ll tell you what freedom means to me: NO FEAR!” Nina Simone, from WE ARE THE CHANGE by Chronicle Books.

We Are the Change

On May 7th, Chronicle Books will release a gorgeous illustrated book that features artwork from 16 amazing artists (Selina Alko, Alina Chau, Lisa Congdon, Emily Hughes, Molly Idle, Juana Medina, Innosanto Nagara, Christopher Silas Neal, John Parra, Brian Pinkney, Greg Pizzoli, Sean Qualls, Dan Santat, Me, Melissa Sweet, and Raúl the Third). Each illustration represents a powerful quote by a…

Never Caught Cover Story

This week marks the release of “Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington’s Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away; Young Readers Edition”. In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons when they were the First Family—and an in-depth look at their slave, Ona Judge, who dared to escape…

Hollins, Tulsa, and Highlights!

The second half of 2018 was full of wonderful happenings. I spent time mentoring great talents at The Highlights Foundation this summer, I presented my work at Hollins University, I participated in an amazing show titlted “Telling a People’s Story: African American Children’s Illustrated Literature” at the Miami University at Oxford, and spent time sharing Please, Louise with the Tulsa Public…

We’re slowly awakening from our long winter slumber. This time of year is always especially motivating for me and I’m sure it is for most creative people. Here are a few classes over at Craftsy that might help fertilize those ambitions! Enjoy! The Art of the Picture Book Sketchbooks: Drawing the Everydayfrom: Craftsy Drawing Essentials: Inspired By Nature Illustrated Nature Journalingfrom:…

Highlights from Highlights and Louise Goes to Tulsa!

It has a fantastic and busy season over here in the studio! First off, I helped launch an exhibition of my work at The Highlights Foundation!! How cool is that?? This year, my linocuts from A Child’s Book of Prayers and Blessings will be on display at the barn. I will be back up in July to help kick off Summer Camp at the barn. If you are an aspiring author or illustrator, the Highlights…

Telling a People’s Story

Saturday, April 21 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.   ~   Shadra Strickland (Illustrator) Positivity and Fulfilling the Dream Strickland works to promote self-affirmation and validation for African-American children in order to encourage positivity. Through her work, and her ultimate goal as a picture book author and illustrator, Strickland believes her work is about teaching children how to live their…

Join Me at The Highlights Foundation

“Be curious about the world and how it works.”–Shadra Strickland Join me for a at the Highlights Foundation on Saturday, March 17. The reception launches The Highlights Foundation’s 2018 Visual Arts Exhibit, which features original art from A Child’s Blessings and Prayers: From Faiths and Cultures Around the World, written by Deloris Jordan (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, October 2017.)The…

This summer I also had the pleasure of working on a collaborative project by Susan Hood – forthcoming from HarperCollins! SHAKING THINGS UP: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World hits stores 1/23/18 and is available for pre-order now. Inside you’ll find inspiring stories of Ruby Bridges, Mary Anning, Malala, Maya Lin, Nellie Bly, Mae Jemison, Frida Kahlo and more illustrated by picture book…

Over the summer I was asked to illustrate the cover of award winning author, Jewell Parker Rhodes’ latest book, Ghost Boys, here is a synopsis of the story: Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that’s been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal…

From “A Child’s Book of Prayers and Blessings: From Faiths and Cultures Around the World” I didn’t think that I would be motherless this early. We planned to move her up to Baltimore so that she could enjoy the rest of her retired life with no responsibilities other than herself. But as every good plot shows, life doesn’t work out as we plan. She did move up to Baltimore and lived with me for the…