Bryan Collier
- Collier is both an author and illustrator (more illustrator)
- grew up in Pocomoke, Maryland and was the youngest of 6
- His interest in art started early
- Interest was always encouraged at home and at school
- Began to develop a unique style using both collage and watercolors
- As a teenager, he began to paint the world around him
- In 1985, Collier won first place in a Congressional Competition
- His art was then displayed in Washington D.C. in the Capitol Building
- Collier won a talent competition granting a full scholarship to Pratt University
- Collier feels a deep sense to become a positive role model for kids
- Bryan tried for seven years until he finally caught his break with the book Uptown
- He spends his time now working on more art pieces and illustrating books.
"At home and at school, I was encouraged to read. I remember the first books with pictures that I read by myself were The Snow Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. I liked the stories, but I really liked the pictures."
"Collage is more than just an art style. Collage is all about bringing different elements together. Once you form a sensibility about connection, how different elements relate to each other, you deepen your understanding of yourself and others."
"The experience of making art is all about making decisions. Once the kids really get that, you see them making the connection. They go from saying, 'That's not about me' to 'Hey. Look at me. This is who I am.'
Art Style
Bryan Collier takes actual photographs of his family and friends acting out the story. This helps him get a better idea of the kind of gestures he would like to create. He then picks his favorite photos and sketches them. He uses collage and watercolors over top of his sketches, creating his illustrations.
Collier as an Author
Bryan Collier has written one book titled Uptown in which he has illustrated as well. The main characters in his book are African American. He writes and illustrates a lot of historical fiction.
Video:
Awards:
Coretta Scott King Award
Freedom River by Doreen Rappaport Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Visiting Langston by Willie Perdomo Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Award
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport Ilustrated by Bryan Collier
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Coretta Scott King and Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award
Uptown by Bryan Collier
Books Illustrated by Collier:
Notable Work:
Uptown is the only book written and illustrated by Bryan Collier. It is a rich mix of flavors, cultures, colors, and sounds that come together to create a vibrant community like no other in the world. Seen through the eyes of one little boy who lives there, the details of life in Harlem are as joyous as a game of basketball on a summer's afternoon and as personal as a trip to the barbershop where old timers reminisce. My reflection: I think this book has awesome illustrations and is very cute because it is the little boy descrbing what he sees. The illustrations are what pulls the reader in and really makes this book interesting. The illustrations are so colorful with great detail. 
Martin's Big Words: The Life
of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by
Bryan Collier is a biography about Martin Luther King, Jr. The book is about
Martin growing up and his life. It does a good job for a biography for kids
showing how much of an impact Martin Luther King, Jr. made on our nation's
history. It tells how Martin cared for everyone in the world and wanted to help
as much as he could. My reflection: This
is book is awesome for children. The illustrations in this book are so powerful
and interesting. It really shows Collier's talent and how his art style really
compes together for a powerful message. The collage style is really evident in
this book which catches the eye of the reader very quickly.
Clemente! by Willie Perdomo and illustrated by Bryan Collier is about a boy named Clemente learns about how he got his name from a famous baseball player named Rober Clemente born in Puerto Rico. Robert Clemente was the first Latin American baseball player inducted into the Hall of Fame. Known not only for his exceptional baseball skills but also for his extensive
charity work in Latin America, Clemente was well-loved during his eighteen years
playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He died in a plane crash while bringing aid
supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Willie Perdomo's rhythmic text and Bryan Collier's energetic art combine to
tell the amazing story of one of baseball's greats.
Freedom River by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier. One thousand fee across the Ohio River is Ripley, Ohio- and freedom. Before the Civil War, Kentucky was a slave state, while Ohio is free. Time and time again, John Parker, an ex-slave who had bought his own freedom, led Kentucky slaves across a thin stretch of river to Ohio, and safety. These dangerous journeys demanded a tremendous amount of courage, planning, and faith. My reflection: Collier uses many dark watercolors in this book, capturing the sneakiness the slaves had to endure just to get to freedom. It is a good book that shows how John Parker saved many lives by leading them to freedom.
Sources:
www. amazon.com
www. wikipedia.com/wiki/Bryan_Collier
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