R. Gregory Christie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
R. Gregory Christie
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| Born | July 26, 1971 Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | BFA |
| Alma mater | School of Visual Arts |
| Genre | picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction non-fiction |
| Years active | 1996-present |
| Notable works | No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal, Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change, Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan |
| Notable awards | Caldecott Honor, Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text, Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration, Coretta Scott King Award, NAACP Image Award |
Richard Gregory Christie (born July 26, 1971) is an American author and illustrator. He is famous for his picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels. He has also created album covers.
Christie has won many awards for his work. These include the Coretta Scott King Award and the NAACP Image Award. Some of his well-known books are No Crystal Stair, Bad News for Outlaws, and Brothers in Hope. He has illustrated more than 60 books in his career.
Contents
About R. Gregory Christie's Life
Richard Gregory Christie was born on July 26, 1971. His birthplace was Plainfield, New Jersey. His mother was from Louisiana, and his father was a pharmacist. He grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Christie loved art from a young age. He started drawing comic book characters when he was five. By age eight, he was painting pictures inspired by TV shows. In high school, he worked at an art supply store.
After high school, he went to New York City's School of Visual Arts. While studying, he worked at a museum bookshop. He graduated in 1993 with a degree in fine arts. Today, Christie lives and paints in Atlanta, Georgia.
R. Gregory Christie's Art Career
Christie's first illustration was published in a New Jersey newspaper in 1990. This happened while he was still in college. He began his career by designing album covers for jazz music. He often uses acrylic paints for his artwork.
His first official book illustration job was for a poetry book. It was called The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children. This book came out in 1996. It was inspired by artists like Ernie Barnes and Pablo Picasso. This first book won him a Coretta Scott King Award when he was 25.
Awards and Recognition
Since then, many of Christie's books have won major awards. These include six more Coretta Scott King Honors. He also received a Caldecott Honor and an NAACP Image Award. His art has appeared on PBS Kids shows like Between the Lions.
As a freelance artist, he has worked for many clients. These include The New Yorker magazine and The New York Times newspaper. He also created art for Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal.
Artistic Inspirations
Christie finds inspiration in the works of American artists. These include William H. Johnson and Romare Bearden. He also admires Ezra Jack Keats' children's books. Many of Christie's works focus on African American historical figures. He has illustrated biographies of Muhammad Ali, Sojourner Truth, and Langston Hughes.
Special Projects and Collaborations
In 2012, Christie opened an online store and art studio. It is called GAS ART GIFTS. This store sells products and services based on his artwork. That same year, his art was displayed in New York City's subway lines. It was part of the MTA Arts & Design program.
In 2013, Christie received more big projects. He designed a Kwanzaa stamp for the United States Postal Service. He also created a poster for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. This poster featured musician Buckwheat Zydeco.
In 2017, Christie worked with actress Karyn Parsons. He illustrated animated shorts for the Sweet Blackberry Foundation. These shorts told the stories of important African Americans. They included pilot Bessie Coleman and inventor Garrett Morgan.
Awards and Honors
R. Gregory Christie has been recognized with many awards for his illustrations.
Awards Won
- 2019 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor for Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop
- 2017 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor for Freedom in Congo Square
- 2017 Caldecott Honor for Freedom in Congo Square
- 2016 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor for The Book Itch
- 2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books Award for Freedom in Congo Square
- 2013 Coretta Scott King Award for Author Honor for No Crystal Stair
- 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for No Crystal Stair
- 2010 Coretta Scott King Award for Author for Bad News for Outlaws
- 2009 NAACP Image Award for Children for Our Children Can Soar
- 2007 Schneider Family Book Award for Young Children's Book for The Deaf Musicians
- 2006 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor for Brothers in Hope
- 2002 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books Award for Stars in the Darkness
- 2001 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor for Only Passing Through
- 2000 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books Award for Only Passing Through
- 1997 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor for The Palm of My Heart
Award Nominations
- 2015 Lee & Low New Voices Award for It Jes' Happened
- 2015 Bluestem Book Award for Rich
- 2013 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for Writer for It Jes' Happened
- 2013 CLEL Silver Bell Award for Sing for Jazz Baby
- 2012 Ohioana Book Award for Juvenile for Roots and Blues
- 2010 Spur Award for Best Storyteller for Bad News for Outlaws
- 2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for Jazz Baby
- 2008 Charlotte Zolotow Award for Highly Commended Title for Jazz Baby
