Who's News
February 22, 2005
Meet Kadir Nelson, artist
Kid Reporter Janssen talked with the award-winning illustrator of 'Ellington Was Not a Street'
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Kadir Nelson began drawing at the age of three and is now one of the most recognized artists in the country. Recently, Nelson won the American Library Association's prestigious Coretta Scott King Award. The award recognizes African-American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults. Nelson won for his illustrations in the book Ellington Was Not a Street. Kid Reporter Janssen Powers asked Nelson about the book and his art.
TFK: When did you start to draw pictures? When were you first recognized as an illustrator?
Nelson: I began to draw at a very early age. At about three years old. I began illustrating professionally in 1993 during my freshman year in college. I have been illustrating ever since.
 |  Ellington Was Not a Street pays tribute to African-American heroes Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and more. |
Nelson: I enjoy painting images of African American history and culture because of its rich and diverse history. I feel that not enough of African American history and culture is taught in grade school, and I have taken the responsibility to celebrate and make this history and culture available to young viewers through my work.
TFK: How do you think that this book will affect children?
Nelson: I hope that Ellington Was Not a Street will provoke the study of the famous and influential characters in the book. I tried to present them in a way that seemed familiar enough to make them accessible to the reader.
TFK: What does the Coretta Scott King Award mean to you?
Nelson: The Coretta Scott King Award is such an incredible honor to receive as an illustrator. It is a very prestigious award and I was rendered speechless when I received word that Ellington Was Not a Street was awarded the honor. It means that this book and its message will have the opportunity to reach many more young readers.
TFK: Can you relate with any of the pictures or passages in this book?
Nelson: I know what it’s like to be in the presence of great men, and how it feels to look up to them, as there are many in my family. I know what it’s like to be a young child and peek around corners to get a glimpse of the adults having a good time, just like the little girl in this book does.
TFK: Is there a message that you would like to convey that may be difficult for a young reader to read or see?
Nelson: I hope that this book encourages young readers to find out just who these “great men” are who grace the author’s childhood home. Fortunately, the book has great author’s notes in the back which share brief biographies of each of those mentioned in the text. It’s a great start.
TFK: Do you have a role model that you look up to?
Nelson: I can’t say that I have a role model that I look up to as an adult. However, I did look up to my parents and extended family during my youth. I also admired Michael Jordan a great deal.
|  Nelson's oil paintings honoring African-American legendary figures bring to mind a family album. |
Nelson: I would encourage any artist to paint with their hearts and tell their own stories with each work. That is what is most unique about any artist. I would also encourage artists to toughen their skin as they will face a lot of rejection in the beginning. You can’t take it personally. (You) just gotta' keep pluggin'.
TFK: What was your favorite book as a child? Did it spur you on to become an illustrator?
Nelson: My favorite book as a child was Where the Wild Things Are. I still love that book. It didn’t spur me to become an illustrator. When you are a kid, you just take things for granted. I didn’t think that anyone actually drew the pictures in the book. It was just like it fell out of the sky and always was. I didn’t really become serious about being an illustrator until my freshman year in college.
TFK: Is there any picture that you are fond of in this book?
Nelson: I really like the front and back covers. I love the deep green of the wall, the light blue against the white collar of the little girl’s dress. The way she is presenting the record as if it is a gift to the viewer. The black record against her light blue dress and her brown skin. Not to mention she’s a cutie pie. I also love the picture of (jazz musician Duke) Ellington as well. It shows how classy and elegant he was.
