06+-+Jerry+Pinkney+Biography

=  Jerry Pinkney =

**Born:** December 22nd, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

**Vocations:** Children’s Book Illustrator, Playwright, Actor, Professor

**Biography:** Jerry Pinkney was born in 1939 in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Pinkney's artist skill was apparent at an early age, however he struggled with dyslexia throughout elementary school. Pinkney's mother took a particular in his talent early on and his father supported him immensely as a teenager when his talent was unmistakable.

When Pinkney was a teenager he met a cartoonist named John Liney. Liney took an interest in Pinkney and worked with him to develop his talent. He encouraged him in making a career with his artistic talent.

Pinkney attended Dobbins Vocational School working the commercial arts program. He was then accepted to Philadelphia University of the Arts with a full scholarship. After Pinkney married, he and his wife moved to Boston where he worked with a greeting card company. He later moved to New York and opened Jerry Pinkney Studios.

Pinkney started illustrating children's books in 1964. He has illustrated over 100 children's books in his career. Most of his work is focused on multicultural literature for children. His illustrations are colorful and detailed and beautifully depict African American heritage.

In addition to illustrating children's literature, Pinkney has also worked with National Geographic Magazine, the National Parks Service, and the American Library Association designing many covers for their publications. Pinkney has also designed nine different stamps for the US Postal Service for the Black Heritage series of stamps.

Pinkney still lives in New York with his wife and four children. He continues to illustrate books with multicultural themes because he believes it is important for children to see how important that diversity is. He also worked as an professor of art at the University of Delaware and the State University of New York at Buffalo. He continues to give lectures and workshops at art schools and universities throughout the country and well as illustrating books.