|
 Bryan
Collier
grew up in Pocomoke, Maryland, on the lower Eastern Shore of the
state, the youngest of six children. His interest in art started
early. "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." As a
teenager Bryan began to paint the world around him - the bay, ducks,
water, and marshland. His interest in art was always encouraged both
at home and at school. Bryan began to develop a unique style of
painting that incorporated both watercolors and collage.
In
1985 Bryan won first place in a Congressional Competition, and his
art was displayed in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Later
that year he was awarded a scholarship to Pratt Institute in New
York City through their national talent competition. IN 1989 Bryan
graduated with honors from Pratt Institute with a bachelor of fine
arts degree
Today
Bryan spends his time working on his book illustrations, creating
his own studio pieces, and going into classrooms to talk with
teachers, librarians, and students about books and art. "I get so
much from those school visits. With the books I've been doing, I
have this amazing opportunity to bring my art and the process of
making artwork and books into the classroom. I ask the students to
talk to me and talk to each other about how they feel and what their
own experiences are. Basically I ask them to tell their own story.
Then I ask them to tell their own story through art. 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.'" |
