Artist Michele Wood Delivers Inspired Holiday Offerings

  Artist Michele Wood. (WP photograph by Polina Osherov)

Celebrated for visual works that have documented African-American cultural traditions and expanded the recognized styles of fine art in major exhibitions, Michele Wood is also an award-winning book illustrator whose work adorns the pages of the modern holiday classic, Christmas Soul, and the recently published My Holy Bible for African-American Children.

The Before Columbus Foundation presented Wood with an American Book Award in 1997 for Going Back Home and in 1999 she received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for her work in I See the Rhythm (both titles with author Toyomi Igus). In addition, Wood, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, created the 1993 Black History Month Series Poster for the city of Atlanta, Georgia.
 

Christmas Soul, African-American Holiday Stories

Christmas Soul (Hyperion Books, with Allison Samuels) is a collection of twenty childhood stories inspired by the lives of such celebrated icons as Debbie Allen, Halle Berry, Kobe Bryant, Jamie Foxx, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, LL Cool J, Pattie LaBelle, Usher, and Denzel Washington. Each story is accompanied by a vibrant full-page illustration of the individual as a child with scenes from the story itself. Wood’s craftsmanship is particularly compelling for the artist’s interpretative blending of distinctly American scenes with African textile imagery and decorative patterns.

Among the holiday recollections is that of NBA basketball great Shaquille O’Neal’s “Dad and Me,” in which he compares the gift of a Stretch Armstrong Doll to that of time spent with his father. “I loved that doll, but to be honest, the best thing about any Christmas for me was the time my father and I spent together. When my sisters were busy enjoying all of their toys, Dad and I would go off and play ball or bowl, or just hang out for the day.”

In the story “Hang All the Mistletoe,” singer Mary J. Blige recalls that as a child, “We decorated our house from top to bottom. The best part about decorating was that we did it with decorations we’d made by hand at school––paper snowflakes and snowmen were my favorites.”

Christmas Soul by Michele Wood and Allison Samuels.

A percentage of the proceeds from sales of Christmas Soul go the United Negro College Fund. Moreover, a number of the original paintings of celebrities featured in the book are also available for purchase.

My Holy Bible for African-American Children

Wood is one of seven artists whose painted works bring to life both traditional Biblical stories and empowering scenes from African-American history in My Holy Bible for African-American Children (Zondervan Publishing). Other artists include: Pat Cummings, Nancy Devard, Shane Evans, Cathy Ann Johnson, Anna Rich, and Javaka Steptoe.

The Bible was edited by Cheryl and Wade Hudson, who have won national acclaim as the authors and publishers of their Just Us Books (designed for a young multicultural reading audience). It is recommended for children aged 7-10 and is the first title in Zondervan Publishing’s planned ZonderKidz series. Like all children’s and standard new international version Bibles, the language in this one has been simplified and made more accessible for modern young readers than that included in a standard King James edition. Moreover, it includes such strategically placed supplemental texts as lyrics for the classic hymn, “Wade in the Water,” and an excerpt from Kirk Franklin’s more modern gospel music standard, “Stomp.”

My Holy Bible for African-American Children features art by
by some of America's most renowned artists.

Wood is represented by some half dozen richly painted illustrations in the new Bible, ranging from images that combine Christian faith and hip hop culture to that of Civil War abolitionist Harriet Tubman leading escaped slaves across a river. More abstract works by the artist serve as color frames for additional writings about “The African-American Worship Experience” and for “Inspirational Quotes.” Among the latter is this observation from President Barack Obama:

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.”

To contact Michele Wood regarding exhibits, available paintings, or other projects, email the artist at michele@michelewood.com . You may also learn more about her work by visiting her website and by clicking the links below.

by Aberjhani
National African-American Art Examiner and author/co-author of eight books including ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love and Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance.