Kadir Nelson

Kadir Nelson is an American artist who currently exhibits his artwork in galleries and museums nationwide and abroad. His paintings are in the private and public permanent collections of several notable institutions including the Muskegon Museum of Art, The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the International Olympic Committee, and the US House of Representatives.

Nelson has created artwork for a host of distinguished clients including Sports Illustrated, The Coca–Cola Company, The United States Postal Service, Major League Baseball, and Dreamworks SKG as the lead conceptual artist creating for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar® nominated feature film, “Amistad”. Recently, Nelson created the cover artwork for the New Yorker magazine, which featured the late Nelson Mandela. He also created cover artwork for Michael Jackson’s posthumously released album, “Michael,” and recording artist Drake’s, “Nothing Was The Same.”

Nelson has also authored and illustrated several award–winning NYT Best–Selling picture books including, “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball” and “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.”

Nelson states, “I feel that art’s highest function is that of a mirror, reflecting the innermost beauty and divinity of the human spirit; and is most effective when it calls the viewer to remember one’s highest self. I choose subject matter that has emotional and spiritual resonance and focuses on the journey of the hero as it relates to the personal and collective stories of people.”

CV

Selected Editorial Reviews*

Sports Illustrated Cover feature, The New Yorker feature, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times feature, National Public Radio, The African American Atelier exhibition catalog, The International Review of African American Art, Vol. 9, Sports Illustrated “Leading Off” pages, San Diego Union-Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today * select Media/Press listed on towards the end

A W A R D S

2015 Gold Medal Society of Illustrators New York, NY “Morning Post”, oil on board Uncommissioned category
2014 NAACP Image Award NAACP Los Angeles, CA “Nelson Mandela”, children’s book Outstanding Literary Work – Children
2014 Gold Medal – Hamilton King Award Society of Illustrators New York, NY “Robben Island”, oil on board Book category
2014 Hamilton King Award Society of Illustrator New York, NY “Robben Island”, oil on board Best Illustration of the Year
2014 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor American Library Association Chicago, IL “Nelson Mandela”, children’s book
2013 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor American Library Association Chicago, IL “I Have A Dream”, children’s book
2013 New York Times Best Illustrated Book New York Times New York, NY “Nelson Mandela”, children’s book
2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award American Library Association Chicago, IL “Heart and Soul”, children’s book
2012 Audie Award. AudioFile Magazine Portland, ME “Heart and Soul” audiobook
2012 Once Upon a Star Book Award Museum of Tolerance. Los Angeles, CA “A Nation’s Hope”, children’s book
2012 Silver Medal Society of Illustrators New York, NY Original Children’s Book Art
2011 Silver Medal Society of Illustrators New York, NY Original Children’s Book Art
2009 Sport Artist of the Year United States Sports Academy Mobile, AL
2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award American Library Association Chicago, IL “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball”, children’s book
2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor American Library Association Chicago, IL “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball”, children’s book
2009 Robert F. Sibert Award American Library Association Chicago, IL “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball”, children’s book
2008 Bronze Medal International Olympic Sport Art Competition Beijing, CHINA “The Anatomy of Team Handball” oil painting
2008 Gold Medal Society of Illustrators New York, NY Original Children’s Book Art
2008 Casey Award Spitball Magazine Cincinnati, OH “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball”, children’s book
2008 NY Times Best Illustrated Book New York Times New York, NY “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball”, children’s book
2008 Caldecott Honor American Library Association Chicago, IL “Henry’s Freedom Box”, children’s book
2008 Silver Medal Society of Illustrators New York, NY Original Children’s Book Art
2007 Caldecott Honor American Library Association Chicago, IL “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom”, children’s book
2007 Coretta Scott King Award American Library Association Chicago, IL “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom”, children’s book
2007 NAACP Image Award NAACP Los Angeles, CA “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom”, children’s book
2005 Coretta Scott King Award American Library Association Chicago, IL “Ellington Was Not A Street”, children’s book “Ellington Was Not A Street”, children’s book
2005 Gold Medal. Society of Illustrators New York, NY “Hewitt Anderson’s Great Big Life” Original Children’s Book Art
2004 Coretta Scott King Honor American Library Association Chicago, IL “Thunder Rose”, children’s book
2004 NAACP Image Award NAACP Los Angeles, CA “Just The Two Of Us” Outstanding Children’s Literature
2002 Silver Medal The Society of illustrators New York, NY Original Art Annual Exhibition
1998 Gold Medal The Society of illustrators New York, NY “Lynch Mob”, oil on canvas Editorial Category
1998 Silver Medal The Society of illustrators New York, NY “Steerike!”, oil on canvas Advertising Category

S O L O E X H I B I T I O N S

2015 “Words And Pictures: Illustrated Works By Kadir Nelson”. The Arts Council. Fayetteville, NC
2014 “A Light In Harlem”. RJD Gallery. Sag Harbor, NY 2014 “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans”. Richard Stockton College, Galloway, NJ
2014 “Words And Pictures”. Hearne Fine Art. Little Rock, AK
2013 “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans”. The Society of Illustrators Museum. New York, NY
2013 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Piedmont Arts Association. Martinsville, VA
2012 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” South Bend Museum of Art. South Bend, IN
2012 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. Pittsburgh, PA
2012 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” The Carle Museum. Amherst, MA
2012 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Miami Dade College Freedom Tower. Miami, FL
2011 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Fort Wayne, IN
2011 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Museum of Texas Tech University. Lubbock, TX
2011 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” The Arts Council. Fayetteville, NC
2011 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
2010 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” South Shore Arts. Munster, IN
2010 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville, KY
2009 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Michelson Museum of Art. Marshall, TX
2009 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” City of Lake Charles. Lake Charles, LA
2009 “Sports Artist of the Year”. United States Sports Academy. Mobile, AL
2008 “WE ARE THE SHIP: Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson.” Negro Leagues Museum. Kansas City, MO
2007 “The African-American Experience: Children’s Book Illustrations By Kadir Nelson”. Akron Art Museum. Akron, OH
2006 “Healing The Spirit”. African American Atelier. Greensboro, NC
2005 “Ellington Was Not A Street”. Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Fort Wayne, IN. Fort Wayne, IN
1999 “The Amistad Experience”. The Hayti Heritage Center. Durham, NC

G R O U P E X H I B I T I O N S

2015 “Revolutions II: The Art of Music”. Forest Lawn Art Museum. Glendale, CA
2015 “Looking Both Ways”. Peninsula Fine Arts Center. Newport News, VA
2011 “Triple Play”. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
2009 “Picture Perfect: Art From Caldecott Award Books, 2006-2009”. Chicago Art Institute. Chicago, IL
2006 “Art. Process: From Person, To Pencil, To Published”. Amherst, MA. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book
2006 “Honoring Heroes In History”. Chicago Art Institute. Chicago, IL
2006 ArtPeace Gallery. Burbank, CA
2005 “All the Stories Are True”. Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. Washington DC
2003 “Shades Of Greatness”. The Negro League Baseball Museum. Kansas City, MO
2002 “Black Romantic”. The Studio Museum in Harlem. Harlem, NY
2001 “Every Picture Tells A Story: Children’s Book Exhibit”. Simon Wiesenthal Center, Museum of Tolerance. Los Angeles, CA
2000 “The Art Of Sport”. San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum. San Diego, CA
1992 “San Diego/Yokahama/ Tijuana Art Exchange”. San Diego, CA/Yokahama, JAPAN/ Tijuana, MEXICO

C O M M I S S I O N S

U.S. House of Representatives: Shirley Chisholm Official Portrait

Sony: MICHAEL/The King of Pop, Michael Jackson Album Cover

October’s Very Own: Nothing Was The Same, Rapper Drake Album Cover

U.S. Postal Service: 12 Commemorative Stamps:
Wilt Chamberlain x2
Richard Wright
Anna Julia Cooper
Ted Williams
Joe Dimaggio
Willie Stargell
Larry Doby
Althea Gibson
Ralph Ellison
Negro Leagues/Rube Foster

The Coca-Cola Company: Paintings commissioned for campaign

Black History Month Illustrations (“Family”; “Music & Entertainment”; “Innovation”; “Education”)
Essence Music Festival Illustrations (“Summertime Groove”; “Summertime Groove II”)
Be Legendary Illustrations (“Be Driven”; “Be Heard”; “Be Legendary”; “Be Giving”; “Toast”)
Cookbook illustrations (“Collard”; “Be Heard II”; “Be Legendary II”; “Catfish”; “Boys”; “Banana Pudding”; “Toast II”; “Be Giving II”)

Skyy Vodka: “Moscato” – Television Commercial Advertisement

Miami Marlins: Commemorative Portrait of Henderson Alvarez

Sports Illustrated: Cover Story and Spotlighted Paintings from book, WE ARE THE SHIP
Commissioned Paintings: “Young Babe Ruth”; “KC Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers”; “Team of the Century”

Nike: Basketball tee shirt designs: “Right Wing”; “Reverse Dunk”; “Air”; “Flight”; “The Untold Truth”; “Big Men”
Point of Sale Illustration, “Tuskegee Airmen”

New Yorker Magazine: Eustace Tilley 90th Anniversary Cover
Nelson Mandela Commemorative Cover

New York Times: 3 Sports Article Illustrations

George Lucas Film: Commissioned painting, “Chewbacca”, for Star Wars book, Star Wars Visions

Marvin’s Room Recording Studio: Commissioned painting, “Marvin Gaye” and “The Life of Marvin Gaye”, commemorating the life of recording artist

Will and Jada Smith: Commissioned painting, “Swoosh”, commemorating tennis veteran Venus Williams’ U.S. Open win
“Queen Mama Morton” commemorating actress Queen Latifah’s Oscar® nomination

The Estate of Michael Jackson: Commissioned painting, “The King of Pop”, for MICHAEL Album Cover commemorating the life of recording artist

Time Magazine: Commission painting, “Gladiator”, of NBA athlete Shaquille O’Neal

San Diego Padres: Commissioned paintings entitled, “Dave Winfield”; “Tony Gwynn”; “Jerry Coleman”; “Jimmy Carter”; “Buck O’Neil”;
“Allan Bud Selig”; “ Turkey Stearnes”

Verve Music: Commissioned painting for jazz artist, Roy Hargrove’s “Distractions” Album Cover

Polygram/Universal Distribution: Commissioned paintings entitled, “Black History Unfolds”; “Funk Jazz”; “Cosmic Funk”; “Music Conductor”; “United in Song”; “Neo Soul”

Electronic Arts: “NFL Street I & II” Video Game Covers

DreamWorks Records: Commissioned Album Cover, “Swizz Beatz: Ghetto Stories”

DreamWorks Animation: Visual Development Art, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”

DreamWorks Pictures: Visual Development Art, “Amistad”

State Farm: Commissioned Billboard Painting, “Bayou Classic”

And 1: Commissioned Paintings for Print Ads, “Street Ballers”; “Ricky Davis”

Sears: Promotional calendar paintings entitled:
“Winter”; “Fall; “Spring”; “Summer”

Major League Baseball: All-Star Game Covers: “Randy Johnson”; “Barry Bonds”; “Richie Sexson”, “Robin Yount”; “Alex Rodriguez”

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Commissioned Painting, “Willie Foster and Young Fans”, for Traveling Exhibition, Shades of Greatness

Robert and Delores McNeely: Commissioned Paintings for Private Collection, “La Madona”; “Emancipation”

Vibe Magazine: Commissioned Spot Illustration, “Quest Love”

Playboy Magazine: Commissioned Illustrations, “Women’s Boxing”; “Desmond Howard’s Return”

Men’s Journal Magazine: Commissioned Illustrations, “City Heights”; “Next Five”

Scholastic: Commissioned Illustrations for “Read Everyday” (Poster); “Safe at Home” (Book Cover); “Time Pieces” (Book Cover); “Cousins” (Book Cover); “Arilla Sundown” (Book Cover); “Slam Dunk” (Book Cover)

Nergyzed Entertainment: Commissioned Illustrations for “BCFX I”; “BCFX II” Video Game Covers

Children’s Book Council: Commissioned Illustration for “Book Time” Poster

Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Commissioned Illustrations for Playbill Covers: “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker”; “Dreams”; “Pearl”; “Twist”; “Hip Hop Dance Intensive”

Walmart: Commissioned Painting, “Drum Major”

Scenario Magazine: Commissioned Illustrations for “Rosewood” Article: “Fanny”; “Lynch Mob”; “Burning Town”; “Mann”

SEE Graphics: Commissioned Painting for Virtual Website, “Planet Michael”

Ecay Uno: Commissioned Illustrations for “BombLeery” Logo; “As A Man” and “Leery Gang” Album Covers

Angels On Earth Magazine: Commissioned Editorial Spot Illustrations: “Cab Driver”; “Through The Fire”; “Angel Fire”; “Brave Father”

Clubhouse Jr. Magazine: Commissioned Editorial Spot Illustration, “Frances Harper”

Urgent, Inc.: Commissioned Artwork for Logo

Emily Gunter: Commissioned Artwork for “Superlearning 2000” Book Cover and Interior Illustrations

Emily Gunter: Commissioned Artwork for “Superlearning 3000” Book Cover and Interior Illustrations

Emily Gunter: Commissioned Artwork for “A Right of Passage
toSpiritual Enlightenment” Book Cover

Mark Roberts: Commissioned Painting, “Trujillo All Stars”

Lactaid: Commissioned Illustration for Ad Campaign, “Milk Moments”

Walter Latham: Commissioned Painting, “Sherry’s Paradise”

L E C T U R E S

Nelson, Kadir. 2015. “Words and Pictures: The Art of Illustrating Children’s Books”. St. Louis Public Library. St. Louis, MO. February 12, 2015.
Nelson, Kadir. 2015. Target Headquarters. Black History Month Lecture. Minneapolis, MN. February 5, 2015.
Nelson, Kadir. 2015. “Words and Pictures: The Art of Illustrating Children’s Books”. The Arts Council. Fayetteville, NC. January 22, 2015.
Nelson, Kadir. 2014. “Words and Pictures: The Art of Illustrating Children’s Books”. Bill Clinton Presidential Library. Little Rock, AK. April 24, 2014.
Nelson, Kadir. 2014. LA Times Book Festival. Los Angeles, CA. April 13, 2014.
Nelson, Kadir. 2014. “Heart and Soul” lecture. Richard Stockton College. Galloway, NJ. February 24, 2014.
Nelson, Kadir. 2014. American Library Association Winter Conference. Chicago, IL. January 24, 2014.
Nelson, Kadir. 2013. Oregon Library Association Fall Conference. Portland, OR. October 12, 2013.
Nelson, Kadir. 2013. National Book Festival. Washington, D.C. September 2013.
Nelson, Kadir. 2013. Freedom Center. Cincinnati, OH. February 23, 2013.
Nelson, Kadir. 2013. “Words and Pictures: The Art of Illustrating Children’s Books”. American School. Singapore. February 3, 2013.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. Boulder Library. Boulder, CO. July 24, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. Book Expo America Annual Breakfast. New York, NY. June 6, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. “Heart and Soul”. Society of Illustrators. New York, NY. October 4, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. Tuscon Book Festival. Tuscon, AZ. March 10, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. California Lutheran University. Thousand Oaks, CA. Februrary 28, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. Colorado State University. Pueblo, CO. Outreach and Instruction for Librarians. February 9, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. LA Times Book Festival. Los Angeles, CA. April 26, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2012. “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball.” Eric Carle Museum. Amherst, MA. April 1, 2012.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball.” Muskegon Museum of Art. Muskegon, MI. January 13, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball.” Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Fort Wayne, IN. September 29, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY. September 21, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. National Book Festival. Washington, D.C. September 24-25, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Savannah Children’s Book Festival. Savannah, GA. November 18, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Maret School. Washington, DC. September 26, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Penn. State. Harrisburg, PA. September 7, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Tuscaloosa Main Library. Tuscaloosa, AL. April 14, 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. “Making Your Way”. Art Center College of Art. Los Angeles, CA. February 15. 2011.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. ICON Los Angeles. Illustrator conference Keynote. July 17, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. “Words and Pictures: The Art of Illustrating Children’s Books”. Brigham Young University. Provo, UT. July 15, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. Visalia Library. Visalia, CA. June 12, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. “A Conversation with Kadir Nelson and Sharon Robinson”. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Kansas City, MO.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. Texas Library Association. San Antonio, TX. April 16, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. Portland Library Association Conference. Portland, OR. March 25, 2015.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature. Athens, GA. March 18, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. Society of Children’s Book and Writers Regional Conference. Miami, FL. January 16, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2010. American Library in Paris. Paris, FRANCE. February 2, 2010.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. Brooklyn Public Library. Brooklyn, NY.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. Upland Public Library. Upland, CA. October 23, 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. National Book Festival. Washington, D.C. September 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. La Jolla Country Day School. La Jolla, CA. October 15, 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. Chicago Art Institute. Chicago, IL. June 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. Champaign Public Library. Champaign, IL.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. Bennett College. Greensboro, NC.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. LA Times Book Festival. Los Angeles, CA. April 26, 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. Illinois Reading Council. Springfield, IL. March 19, 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2009. International Reading Association. Phoenix, AZ. February 23, 2009.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. Willard Library. Kalamazoo, MI. November 13, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. “Illustrating for Children”. Salisbury State University. Salisbury, MD. October 11, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. International Reading Association. Seattle, WA. October 9, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. Rocky Mountain Children’s Literature Conference. Casa Grande, AZ. October 4, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. National Book Festival. Washington, D.C. September 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball.” Historical Society of Washington, DC. Washington, DC. June 7, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. LA Times Book Festival. Los Angeles, CA. April 27, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. Youngstown State University. Youngstown, PA. April 7, 2008.
Nelson, Kadir. 2007. Solano County Library. Sacramento, CA. November 4, 2007.
Nelson, Kadir. 2007. “Words and Pictures: The Art of Illustrating Children’s Books”. Society of Children’s Book and Writers Annual Conference. Century City, CA. August 5, 2007.
Nelson, Kadir. 2007. Princeton Day School. Princeton, NJ. April 16, 2007.
Nelson, Kadir. 2007. Kent State University. Kent, OH. April 12, 2007.
Nelson, Kadir. 2006. National Conference for Teachers and Educators. Nashville, TN. November 19, 2006.
Nelson, Kadir. 2006. Novello. Charlotte, NC. October 27, 2006.
Nelson, Kadir. 2006. Chicago Public Library. Chicago, IL. April 19, 2006.
Nelson, Kadir. 2006. “Art. Process: From Person, To Pencil, To Published”. Eric Carle Museum. Amherst, MA. Feb 18, 2006.

B O O K S W R I T T E N A N D / O R I L L U S T R A T E D

Nelson, Kadir. 2015. If You Plant A Seed. Balzer+Bray. New York, NY. Written and Illustrated.
Nelson, Kadir. 2014. Baby Bear. Balzer+Bray. New York, NY. Written and Illustrated.
Nelson, Kadir. 2013. Nelson Mandela. Katherine Tegen Books. New York, NY. Written and Illustrated.
Gunter, Emily Diane. 2013. Superlearning 3000: Learning Made Simple. Urgent Press Publication. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
King, Jr., Dr. Martin Luther. 2012. I Have A Dream. Random House. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Heart and Soul:The Story of America and African Americans. Balzer+Bray. New York, NY. Written and Illustrated.
Shange, Ntozake. 2011. Coretta Scott. Katherine Tegen Books. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
De La Peña , Matt. 2011. A Nation’s Hope. Penguin Books. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Napoli, Dona Jo. 2010. Mama Miti. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Staines, Bill. 2009. All God’s Critters. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Obama, Barack. 2009. Change Has Come. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Grifalconi, Ann. 2009. The Village that Vanished. Penguin Books. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Robinson, Sharon. 2009. Testing the Ice. Scholastic. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Disney. New York, NY. Written and Illustrated.
Rappaport, Doreen. 2008. Abe’s Honest Words. Disney. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Jordan, Delores. 2007. Michael’s Golden Rules. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Levine, Ellen. 2007. Henry’s Freedom Box. Scholastic. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Nolen, Jerdine. 2007. Thunder Rose. Houghton Mifflin. Boston, MA. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Boston Weatherford, Carole. 2006. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom. Disney. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Lee, Spike and Tonya. 2006. Please, Baby, Please. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Richardson, Charisse K. 2006. The Real Slam Dunk. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Nolen, Jerdine. 2005. Hewitt Anderson’s Great Big Life. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Nelson, Kadir. 2005. He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Penguin Books. New York, NY. Written and Illustrated.
Lee, Spike and Tonya. 2005. Please, Puppy, Please. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Packer, Tina. 2004. Tales from Shakespeare. Scholastic. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Shange, Ntozake. 2004. Ellington Was Not A Street. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Jordan, Delores and Roslyn. 2003. Salt in His Shoes. Simon and Schuster. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Nolen, Jerdine. 2003. Big Jabe. HarperCollins. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Allen, Debbie. 2003. Dancing in the Wings. Penguin Books. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Under the Christmas Tree. HarperCollins. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Allen, Debbie. 2001. Brothers of the Knight. Penguin Books. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Smith, Will. 2001. Just the Two of Us. Scholastic. New York, NY. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Gunter, Emily Diane. 2000. A Rite of Passage to Spiritual Enlightenment: Living with Compassion. Professional Publishing. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
Spielberg, Steven. 1997. Amistad: A Celebration of the Film by Steven Spielberg. New Market Press. Illustrations by Kadir Nelson.

Gunter, Emily Diane. 1993. Superlearning 2000: The New Technologies of Self Empowerment. Milligan Books. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

C O L L E C T O R S *

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

United States House of Representatives
United States Capitol Building,
East Capitol St NE & First St SE
Washington, DC 20004

Official Portrait of Shirley Anita Chisholm, 2008. Oil on canvas

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
1616 E 18th St
Kansas City, MO 64108

“Kansas City Dugout”, 2007. Oil on canvas
“Safe at Home”, 2007. Oil on canvas
“Big Rube”, 2002. Oil on canvas
“Willie Foster and Young Fans”, 2003. Oil on canvas

The San Diego Padres
Petco Park
100 Park Blvd
San Diego CA 92101

“Tony Gwynn”, 2005. Oil on canvas
“Jerry Coleman”, 2005. Oil on canvas
“David Winfield”, 2005. Oil on canvas
“Jimmy Carter”, 2005. Oil on canvas
“Bud Selig”, 2005. Oil on canvas

San Diego Hall of Champions
2131 Pan American Plaza
San Diego ca 92101

“Ted Williams”, 2004. Oil on canvas

The National Baseball Hall of Fame
5 Main Street
Cooperstown NY 13326

“Turkey Stearnes”, 2007. Oil on canvas

Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W Webster Ave
Muskegon, MI 49440

“Rube and the Giants”, 2007. Oil on canvas
“Game Bus”, 2006. Oil on canvas
“Pittsburgh Crawfords”, 2007. Oil on canvas

City of Miami

“Josh Gibson”, 2014. Acrylic on concrete wall

Dorsey Park Murals
1701 NW 1 Avenue
Miami, FL 33136

“Satchel Paige”, 2014. Acrylic on concrete wall
“Biz Mackey”, 2014. Acrylic on concrete wall

CATALOGS

Revolutions II. 2015. Forest Lawn Art Museum. Group exhibition. Los Angeles, CA.
African American Atelier. 2006. “Healing the Spirit.” Greensboro, NC.
The Studio Museum in Harlem. 2002. Black Romantic. Group exhibition. Harlem, NY.

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Institutions

The Estate of Michael Jackson
United States Sports Academy
San Diego Padres
Coca-Cola Corporation
Dreamworks SKG
Sears, Roebuck & Co.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Foundation
Westmont College
Robert Breitbard Foundation
Westmont College

Individuals

Berry Gordy
Kate and Steven Spielberg
Will and Jada Smith
Denzel and Pauletta Washington
Venus Williams
Shaquille O’Neal
Spike and Tonya Lee
Darryl Strawberry
Jamal Williams
Katt Williams
Chris Webber
Bernard and Shirley Kinsey
Rachel Robinson
Sharon Stone
Nicole Murphy
John Moores
Rebecca Moores
Debbie and Norman Nixon
Raphael Saddiq
Ray Allen
Lil Kim
Ice Cube
Jalen Rose
Bertice Berry
Ananda Lewis
Tina and Harold Lewis
Queen Latifah
John McClain
Nona Gaye
Jan Gaye
Tyrese Gibson
Antwone Fisher
Byrma Braham
Keith Davis
Terry Lewis
Mr. And Mrs. Darrell Williams
Debra and Darrell Gunter
Verlee Gunter-Moore
Shermaine and Rodney Gary
Geri Bauer
Howard Smiley
Walter Latham
Marsha Walters
Dr. Eugene and Roberta Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Thompson
Don Cheadle
Frank Darabont
Ed Gordon
Djimon Hounsou
Other Private Collectors* (additional collectors known but wish to remain anonymous)

P R E S S ( S E L E C T E D )

Buchanan, J. “If you Plant a Picture”. New York, NY. Reading Rainbow. March 4, 2015. Book review and interview about Baby Bear and If You Plant a Seed.
Mouly, F. “Cover Story: Nine for Ninety”. New York, NY: The New Yorker. February 16, 2015. Oil painting commissioned for the 90th anniversary cover for the New Yorker Magazine.
Davis, D. “Wilt the Stilt Becomes Wilt the Stamp”. New York, NY: New York Times. December 4, 2014. Two commemorative Forever postal stamps of Wilt Chamberlain commissioned by the USPS.
BBC World News “Nelson Mandela Kadir Nelson on Painting New Yorker Cover”. London, ENGLAND. December 8, 2013.
Springen, K. “Kadir Nelson’s New Stamp Honors Athlete Althea Gibson”. New York, NY: Publishers Weekly (PW). August 22, 2013.
Markman, R. “Drake Goes From Boy To Man On Nothing Was The Same Cover”. MTV News. New York, NY. August 22, 2013. Rapper Drake reveals his NWTS album cover by Kadir Nelson.
Pasori, C. “Interview: Artist Kadir Nelson Talks Painting Drake’s “Nothing Was The Same” Album Covers”. Complex Magazine. New York, NY. August 25, 2013.
Muhammad, L. “Artist Kadir Nelson Explains Drake’s Nothing Was the Same Cover”. BET News. Washington, DC. August 23, 2013.
Mouly, F. “Cover Story: Nelson Mandela, Hero”. The New Yorker. New York, NY. May 7, 2013. Oil painting commissioned to commemorate life of Nelson Mandela, entitled “Madiba”.
Sullivan, J. “Picturing Baseball’s Negro League Greats”. The Boston Globe. Boston, MA. February 24, 2012.
Siek, S. “Q&A: ‘Heart and Soul’ Author Kadir Nelson on illustrating African-American History”. CNN. Atlanta, GA. January 24, 2012.
BBC NEWS “Video: Heart and Soul: Portraits of Black American History”.
Moore, L. “’We Are the Ship’ Negro Baseball League Paintings Now Part of Muskegon Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection”. Muskegon News. December 20, 2011.
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Margolick, D. “Editor’s PIck: Introducing Joe Louis to a New Generation”. New York Times Book Review. New York, NY. April 8, 2011.
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I’ve been an admirer of Kadir’s work for many years. He’s one of the best young artists of our time. - Jackie Jackson (Michael Jackson’s eldest brother) Kadir Nelson is a remarkable artist with a great talent for both painting and powerful storytelling. His work conveys deep emotion, humanity, and a sensitivity that is rare, while at the same time creating a rich context of history and culture within each painting. You feel a connection to his subjects and a desire to know more of the story that they each represent. One of our most successful exhibitions in recent years was We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball which featured Nelson’s larger-than-life original paintings from his book of the same name. Kadir’s paintings captured the hearts and minds of our visitors, and left them wanting more. We are very proud to have three of his paintings now in our Permanent Collection. - Judith Hayner, Executive Director Muskegon Museum of Art Kadir Nelson is one of the most gifted and inspiring artists of our time. Already highly celebrated, collected, and honored, we look forward to his new exhibit. - Norm Nixon and Debbie Allen, Former NBA Champion, Director, Producer, Choreographer Because of Kadir Nelson, I am running out of wall space — and so are my relatives. Mercifully, this is a good thing. - John Moores, Sr. Entrepreneur, Philantrhopist, Former owner of the San Diego Padres Kadir Nelson is one of my favorite new generational artists and has the promise of longevity. - John McClain, Music Executive, Producer Close