Born in Washington, DC, raised in Fort Washington, Maryland, Gordon C. James has been pursuing an art career ever since attending high school at Suitland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Forestville, Maryland. From there he went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration from School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Gordon was one of only two full time illustrators hired to work for Hallmark Cards Inc. After Hallmark, he became an award winning fine artist. His beautiful figurative paintings being featured in International Artist Magazine and his work is part of the Paul R. Jones Collection at the University of Alabama. \ Gordon brings the same passion to his illustrations. They are soulful, emotive and technically sound. He works hard so that we know how the characters look and most importantly exactly how they feel. Gordon C. James is now a best selling, award winning children’s book illustrator. Among his many accolades are Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honors and a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. He is also the only illustrator to have won the prestigious Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature twice. His work includes CROWN AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT, I AM EVERY GOOD THING, LET ‘ER BUCK! and the upcoming title JUST LIKE JESSE OWENS, written by Ambassador Andrew Young as told to Paula Shelton Young.
Gordon C. James lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife Ingrid and their two children Astrid and Gabriel and Rascal the dog. He is proud to create beautiful works of art that help to tell stories and bring books to life.
Gordon C. James’work can be seen at:
