Artist's Bio
Jesse Joshua Watson is an award winning, NY Times Bestselling illustrator and author whose work includes Hope for Haiti, Chess Rumble, and the Hank Zipzer series.
Whether
hammocking in Brazil, exploring in Hong Kong, dodging taxis
in Russia, studying art in Europe, dancing in Jamaica, or raising
kids in Port Townsend, Washington, Jesse connects with people.
He loves both the differences and the similarities that are
so colorfully displayed across our diverse world. Jesse's passion
and appreciation of people is voiced through his brush and on
his canvas.
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His
illustrations have been featured in magazines, art publications,
CD covers and children's books.
Jesse is the illustrator of many books, including the NY Times Bestselling Hank Zipzer series
by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, I AND I - Bob Marley, written by Tony Medina, the award winning, ALA Notable CHESS RUMBLEChess
Rumble by G. Neri, the Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series by Sharon Draper and These Things I Wish by Lee Pitts.
Jesse is excited to present the first book, both written and illustrated by him, HOPE FOR HAITI, published by Putnam.
Jesse's upcoming book, Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri will be released Fall 2011 from Candlewick.
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Jesse's
artwork has been displayed in galleries, cafes, clubs and a
museum. He was awarded Grand Prize Winner
in 2005 and finalist in 2006 at the international Society of Children's Book Writers
and Illustrators New York Showcase, juried by art
directors from several major publishing houses. He has also shown at the Society of Illustrators
Gallery in New York, in which two pieces won Honorable Mention
during juried contests.
Jesse
lives with his wife, Mariah, and their boys in Washington. In addition to writing and illustrating books, exhibiting
fine art, and teaching art to kids, Jesse is infatuated with
growing bamboo, plays soccer religiously, and surfs the chilly NW waters as often as he
can.
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