Giselle Potter, children’s author and illustrator
20th century-

The Year I Didn’t Go to School by Giselle Potter (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2002)
What a year! Traveling around Italy with her family’s theater troupe when she was seven, Potter gives a first-person account of this magical time.
Puppeters of America can link you up with a guild, festival or event in the US and Canada.
Maud Lewis, artist
Mar. 7, 1903-July 30, 1970
Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Mark Lang (Tundra Books, 2002)
Lewis, a Canadian artist who had physical disabilities, painted amazing images in a primitive folk art style. Five-star inspirational.
To learn more about this gifted artist, visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Michelangelo, artist
Mar. 6, 1475-Feb. 18, 1564

Michelangelo by Diane Stanley (HarperTrophy reprint, 2003)
Michelangelo’s life and art, including the Pieta and the Sistine Chapel are at the forefront of this detailed picture book biography about him.
Click over to the WebMuseum, Paris for more info on Michelangelo.
by Anne on February 13, 2010
Grant Wood, artist
Feb. 13, 1891-Feb. 12, 1942

Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood by John Duggleby (Chronicle, 1996)
A picture book biography about the man who grew up to paint American Gothic showcases his love of the Heartland and determination to paint his own way.
Going Back to Iowa: The World of Grant Wood looks at Woods’ world and work.
by Anne on February 8, 2010
Waterhouse Hawkins, artist
Feb. 8, 1807-1889

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2001)
This is the story of a man with a vision and talent. Hawkins was passionate about dinos and it led him to build life-size models of them.
From an article in Prehistoric Times Magazine, see drawings of Hawkins’ work and read more about him.