Eric Velasquez

Illustrator and young children's writer Eric Velasquez, the son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents, was born in Spanish Harlem and grew up in Harlem, New York. His dual heritage, coupled with the experience of living in dual cultures in New York City, gives Mr. Velasquez a rich and unique cultural perspective.

As a child, his love for doodling and drawing was strongly encouraged by his mother. From his grandmother he inherited a love of music, and from his father he developed a love of film. Growing up in this setting, Mr. Velasquez says, "Becoming an artist was a natural choice for me. I have never thought of being anything else."

Mr. Velasquez attended the High School of Art and Design and earned his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 1983. In 1984 he completed a year of studies with Harvey Dinnerstein at the Art Student's League and began his career as a freelance illustrator.

Over the next 12 years he completed a body of illustrated work of more than 300 book jackets. In 1997 he illustrated his first picture book, The Piano Man by Debbie Chocolate, for which he received the 1999 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for new talent. Mr. Velasquez says he approached this project, "as a Technicolor movie extravaganza."

Mr. Velasquez expanded his artistic range when he authored and illustrated Grandma's Records. This autobiographical picture book is based on his childhood in Spanish Harlem. Mr. Velasquez describes this book as an inspirational tribute to his grandmother. "This was an emotional journey through time to the place I come from."

Grandma's Records has been translated to Spanish for publication in the United States and internationally.