Romare Bearden was an African American artist and writer. He worked in collages, sharing his life's experiences, especially from scenes in the American South. Bearden turned to music, co-writing the hit song Sea Breeze, which was recorded by Billy Eckstine and Dizzy Gillespie; it is still considered a jazz classic.

"I'm like a trumpet player blowing loud, then dropping back.
When I put a beat of color on an empty canvas, I never know what's coming down the track." -- Bearden

My favorite quote from the book is,

"You put down one color, and it calls for an answer. You have to look at it like a melody."

Just like jazz, with all of its free form improvisation, so it is with the collages of this artist. Romare's hands truly sing the blues when he would cut, paste and glue. There is complexity in his style and the author captures the rhythm of his life's journey superbly! Bearden was born on Sept 2, 1911. 2011 marks 100th year of his legacy.

Jeanne Harvey begins Romare's story in South Carolina, with pictures of natural surroundings in soft earth tones, while Romare remembers his family roots with his great grandparents and then travels aboard a train to New York, with visual signs of social injustice all around.

I must say that Elizabeth Zunon captures the story pictures well of Bearden's complex and colorful artwork. For more information regarding his artwork, visit Romare Bearden's Skilled Lines

While visiting the beautiful city of San Francisco with family and friends, I enjoyed the vibrant dance that only a city can bring with its tall buildings, the brightly colored painted walls in the neighborhood and street musicians in the park.

I love this beautiful hardcover book and have re-read it over and over to one of my grandsons because the gift of creativity is to be shared, for it is alive. Bearden's work commands our respect! In addition, you will want to read the valuable end notes towards the back of the book to glean an excellent overview of one man's artistic influence around the 1920s while the world of jazz was was happening during the Harlem Renaissance.

Harvey's presentation and tribute to Romare Bearden's Childhood Journey is brilliant and inspiring!*****

I highly recommend this one to all parents, grandparents, musicians and artists. It is a fabulous picture book! ( )