At the Brooklyn Museum

Looking for something to do this Saturday? I'll be signing books at the Brooklyn Museum alongside a plethora of other Brooklyn illustrators and authors. Hope to see you!

A Meeting w/ Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee! Giant Steps to Change the World!

Ever since I moved to Brooklyn, I've always wanted to meet Spike Lee...Now it's finally happened!!! Spike and his wife Tonya Lewis Lee wrote an outstanding children's book that they asked me to illustrate! And here's the video of them chatting about it. Look for it in Jan. 2011! View on Youtube

Skit-Scat and all that Jazz - ELLA!!!

SKIT-SCAT RAGGEDY CAT: ELLA FITZGERALD, my latest book, has received two starred reviews!!!




Written by Roxane Orgill, the book focuses on Ella's early life in Yonkers, where she would dance in the street to earn money. After her mother dies she and her younger sister go to live with their aunt in Harlem.

Young Ella had a tough time living with her aunt. She began singing on the streets again as she did in Yonkers.



It was at the Apollo Theater's Amateur night where her true talent came through. Too nervous to dance, she sang instead and thus, a star was born.





Publisher's Weekly calls it "An unforgettable portrait of an artist whose faith in herself carried her when little else did."
And School Library Journal says "Qualls firmly establishes himself as a leading illustrator of jazz biographies for children. He uses rich reds and blues to illustrate the history of this quintessentially American art form."

My earliest memories of Ella was this tv commercial she did for memorex.

Brooklyn Illustrators @ Brooklyn Public Library - Drawn in Brooklyn

Just got back from installing part of an exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library. The show will feature work from thirty-some Brooklyn children's book illustrators and go from Sept. 21st 2010 to Jan. 23rd 2011. See full details on flyer below.

There's an online auction where you can bid on my piece or work by other artists at very affordable prices. Auction here.
But act soon because this auction ends this Friday at 12pm EST. In addition, the winner also will receive a copy of the book...not too shabby.

GIANT ROBOT - small favors

Small Favors is a group show hosted by GIANT ROBOT that focuses on small/affordable art. I will have 2 pieces in the show - "Star Power" and "Inside Out." Both pieces are 5"x5". The show opens this Saturday. More info below. Click here to preview more of the art. Other artist include Selina Alko, Jordin Isip, Deth P. Sun, Rodger Stevens, Ric Stultz and Gary Taxali.
Giant Robot Gallery
437 East 9th Street
Between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, in the East Village
New York, New York 10009
(212) 674-GRNY (4769) | grny.net

Reception: Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

March 27, 2010 - April 14, 2010

Little Cloud and Lady Wind by Toni Morrison/Slade Morrison

Today is the official pub date for the latest book that I've illustrated - LITTLE CLOUD & LADY WIND written by Toni Morrison and her son Slade. I'm so honored to be part of this project w/ one of my literary heroes and one of the giants of literature! Order a copy from your favorite bookstore.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Qualls Christmas 1969.

Book Fair @ The Brooklyn Museum

Looking for something to do this Saturday? I'll be taking part in this book fair at the Brooklyn Museum from 12-4pm. Start your holiday shopping early!

SQ + IQ Collaborations

My four year old son Isaiah and I collaborate on projects from time to time. For awhile, he was really interested in princess stories...so we created our own. Here's the cover and a few pages. My wife Selina, helped out as well. In addition to being the co-illustrator, Isaiah is the author.


Despite my attempts to control the process, Isaiah does whatever he wants with the art.


Often times, I am happily surprised by his choices. Selina drew the giant.