Part of the bestselling Little People, Big Dreams series, this picture book biography of artist David Hockney is cheery and bright.
When David was a child in England, he loved to draw and later pursued his dream in art school. At the time, the book tells us, “Many gay people couldn’t love who they wanted to and hid their feelings, but David refused to do so.” We aren’t told here why they couldn’t love who they wanted, but further biographical details in the backmatter note that being gay was criminalized at the time.
He also “wanted to paint what he saw as beautiful” and convinced his teachers to hire a male model (tastefully drawn with a drape around his waist), whom he painted while the other students drew women.
The book then follows him through his first art exhibition and his move to California (where he was inspired by the many swimming pools). He loved painting pictures of everyday life, family, and friends, and even his two dogs, but also pioneered many artistic techniques, including ones in digital media. Even though he is now over 80, he still finds joy in making art and sharing it with the world, the story concludes.
Backmatter includes a timeline, photographs of Hockney, and further details of his life and work.
A simple but solid biography with bright, blocky illustrations befitting his modern aesthetic.
