Out of the Shadows: An Artist's Journey

by Neil Waldman

The compelling story of a torn family whose children grew up to be first-class artists will captivate young readers. How does a child grow up to become an artist? Where does the journey begin? For Neil Waldman, it began with finger paints in the kitchen of his family's Bronx apartment, with a mother who possessed a very special book from of paintings by an artist who signed his work with the name Vincent. Finger painting and drawing, however, were more than playtime activities. In the middle of the night, Neil and his siblings would hear the terrible screams of his parents as they fought. The children found that art was a means of surviving the anger and sadness that surrounded them. The book feature more than forty fine-art reproductions and pencil drawings by Bruce, Bryna, and Neil Waldman.

Genres: Art, Biography

148 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2006

About the author

Neil Waldman's paintings and prints are included in many prestigious collections around the world. His oils, acrylics and watercolors may be seen in the capital buildings of more than a dozen nations, and in numerous major corporations.

.....His works have garnered many awards and honours. Notable among these is a gold medal from the United Nations in a closed international competition in which Waldman was chosen to represent the United States. The world body selected his entry as the official poster for the International Year of Peace. Today it hangs in the halls of the U. N. General Assembly.

.....Waldman was commissioned by the American Brands Corporation to paint the portraits of twenty famous Americans for their centennial exhibition "The American Achievers". This collection traveled to museums, galleries and exhibit halls around the country, and was eventually published in a book of the same name. Waldman has designed postage stamps for thirteen nations, written and illustrated more than fifty books for young people, and won the Christopher Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Parents Choice Award, the American Library Association Notable Award, and a host of others. In addition, he has illustrated the covers of seven Newbery Award winners.

.....In the Summer of 2006, Waldman created the Fred Dolan Art Academy in the Bronx, along with his long-time friend, Marc Broxmeyer. The Academy's purpose is to provide motivated Bronx teenagers with the skills necessary in the development of portfolios for entry into art college. To date, twenty-one students have graduated from the academy, all twenty-one going on to college with scholarships.

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there was a way to note how a book came to be on my "want-to-read" list because too often I forget. This was the case with Out of the Shadows. It turned out to be a biography written for children, but I found it a worthwhile read for myself. The author's memories and family relationships, especially in relation to his ultimate career as an author and illustrator, were interesting and written beautifully. There was an interesting point where his mother explains to him the difference between what the Christians and the Jews believe when it comes to Jesus. There was another point near the end that had me concerned when he learned - and used! - his first grown-up cuss word. Thankfully, it was used as a lesson, and he goes on to explain why that was the last time he used one.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable memoir about art and inspiration.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did my book talk on this book for class. It is touching and inspiring.