Gordon C. James is the award-winning illustrator of CROWN: AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT, written by Derrick Barnes, for which Gordon received the Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Honor and Ezra Jack Keats Honor awards, among others. Some of his other works include illustrations of Patricia McKissack’s SCRAPS OF TIME series.

Born in Washington, DC and raised in Fort Washington, Maryland, Gordon has been pursuing an art career ever since attending high school at Suitland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Forestville, Maryland. From there, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

After a national search in 1997, Gordon was one of only two full-time illustrators hired to work for Hallmark Cards Inc. As an award-winning fine artist, Gordon works to achieve the highest level of craftsmanship and beauty. These qualities have led to his paintings being featured in International Artist Magazine and his work being part of the Paul R. Jones Collection at the University of Alabama. He brings these same sensibilities to the table when creating his illustrative work. Gordon’s illustrations are soulful, emotive and technically sound. He works hard so that we know how the characters look and, more importantly, exactly how they feel. As a testament to these qualities, his illustrations were part of an exhibition at the Asheville Art Museum in Asheville, North Carolina. Among the many awards Gordon has received for his work is a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal.

Gordon C. James lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife Ingrid and their two children, Astrid and Gabriel. He is proud to create beautiful works of art that help to tell stories and bring books to life.