Christian Robinson

Christian Robinson is passionate about telling stories with pictures.  Born in Hollywood, California in 1986, he grew up in a small one-bedroom apartment with his brother, two cousins, aunt, and grandmother.  Drawing became a way to make space for himself in a world crowded with loving others. “We didn’t have a lot growing up, but I at least always had a pencil, paper. I couldn’t control the circumstances around me, but I could at least, you know, decide what I wanted on that piece of paper, what sort of world I wanted to create.”

Christian’s artwork grew to be a visionary expression of the world as he wished it was.  After studying animation at the California Institute of the Arts and securing an internship at Pixar Animation Studios, a chance meeting at the studio resulted in his first picture book gig based on the characters form the movie Up (2009).  A dedicated artist from childhood, Christian has worked tirelessly to illustrate 17 books in his distinctive, engaging, beautiful cut paper style.  His many accolades include a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for “Last Stop on Market Street” (2015), as well as numerous starred reviews in prestigious children’s literature publications. He prioritizes depicting all kinds of children in his illustrations: “Picture books especially are many children’s first introduction to the world.  Seeing yourself is almost like a message, it’s saying: you matter, you are visible, and you’re valuable.”

He currently lives in northern California with his rescue greyhound Baldwin and several houseplants.

Related Exhibitions: Christian Robinson: What Might You Do? (2020)