Michele Wood

michele wood portrait

Michele Wood is an artist whose work defies all boundaries. As a painter, illustrator, designer and writer, she has gained wide recognition in the United States. She has been honored with the prestigious American Book Award for her first book, Going Back Home and by the American Library Association with the 1999 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for her book, I See the Rhythm. Her work, which has been exhibited in major venues nationally, reflects an essential sense of history and place. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. www.michelewood.com, iseetherhythm.com.

Michele Wood is the recipient of over 30 awards and honors. Michele was awarded the Ashley Bryan Illustrator Children Book Award in 2012. Her Art quilt was chosen for Glory Kilanko’s Video at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in 2012. The release of I Lay My Stitches Down, text by Cynthia Grady, won the 2013 Gold Nautilus award, 2012 recipient of the NYPL Children’s Book List and more.

Michele’s art has been exhibited in museums and galleries in the USA. Her art is included in private art collections the Indiana State Museum, Tubman Museum and more. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, the amazing story of Michele’s rise as an artist began with her graduation in 1991 from the American College for Applied Arts- last named American Intercontinental University in Atlanta, Georgia under Steve Steinman. In 1994, the Apex Museum awarded the artist with a grant that allowed her to embark upon a pilgrimage to Yoruba Land in Africa. She was mentored by the international acclaimed sculpture Lamidi Olande Fakaye. It gave Michele an appreciation for aesthetics and led to her first publication Going Back Home: An Artist Return to the South (1996), a book that explores her family’s rural Southern heritage. Wood drew inspiration from her African heritage, Southern African-American roots, American quilts, African textiles and everyday experiences.

Radio Shows featuring Michele Wood

In Literary Color Books crpped BTR

Celebrating Black History – In Literary Color

Step into the words and paintings of award-winning writers and artists as we celebrate black history in literary color. Award-winning artist Michele Wood’s work reflects a deep sense of history and place. As a painter, illustrator, designer and writer, she has gained wide recognition and has earned multiple awards including … Read more  

United States History Literature & Music
MA Song Photo

Travels with Maya Angelou, Ellis Marsalis, Sandra Izsadore and Michele Wood

In one of her last interviews, the late Dr. Maya Angelou spent time with us to share her early life, lessons learned along her adult journey and golden nuggets of wisdom. Artist Michele Wood is a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator who joins us to explore American history through Gospel … Read more  

North America Literature & Music The Arts
detroit

A conversation with Maya Angelou and revisiting Detroit

In what would become one of her final interviews, World Footprints enjoyed a intimate chat with “Global Renaissance Woman” Dr. Maya Angelou.  Dr. Angelou shared some wisdom, insights and stories from her incredible life’s journey, including the transitional relationship with her mother Vivian Baxter.  Her mother shared messages of courage, hope, forgiveness … Read more  

United States Insights Literature & Music
african american migration

America’s Great Migration, Gospel and Panda-monia

World Footprints travels today in celebration of gospel music, in the enjoyment of Panda havens, and in search of the warmth of other suns.  First, Coretta Scott King Illustrator award-winning artist Michele Wood will join us to talk about her newest book, I See the Rhythm of Gospel.  Then, TV … Read more  

United States History Social Responsibility