Richard Michelson
Richard Michelson is a poet, children’s book author, and art dealer who does not generally speak of himself in the third person, so…
I was born on July 3rd, 1953 in East New York, Brooklyn, where my dad had a small hardware store. We were 100% secular, though the area was 90% Jewish. Within 12 years it would be 90% African-American, and spark my lifelong exploration of racial issues. I write about the neighborhood and my Dad’s death in some of my poetry, and essays; episodes from my childhood are touched on in my children’s books, so I will not repeat myself here.
When I was 19, I got a job traveling the country selling fine-art reproductions out of the back of my van. Previous to that, I had never stepped foot in a museum or an art gallery; nor was I much of a reader. I toured the mid-west for 3 years, and fell in love—with art, with literature, and with my wife—before I challenged my boss to the fateful game of ping-pong that would change my life (it’s a long story), and cause Kurt Vonnegut (I’ll drop more names later) to christen me “The Ping-Pong Hustler.” Suffice it to say I ended up with enough cash to start my first small gallery in 1976. Three years later I came back east and started R.Michelson Galleries, which would grow from a 72 foot space in a hippie-mall corridor, to a 4-story monumental old bank building with 60′ ceilings and marble floors. It was here where I would first be introduced to the world of illustrated books.
I have been more than fortunate to have had such a great response to my poetry and my picture books. I wish I could thank each and every one of you individually. I have gotten a chance to travel the world, and meet and hang out with many of America’s greatest artists and illustrators and poets. (And no, I am not Leonard Nimoy’s long-lost son, no matter what you have heard).
When and why did you begin writing and/or illustrating children's books?
I started out writing and publishing poetry for adults, and writing for children was far from my mind. I did not read children’s books as a child and when my own children were young, I didn’t read children’s books to them. The first book my daughter recalls hearing me read to her and her friends during one of their 2nd grade sleepovers was Kafka’s Metamorphosis, which is what I was reading at the time. I opened R. Michelson Galleries (www.RMichelson.com) in 1979 and the first artist I represented was Barry Moser. In 1985 Barry told me he’d gotten a call from an editor asking if he wanted to illustrate a children’s book. “A children’s book?” I asked in disbelief. Barry’s reputation rested on challenging, often sexually twisted engravings. I advised against it. “Are you going to start painting cute little watercolor Bunnies?” I asked in mocking tones. In fact, Barry was commissioned to illustrate Jump, the Adventures of Brer Rabbit. In short I was introduced to a whole world I knew nothing about. The best of children’s books, I had to admit, were the equal in both skill and vision to anything I had been reading, or seeing in my favorite museums. My two passions were art and poetry. How could I have been unaware that the best of both was often combined in the form of picture books? I fell in love with the form.
What inspires or informs your writing and/or art?
Most of my books fall into two categories. I love playing with words and rhythms and I’ve written a number of poetry books for children that range from pure silliness to more formal rhythms.
I am also fascinated by history, and many of my books are about race and social justice issues. When I was born, East New York, Brooklyn was 95% Jewish. A short 12 years later, less than 5% of those living in the neighborhood were Jews. The subject of how we negotiate our differences and heal our wounds interests me in a profound way and I believe young children are dealing with similar issues every day: how to make friends; how to do what is right and speak out against injustice; how to be themselves and still fit in with their peers.
I try to tap into these issues and give a larger historical context for the things kids are already thinking about. But of course it has to be wrapped up in a good and exciting story. Nobody likes to be lectured.
What do you want young readers to learn or take away from your work?
That playing with words and stories is fun. And that each person has the power to make a difference in the world.
Is there an artist or writer you would consider and mentor and why?
I have so many mentors that it is difficult to choose, and luckily I don’t have to. In my “day job” as a gallery owner I have been fortunate to become friends with, and work alongside many of the major talents of our day, from Sendak and Feiffer to the younger generation of masters like Mo Willems. I learned how to pace a picture book from Barry Moser and Jane Yolen, and Leonard Baskin tutored me in type and design. But every illustrator I have worked with or represented has taught me wonderful lessons.
Did you have any formal writing or art education, if so, where?
I have an MFA in Poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts, but my art education has come from the many artists I represent at R. Michelson Galleries.
Do you have a favorite published book? If so, what makes it special?
Since it is customary to compare your books to your children, how can I choose? But okay, if you promise not to tell anyone. “Across the Alley,” which was a National Jewish Book Award finalist is about two next door neighbors. During the day they aren’t allowed to play together, because Abe is Jewish and Willie is black. But their bedroom windows face each other’s, and at night, when nobody is watching, they become best friends. Because this is set in my old Brooklyn neighborhood, and is a fictionalized version of my younger self, it retains a special place in my heart.
