Upload
aubrie-patterson
View
216
Download
3
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Biography of Tomie dePaola
By Carly Part
Childhood of Thomas Anthony de Paola…
• Born on September 15, 1934 in Meriden, Connecticut. • Two parents, father was barber.• Drawing and dancing were childhood passions. Raised
money for family through tap dancing. • Had exceptional memory. • Worked in drama throughout high school.
Growing up…
• Scholarship to the Pratt Institute in New York, where he said he “spent four years learning how to draw everything” and “realizing other artists do exist.”
• Inspired by art galleries & Ben Shahn. • After graduating, Tomie went through what he likes to
call his “Brief Period”. Tomie joined the monastery for 6 months and got married for a year.
The Ups & the Downs
• Visited companies but artwork was rejected.• Met agent Florence Alexander, and illustrated his first
book- Science book titled Sound, by Lisa Miler. • Wrote/Illustrated first book The Wonderful Dragon of
Timlin• Lived in California briefly, but returned to New
Hampshire, where he currently resides. • Working as an associate professor at New England
College, and teaches theater design. • Has written over 200 books, & continues to visit schools.
A Reader/Writer from the start…
• Always wanted to be an artist- “Small town success”• Mother read aloud to family every night. • This brought on a love for reading and became a young,
determined reader: Learning How to Read• 1st teacher, Mrs. Kiniry, encouraged him in the arts.• Walt Disney encouraged him to keep practicing.
Current Tomie Stats!
• Tomie is not married, nor has children. • Lives in New London, New Hampshire.
• Lives his dog, Bronte. • Hobbies include cooking, gardening, painting, movies,
shopping and eating popcorn. • Currently working on a new book of New England
folktales. • “I don't mind being "that artist fella who writes books and
lives up on County Road in that big place behind the gas station."