A picture book biography celebrating the first known Black female tattoo artist in the U.S., Jacci Gresham, co-authored by Jacci herself, and with stylish, accessible artwork by David Wilkerson
How to make your mark? Express yourself: From coloring outside the lines to creating her own clothes, expressing herself through art made Jacci Gresham feel confident. Keep an open mind: When Jacci started out, women getting tattooed was considered distasteful. Women giving tattoos was unheard of. And a Black woman tattoo artist? Jacci was the first. Practice every day: Jacci studied her craft. She developed new inking techniques for Black and brown skin. And she welcomed everyone into her New Orleans shop, including women of every color, shape, and size. Stand up for what you believe: From art class to artist, Jacci Gresham pushed boundaries, and she never took no for an answer. Jacci made her mark. How will you make yours?
“Part autobiography, part advice book . . . Inspiring." —Booklist "Informative and inspirational." —Kirkus
“Part autobiography, part advice book, this picture book [shows how] Gresham challenged and changed the perceptions regarding women and tattoos . . . Vibrant and colorful, [this is] an inspiring story of a formidable woman changing the world through her art. —Booklist
"Retracing her artistic development, from her rejection of an elementary school art teacher’s instruction to 'stay in the lines' to her determined quests for just the right inks, colors, and designs for dark skin, [Jacci Gresham concludes her story,] “This is how I make my mark" . . . “How will you make yours?” Informative and inspirational." —Kirkus
A picture book biography celebrating the first known Black female tattoo artist in the U.S., Jacci Gresham, co-authored by Jacci herself, and with stylish, accessible artwork by David Wilkerson
How to make your mark? Express yourself: From coloring outside the lines to creating her own clothes, expressing herself through art made Jacci Gresham feel confident. Keep an open mind: When Jacci started out, women getting tattooed was considered distasteful. Women giving tattoos was unheard of. And a Black woman tattoo artist? Jacci was the first. Practice every day: Jacci studied her craft. She developed new inking techniques for Black and brown skin. And she welcomed everyone into her New Orleans shop, including women of every color, shape, and size. Stand up for what you believe: From art class to artist, Jacci Gresham pushed boundaries, and she never took no for an answer. Jacci made her mark. How will you make yours?
“Part autobiography, part advice book . . . Inspiring." —Booklist "Informative and inspirational." —Kirkus
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Praise
“Part autobiography, part advice book, this picture book [shows how] Gresham challenged and changed the perceptions regarding women and tattoos . . . Vibrant and colorful, [this is] an inspiring story of a formidable woman changing the world through her art. —Booklist
"Retracing her artistic development, from her rejection of an elementary school art teacher’s instruction to 'stay in the lines' to her determined quests for just the right inks, colors, and designs for dark skin, [Jacci Gresham concludes her story,] “This is how I make my mark" . . . “How will you make yours?” Informative and inspirational." —Kirkus
