From as far back as he can remember, Ken Daley was certain of one thing: he would live his life as an artist. As Ken explains, “Art is what I am.”
Ken Daley is an award-winning Black Canadian artist/illustrator who was born to parents who emigrated from Dominica. His art and illustrations are inspired by his African-Caribbean heritage, and he has exhibited his work in Canada, the US, and the Caribbean. His artwork can be found in numerous private and public collections.
Ken Daley was born in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada to parents who emigrated from Dominica, West Indies. Ken is an honorary graduate from the Art Centre of Central Technical School as well as an architectural technology graduate from Humber College in Toronto. He has exhibited his artwork within Canada, the United States and the Caribbean, and his work can be found in numerous private collections. His work has been featured in children’s books, print publications as well as on television.
Ken has illustrated almost 20 children’s books and is currently working on 5 more titles. He has received an Américas Award Honor Book and a Kirkus Best Picture Book for ‘Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings’, awarded Best Illustration for ‘Black Boy, Black Boy’, as well as a Blue Spruce Award nomination for ‘Granny’s Kitchen’.
Ken draws inspiration for his work from his African-Caribbean roots, his life experiences and the people and cultures he encounters along the way. He explores art through different styles and materials – oil, acrylic, ceramic tiles, wood, nails and found materials – each spilling onto and infusing the other. His work is an explosion of colour and emotion, indelibly marking forever impressions onto the mind of the viewer.
He believes that diverse stories are essential to creating a more just, and equitable world, which he’s deeply committed to manifesting through his art and illustrations.
Over the past few years, Ken has been privileged to work on a variety of children’s books with talented authors and writers.
Hi passion lies with stories that reflect his heritage as the child of immigrants, his connection to the Caribbean, and the richness and expanse of the African Diaspora. Ken believes that diverse stories are essential to creating a more just, and equitable world, and this is something he is deeply committed to manifesting through his art.
Black Boy, Black Boy
This lyrical, rhythmic text encourages boys to imagine everything they can be and the great things they can do, drawing on the strength of people throughout history that paved the way for Black boys today.
Black Boy, Black Boy tells today’s boys: you have the courage, you are the light. It’s a new day! Be inspired and motivated by drawing on the history of the role models that came before you.
Jayden’s Impossible Garden
Timeless and vibrant, this story highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships and the power of imagination and perseverance in bringing the vision of a community garden to life. Jayden’s love of nature will inspire readers to see their environment and surroundings as bursting with opportunities for growth and connection. At the back of the book, readers will find activities to make items found in the book, such as the milk jug bird feeder.
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Author Nadia L. Hohn had a chance to interview illustrator Ken Daley for 28 Days and this what he had to say.
The Journey: My Path to Publishing
My journey into children’s book publishing began unexpectedly, but it was a series of steps that all connected in surprising ways. I started out by going to art school, where I honed my skills as an artist. After graduation, I worked as a greeting card designer, but when the company folded, I decided to take the plunge into becoming a full-time artist and focusing on painting Afro-Caribbean themes and jazz and blues musicians. I spent several years painting and exhibiting my work, which allowed me to grow my craft and explore different mediums.
In 2011, I moved to the U.S. and took a brief hiatus from painting while adjusting to life in a new country. But in 2014, out of the blue, I received a call from a Canadian publisher who had seen my artwork and felt it would be a perfect fit for a new children’s book they were developing. The book, Joseph’s Big Ride, featured a little Black refugee boy from Kenya. At that point, I had never illustrated a children’s book before, so I was hesitant, but the publisher reassured me they would provide support throughout the process.
That experience taught me so much about the process of illustrating a picture book—creating sketches, collaborating with an art director, and bringing the final art to life. I absolutely loved the process, and from there, I was offered another project by another Canadian publisher to illustrate Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings, which featured a young Haitian-American girl. That book went on to be nominated for the Americas Award, and I received the SCBWI New England Diversity Award, which opened even more doors for me.
I then submitted my portfolio to a portfolio exhibition at the SCBWI Annual Conference in New England where I was living at the time, and was amazed when Christy from The C.A.T. Agency reached out to me. I had some imposter syndrome, especially seeing the incredible talent around me, but she loved my work and offered me representation. From there, things really took off, and now I’ve illustrated close to 20 picture books that feature Black characters.
It’s been an unexpected, fulfilling journey, and I’m so grateful for how it’s unfolded. What started with one book has now turned into a wonderful career, and I’m excited for the future!
The Inspiration: Who/What Inspired Me
As an artist, my inspiration comes from a mix of my personal experiences, African and African diasporic culture, art and music, classical art and the world around me. Growing up with a deep connection to my Afro-Caribbean heritage and community has shaped much of my artistic vision. The stories, textures, and colors from my background often find their way into my work, especially when illustrating children’s books that feature Black boys and girls.
I have a long list of artists and illustrators that inspire me and my work: Carly Palmer, Kadir Nelson, Gordon C. James, Ekua Holmes, Jerry Pinkney, Vincent Van Gogh, Cezanne, Romare Bearden, Tom Feelings, and so many more!
I also draw inspiration from the emotional power of storytelling. The idea of being able to bring a story to life through my artwork is something that excites and motivates me every day.
The Process: How I Work
My process for illustrating children’s books begins with immersing myself in the story. I always start by reading the manuscript carefully so I can build a connection with the story and the main character. Once I have a clear vision of the story, I sketch rough drafts of my ideas. This helps me figure out the layout, composition and pacing of the illustrations—especially where page turns will occur. At this stage, I find reference material online that I can use to flesh out the characters and the environments.
I then refine these sketches, adjusting them based on feedback from the author or the art director. When everyone is happy with the direction, I move on to the final artwork. I work digitally using Photoshop and Procreate to bring the characters and scenes to life and paying attention to detail. I love using bold, saturated colours in my illustrations to keep the work looking fresh and attractive to the eye.
The entire process is incredibly rewarding, especially when I see how the illustrations work with the story to create a truly immersive experience for young readers.
THE BUZZ: Reviews and Media Links
- Kirkus Starred reviews: Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings — written by Francie Latour and The Legend of the Spirit Serpent — written by Adaiah Sanford
- Américas Award Honorable Mention: Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings — written by Francie Latour
- 2023 Blue Spruce Award finalist: Granny’s Kitchen — written by Sadé Smith
- 2025 Blue Spruce Award finalist and 2025 Cybils Award finalist: The Little Regent — written by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade
- Winner of Booklist Award for Fiction, Children’s Diverse & Multicultural Book: Summer Island — written by Deborah C. Mortimer
- Honorable Mention for Picture Books, Early Reader in the 24th annual Foreword
- INDIES Book of the Year: Jayden Impossible Garden — written by Mélina Mangal
