Best-selling children's book on Obama brings changes for young Texas artist

Great story about a local Texas artist. I added a link to his children's book in the carousel to the right or here. Mr Ford has alot ahead of him.

Few knew his name when he landed in the public eye, having banked on timing, a distinctive style and a staunch work ethic.

No, not the president-elect.

Now, AG Ford, a 23-year-old artist who grew up in Garland, finds himself on The New York Times' best-seller list with the publication of his first full-picture children's book, Barack.

The recent college graduate – whose workspace looks more like a poster-tacked college dorm than a professional designer's office – is adjusting to out-of-state book signings and regular calls from publisher HarperCollins.

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The 32-page book, written by Jonah Winter, profiles Barack Obama's track to the presidency and came out Sept. 30. It hit No. 6 on The New York Times' best-seller list for children's books the week of Nov. 23. It currently ranks 10th in children's book sales at Target and 50th among all books sold by the chain store.

(snip)

The book's stylized proportions and photo realism typify Mr. Ford's drawings, said Mr. Payne, as does hard work. The young illustrator spent 13 hours a day sketching, smudging and erasing Barack images for 2 1/2 months.