Don’t be fooled by the neat, almost minimalist, appearance of Jerry Pinkney's studio in a bucolic corner of Westchester County, New York. Behind closed cabinet doors are volumes upon volumes. African-American history books. A nature library. Art tomes. “Research is important to me,” he says. He reads up as much as possible on any given subject and also photographs live models in historic dress to capture facial expressions and body language.
   Jerry’s keen sense of observation actually began decades ago on the streets of Philadelphia where, as a junior-high student, he sold newspapers and sketched passersby. His drawings impressed Henry cartoonist John Liney, who encouraged him to pursue a career in art. “That was a new idea to me. He opened my eyes to the possibilities.”