About Andre Chaney

Andre Chaney, born April 12, 1998, is an African American contemporary painter, illustrator, and teaching artist from the City of Philadelphia. He is best known for the illustrations he created for the “I Can Read So I Can Lead” children‘s book. Andre began Illustrating at a young age. Chaney found himself fascinated with the artistic style of painter Ernie Barnes from the acclaimed television show Good Times which led to his appreciation of art at an early age. In his adolescent years, he would focus on developing a stylistic approach to his drawings seeking guidance from local art organizations such as Moore College of Art and Design and Mural Arts Philadelphia. In 2016 Andre traveled from his hometown in Philadelphia to San Francisco, California to study at the California College of the Arts to further his artistic ability. During his time there he developed a style that combined realism and impressionism into his original paintings and illustrations to create works of art that were inspired by books and graphic novels he loved as a child. In 2020, he decided to combine his passion for art and reading by illustrating his first children’s book “I Can Read So I Can Lead” and has illustrated four books to date. He’s found an immense love for illustrating children’s books because of the messages they can convey and the experience it creates for both the artist and the reader! Chaney believes that the various mediums and visual styles that can be utilized to tell a compelling narrative-based story while blending imaginative writing is a perfect combination for bringing people together. His books are housed in schools and libraries across Philadelphia and other states such as Nevada, Georgia, and California. He has even been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss his artwork and children’s books. He intends to continue leaving positive narrative-shifting messages within his children’s books and original paintings.