His subjects have included Muhammad Ali, Sojourner Truth, Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong and Richard Wright.

And with each children's book he's illustrated, artist R. Gregory Christie has learned something.

"I never knew about Bass Reeves, the deputy marshal, or that Louis Armstrong invented scat singing," says Christie while in Texas at a book signing for "Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal."

"Every book is a lesson for me, too."

The three-time Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner will be visiting the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design today to present an exploration of his work and artistic process as a children's book illustrator.

 After the talk, Christie will hold a book signing, followed by a public reception for PCA&D's Mosaic Project, in which he is one of two featured artists, including Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia.

Christie is especially interested in reaching out to art students at PCA&D to encourage them.

Christie knows all too well how art can educate, inspire, guide and provide a sense of purpose. He has been drawing since he was a very young child growing up in New Jersey.

"I was a very quiet, shy boy. I didn't talk much, but art gave me a voice. And now I am much more outgoing, and even gregarious," said Christie, using a play on his name of Greg — as in Greg-arious.

Even his website — www.GAS-art.com — stands for "gregarious art statements."

Christie has certainly learned to express himself, both visually and verbally. His art is bold, vibrant, energetic and lively. He most often illustrates the human form, using elongated figures and thoughtful faces. There are influences of 1920s artists such as Klee and Picasso, with hints of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jacob Lawrence and Diego Riviera.

And no wonder. Back in the '90s, when Christie was a fine arts student at New York City's School of the Visual Arts, he was fortunate to land a job as a security guard at the Guggenheim Museum of Art, where he spent time watching over the work of many of the world's most notable modern artists.

One of the things that thrilled him back then was seeing all the dark-skinned and ethnic figures in the artwork. Seeing that made Christie feel validated as an artist, anxious to make his own mark on the art world painting all sorts of people, but most often "brown-skinned" people that represent his own heritage. Even as an illustrator for children's books, that is a vital factor.

"I choose to illustrate manuscripts that shed light upon historical figures and give a sense of dignity to the many cultures on this planet," says Christie.

And he doesn't ever talk down to readers, no matter their age.

"Some people say my work is edgy for children's books," says Christie. "When I paint images for younger children's books, I use brighter colors and abstract forms. In chapter books for older readers, I tend to use darker earth colors with images that translate into work that could be in a contemporary art show."

Christie started his career in art by creating work for the covers of various jazz records. He moved into children's books, with "The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children," edited by Davida Adedjouma, in 1996. With his children's book debut, he received the American Library Association's 1997 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Then he went on to win two more Coretta Scott King Honor Awards — in 2000 for "Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth" and again in 2006 for "Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan."

His most recent illustrated book is about Bass Reeves, possibly the first African American deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi.

"The Mosaic Project:

R. Gregory Christie and Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia"

Christie artist's talk, today at 4 p.m.

book signing, tonight from 5-6

Artist reception,tonight from 6-9

Exhibit cont. through Nov. 21

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free

Pa. College of Art and Design

204 N. Prince St., 396-7833
www.pcad.edu.