The life of visionary folk artist and labor organizer Ralph Fasanella
stunningly illustrated for picture book readers.
When dared to jump, Ralph always took the dare. So begins this loving
tribute to a singular artist and his tireless efforts to honor and
celebrate immigrant and working-class communities through his paintings.
Born in 1914 New York City to Italian immigrants, Ralph's youth was one
of dress factories, ice deliveries, union meetings, and Momma's stories
of the Bread & Roses Strike around the dinner table. By teaching himself
how to paint, Ralph discovered a new way to reach working people: he
would depict their lives, their work, and American history with electric
color at a grand scale.
Focusing on themes of social justice, immigrant rights, labor rights,
and the dignity of working people, I'm Gonna Paint inspires to give a
new generation the confidence to continue the fight for better working
conditions.
Anne Broyles taps into Ralph's indomitable spirit to show his evolution
as an artist, while Victoria Tentler-Krylov's energetic art leaps off
the page with wonder and homages to Ralph's style. Meticulously
researched with quotes from Ralph to underline his philosophy and
approach to artmaking, the robust back matter includes reproductions of
his paintings, historical photos, a timeline, a bibliography, a source
notes, and much more.
