About
I was born in Hawaii and spent my early childhood there until my family moved to Southern California. I have loved drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil. I would carry my sketchbook everywhere I went so that I could draw everything in my imagination and everything around me. The minute I held that pencil in my little hand, I knew it was the ticket to my imagination! I dreamed of being an artist, wanting to share my ideas with everyone, especially children.
From that point on I focused on drawing and painting, and graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. In my senior year, I entered my artwork to the Student Show and received 2 awards. Since then I have been featured in Artist's Magazine, Skipping Stones, Utah Valley Magazine, The Daily Herald, Art Quench Magazine, and the Big Bear Grizzly Newspaper.
I have also done work for New Moon Magazine, Ladybug Magazine, Core Knowledge, KRBY Creations LLC, The Friend Magazine, and many others. Some of my favorite books that I illustrated are "The Giraffe that Ate the Moon" by Babl Books, "Maddy Lou and Mack at the State Fair of Texas" by Brown Books Kids, "Back to School with Mac" by Little Pumpkin Press, and "Rock a Bye Baby Hawaii" by BeachHouse Publishing. Two of my books received awards- "Happy Trails with Abby and Taz" and "Lucas the Lion Loves the Tiny Talker" both published by Brown Books Kids, and both won an award from Moonbeam Children’s Books Award.
I have 2 new books coming soon! “Canines Unleashed” and “Happy Trails with Abby and Taz Rocky Roads”. Look out for it soon!
I also do art licensing so you may find my art at your local store or in your home! You can see some of my new art licensing work under the “Art Licensing” tab. I also have a YouTube channel where you will find easy step-by-step tutorial videos on how to draw! It’s perfect for everyone, especially for kids. Grab a pencil and paper and have some fun! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVIIQH48I3KBLG1kIBIr7Pg
When I'm not working on a new project or book, you can find me having fun with my 2 daughters and husband...or just relaxing at the beach in sunny Los Angeles, or hiking in the mountains of Montana and Utah! You can find more about me and my art on X @alvinakwong, Facebook @alvinakwongillustrator, and Instagram @alvinakwongillustrator. See you there!
E-mail: alvinakwongillustrator (at) gmail (dot) com
AWARDS
moonbeam children’s books award in animals/pets fiction - 2019 silver “Happy Trails with abby and taz” by Dr. christina brown, published by brown books kids.http://www.moonbeamawards.com/87/winners/2019-winners
moonbeam children’s Books Award in print categories - 2019 silver “Lucas the lion loves the tiny talker” by Ryan Rollen and Brittani Rollen, published by brown books kids. http://www.moonbeamawards.com/87/winners/2019-winners
Moonbeam Children's Books Award in juvenile fiction - 2015 "Broccoli Chronicles"
National Indie Excellence Award -Children's Fiction Chapter Book 2015 "Broccoli Chronicles" http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2015-winners.htm
FOREWOrd Magazine - Foreword Reviews' 2014 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award Finalist, Juvenile Fiction (children's) "Broccoli Chronicles" https://indiefab.forewordreviews.com/books/broccoli-chronicles-little-kids-big-voices-book-1/
FOREWORD Magazine - book review and awarD 2007 for "My Imagination." https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/my-imagination/
brigham young university senior student show - juror's choice award for "SURF DOG, Santa Monica DOG, LITTLE ETHIOPIA DOG, AND CHINATOWN DOG".
brigham young university senior student show - will ward award for "hot air balloon".
BOOKS
coming soon!!**** “HAPPY TRAILS WITH ABBY AND TAZ ROCKY ROADS” - CHRISTINA BROWN
coming soon!!**** “CAnines unleashed” - clear fork publishing
“abc is for catalina island” - katie elia
“HAPPY TRAILS WITH ABBY AND TAZ” - BROWN BOOKS KIDS
“MADDY LOU AND MACK AT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS” - BROWN BOOKS KIDS
“BACK TO SCHOOL WITH MAC” - LITTLE PUMPKIN PRESS
“SAND MOUSE’S SOUP” - BEACHHOUSE PUBLISHING
“ROCK A BYE BABY IN HAWAII” - BEACHHOUSE PUBLISHING
“BRODY BEAR GOES FISHING” - BABL BOOKS
“THE GIRAFFE THAT ATE THE MOON” - BABL BOOKS
“OFF THE CHART! THE AMAZING STORY OF THE ALPHABET ZEBRA” - BROWN BOOKS KIDS
“LUCAS THE LION LOVES THE TINY TALKER” - BROWN BOOKS KIDS
“THE MAGIC OF CURIOSITY- EMILY AND GRANDPA EXPLORE HONG KONG” - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - POSTIES
“MY IMAGINATION” - KRBY ENTERPRISE
“ANIMAL MAGIC” - MICHELLE LOPEZ
“THE MAGICAL MELTING POT” - CHERRY PRESS
“BROCCOLI CHRONICLES” - TANEEKA BOURGEOIS-DASILVA
“LITTLE KIDS, BIG VOICES COLORING BOOK” - TANEEKA BOURGEOIS-DASILVA
“LITTLE KIDS, BIG VOICES MATH WORKBOOK GRADES 1-3” - TANEEKA BOURGEOIS-DASILVA
“LITTLE KIDS, BIG VOICES INTERACTIVE JOURNAL” - TANEEKA BOURGEOIS-DASILVA