Cathey Graham Nickell

CATHY Graham Nickell

BY ELIZABETH DEAL

Cathy Graham Nickell has been writing at least as early as for the C.E. Byrd High School and Baylor University newspapers. Now Nicholls, a Shreveport native and Houston resident, is an award-winning children’s author. Nickell’s early career included working as a report Nickell’s early career included working as a report for The Shreveport Times The Shreveport Times, a contributing writer for , a contributing writer for 318Forum. She also did public relations work for The . She also did public relations work for The Plastic Surgery Center, Schumpert Medical Center, Plastic Surgery Center, Schumpert Medical Center, LSU-S, and Highland Hospital. Nickell earned her LSU-S, and Highland Hospital. Nickell earned her journalism degree from Baylor and Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from LSU-Shreveport.

She later moved to Houston to work as a writer in the Development Office at Baylor College and Medicine and married her husband Kevin Nickell, M.D. They’ve raised four children in their blended family. She was a stay-athome mother and school volunteer for several years and then got back into writing when she was hired to research and write a history book on the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center, a nonprofit organization in Houston. When writing this nonfiction book, she says she “was struck with many made-up fiction story ideas, particular those for children’s books.” And so began her foray into that genre. The inspiration for her first children’s picture book published in 2016 was art cars, which are all over Houston but not seen too often in northwest Louisiana. “The idea for Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car hit me like a zap of lightning, and I rushed home from my morning carpool drive to write the story,” says Nickell. So, what is art car is? Car artists (“cartists”) take a vehicle and modify it by covering it with all different forms of art. Most are owned and driven by their creators, and if it’s their only vehicle they are known as “daily drivers.” Most art car artists don’t have artistic training but make their own creations. Most cause any passerby to smile! Nickell has spoken at over 100 schools and libraries throughout Texas, Louisiana, Georgia. In June she visited five different library branches throughout the Bossier Parish Library system and spoke to about 100 children. “I had no idea that writing and publishing a children’s book would lead me into this fantastic career of speaking and presenting at elementary schools and libraries. It’s been a wonderful adventure, and I hope to keep creating more books for kids,” says Nickell. The kids were able to listen to her speak about writing, creativity and inspiration, and then each child went outside and got to see a real art car! Paul McRae of Houston brought his whimsical art car “RIBBONS” to Shreveport to accompany Nickell to her presentations. His design was inspired by the abstract artform of drip and pour painting. The design also represents the ribbon of a typewriter, because his father and grandfather were both accomplished typists; his grandfather owned McRae Typewriter Exchange and repaired the machines for most of his life. One of the other sources of inspiration was the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” An art car is quite a conversation starter and as a daily driver, McRae has made new friends all over (similar to Arthur Zarr in the book!).

Development Office at Baylor College and Medicine and four children in their blended family. She was a stay-athome mother and school volunteer for several years and then got back into writing when she was hired to research nization in Houston. When writing this nonfiction book, she says she “was struck with many made-up fiction story The inspiration for her first children’s picture book pubbut not seen too often in northwest Louisiana. “The idea drive to write the story,” says Nickell. and modify it by covering it with all different forms of art. their only vehicle they are known as “daily drivers.” Most

Nickell loves being able to make the subject matter real for the students. “At all my speaking events, I always arrange for a real art car to come. As I like to say, ‘I bring the field trip to you.’” Nickell published a second book in 2019 called Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn, and it also has a whimsical outside-thebox artistic theme about a hobby called “yarn bombing.” You won’t find typically find this type of art inside... children’s book would lead me into this fantastic career What’s next? More trips to schools and libraries in the Ark-La-Tex (and beyond). And Nickell is moving into the publishing phase of a book she wrote during the pandemic shutdown. This one is a children’s middle grade novel The kids were able to listen to her speak about writing, for ages 8-12. Stay tuned! You can find her books at amazon.com and catheynickell.com. Paul McRae of Houston brought his whimsical art car presentations. His design was inspired by the abstract resents the ribbon of a typewriter, because his father and es of inspiration was the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the Places Nickell loves being able to make the subject matter real for the students. “At all my speaking events, I always arrange for a real art car to come. As I like to say, ‘I bring the field trip to you.’” Nickell published a second book in 2019 called Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn, and it also has a whimsical outside-thebox artistic theme about a hobby called “yarn bombing.” You won’t find typically find this type of art inside... What’s next? More trips to schools and libraries in the Ark-La-Tex (and beyond). And Nickell is moving into the publishing phase of a book she wrote during the pandemic shutdown. This one is a children’s middle grade novel for ages 8-12. Stay tuned! You can find her books at amazon.com and catheynickell.com.

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AWARDS

ARTHUR ZARR’S AMAZING ART CAR | 2016

⭐ Winner Texas Association of Authors ⭐ Winner National Indie Excellence Award National Indie Excellence Award

YAZZY’S AMAZING YARN | 2019

⭐ 1st Place Royal Dragonfly Book Award, Picture Books 6+ ⭐ Finalist American Book Fest/Best Book Award ⭐ 1st Place Texas Authors Institute ⭐ Winner National Indie Excellence Award National Indie Excellence Award ⭐ Finalist SPR Book Awards