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room wall of the
Cosby Show
. Later, her paintings and other artwork formed the backdrop for
Cosby’s
Kids Say the DarndestThings
.Honeywood’s work subsequently appeared in many other
television series and movies. In 1996, Honeywood created a collage for the dedication of the
Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center at Spelman College.
During the 1990s, Honeywood illustrated a series of 12 books by Bill Cosby, the
Little Bill
Books for Beginning Readers
.
Little Bill
was made into an animated television series based on
Honeywood’s illustrations. She designed the characters and contributed to the program.
Little
Bill
won a 2001 Peabody Award, a 2004 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s
Series, and a best-selling series, Oprah Book Club list. Varnette appeared on the Oprah
Winfrey show for her illustrations.
Varnette Honeywood stated, “My art is my work and my life.” In 2002, the USC BlackAlumni
Association and the USC libraries paid tribute to Honeywood with an art exhibition in honor
of Black History Month,
Trojans of Ebony Hue:Varnette P. Honeywood, Portrait of a Cultural Artist
.
A special tribute for Varnette P.Honeywood was held by theWattsTowers Arts Center staff on
Sunday, January 9, 2011. Honeywood also collected and supported many fellow artists — the
following, lots 33-39, were selected from the artist’s large collection of fine prints.The sale
also includes works from her estate byWilliam E. Smith, lot 4, Betye Saar, lots 147 and 150,
andWilliam Pajaud, lot 154.
Varnette Honeywood,
Young Girl
, collage with various papers and
fabric, 1985. Sold at Swann Galleries on October 4, 2007.