Illustrator and entrepreneur Leslie Carvery is launching a new colouring book on Wednesday, July 23 that honours Sherry Anne Crowe, a Halifax based model, actor, inspirational speaker, emcee and corporate leader whose story is inspiring to women of all ages.
Titled Call Me Sherry Anne, the 22-page book created under Carvery’s Afro Girl Design brand features illustrations that capture Crowe’s dynamic presence and commitment to representation, confidence and community leadership.
“I’ve been working on a colouring book series for my businesses, and then I saw Sherry and the incredible work she’s doing, and how she’s showing up,” Carvery said. “We live in a digital age where we scroll past powerful moments. I wanted to slow things down and honour Sherry in a tangible way.”
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Leslie Carvery loves making an impact through her illustartions, and opening up cobnversations through art.
The book draws from Crowe’s personal and professional career, with individual colouring pages for each milestone.
Known across Nova Scotia and beyond for her runway presence, public speaking, and leadership, Crowe’s message of self-belief and courage has been amplified with her growing social media presence.
Carvery said her goal was to reflect the many sides of Crowe’s personality and path, from her infectious laugh to her elegance on stage — through artwork that evokes emotion when being coloured.
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Tear page from the colouring book.
“I wanted to show images that don’t just look good, but are also colourable — that people can bring to life themselves,” she said. “I wanted this book to feel joyful, therapeutic, and reflective of a woman who truly represents so much strength and possibility.”
Carvery, a multi-disciplinary artist and creative professional, said it was also important to her that the book include a range of moments from different periods of Crowe’s journey — not just spotlighting achievements, but celebrating her essence.
“She’s the kind of woman who inspires others just by being herself,” Carvery said. “Black women are so often taught to shrink themselves. Sherry reminds us that we deserve to take up space — to be seen and celebrated.”
Blair Bartlett
Crowe has a checkered career and is now chasing her dream of being a model.
Crowe, who posted the book to her Instagram ahead of its official launch, said she was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.
“To be someone’s inspiration… to be someone’s muse… that’s a gift,” she said. “This book means that what I’m doing is reaching people. Even if others don’t share my exact dreams, they can see me going after mine and know they can pursue theirs.”
Crowe added that she’s always believed in the power of courage and community.
“I’ve lived long enough to understand that when the world tells you to stay quiet, you have to find your own voice louder,” she said adding that she was was once rejected by a modelling agency at 15 for being too short, too big, too different. Now, at 54 she models those very differences, “and I do it with pride.”
She credited her agency, her agent, and her village for supporting her journey, noting that none of her milestones happened in isolation.
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Crowe thanks everyone in her life for supporting and having her back. She credits her agent for scouting her through scoial media and cheering her on.
Carvery said that since the book was announced, demand has been high and she’s now offering personalized versions at the same price as Crowe’s version.
“Everyone deserves to feel special and seen,” she said.
For Crowe, the impact of the book goes beyond its pages.
“I’m truly living some of my best days right now. I am inspiring, living, and making memories,” she said. “If I can help even one person believe in themselves, then this journey has been worth it.”