Award-winning artist and United States Air Force National Guard veteran Maxine Thomas Davis, was born in Meridian, Mississippi. She started her art journey at age six, drawing and painting on the walls of her parents' home. In middle school and high school, she honed her skills by creating portraits of her classmates.She eventually put her artistic pursuits on hold while she raised her family. Asked to create a mural for her church, her passion for art was reignited and she pursued a degree, studying fine arts and graphic design. Specializing in graphite pencil illustration, Maxine has illustrated nine books. Burnt Head Collard Greens, an emotional account of her childhood, is her tenth and her debut as an author. She has three daughters and seven grandchildren.