Tuesday, February 8, 2000
Focus Session
Cartooning For Fun And Instruction
with
Mike Artell
Professional Cartoonist/Illustrator
http://hometown.aol.com/mikeartell/index.html
Kathleen - Teachers.Net
welcomes Mike Artell, Mike Artell, former class clown, turned successful,
professional illustrator, author, cartoonist, welcome to Teachers.Net!
When did you realize you have a special talent?
Mike A. - Kathleen...I
always knew I was a funny kid...but in 5th Grade, my teacher actually laughed
at a funny poem I wrote. I think it was at that moment that I knew my humor
was something that could be valuable to me.
Kathleen - Did you
draw well at that point Mike?
meeha/ece/tx - Mike,
Do your books ... does your work appeal to one particular age group more
so than others?
Mike A. - Kathleen...NO..believe
it or not, I didn't start drawing seriously until I was 27.
Mike A. - Meeha...I
write for a very wide age range...pre-K to about 10 or 12. Also I've done
some teacher resource books.
Linda/2/CA - I see
from your site that you do school visits--what kind of presentations do
you do?
Mike A. - Linda...I
start with some readings from my books, then I answer questions. The bulk
of the presentation, however, is step-by-step cartooning lessons. Each
kiddo leaves my presentation with 3 sheets of cartoons they've drawn. With
older kids I get into writing short humor like jokes, riddles, tongue twisters,
etc.
Deb/WI - Mike what
kind of advice would you give to someone just starting in the book writing
business?
Mike A. - Ginny!
From St. Martins?
Mike A. - Deb...I
would advise them to get a law degree.
Kathleen - Mike's
book, Starry Skies was named a 1998 Best Science Book for Children by Science
Books and Films Magazine.
Mike A. - Deb...if
you check my web site, I actually have a page titled, "Advice to Aspiring
Authors." Take a look.
Deb/WI - I will Mike,
Thanks :o)
Kathleen - Mike,
was kinds of presentations do you do for teachers?
Deb/WI - Do you travel
all over to give your presentations?
Kathleen - email
Mike at mikeartell@aol.com
Mike A. - Deb...yes.
I visit about 50 schools each year. I live near New Orleans, but I go to
Montana, New York, Florida, New Mexico...anyplace that can afford me! Ha!
Kathleen - Mike,
would this book be a good one to order for Earth Day: The
Earth and Me
Deb/WI - LOL at least
I can see you travel north. I was thinking about something in the future
for my school.
Sal/4/CA - what are
quick tips to use to get students' attention visually?
Kathleen - Mike,
does the Nat'l Endowment for the Arts ever give grants to sponsor your
visits?
Mike A. - Kathleen..re:teacher
presntations...I do one called "Prose Poems Pictures Puns and Puzzles"...I
show teachers how to use humor to teach across the curriculum.
Peachy - Tell us
about The Earth And Me. What age group is it for?
Mike A. - Sal..DRAW
BIG..especially if you don't draw well. Most teachers don't have the confidence
to draw big, but if you think about it, the bigger you draw, the less you
have to draw.
Deb/WI - Hey my stick
figures are the talk of the class but drawing big is a great idea. LOL
Mike A. - Kathleen...no
NEA money that I can recall. Usually just local school money. Sometimes
Title 1, sometimes PTA, sometimes business partners.
Mike A. - Peachy...Earth
and Me is for little kiddos...PreK to 2nd grade.
Sal/4/CA - I guess
that I don't have to draw straight lines too?
Deb/WI - Mike have
you ever done a teachers convention before? We have one in our division
that is for 2 days and everyone has a great time.
Peachy - Great! I'll
look for The Earth And ME.
Mike A. - Sal...when
in the world would you have to draw straight lines. Heck...if you need
a straight line, use a ruler.
Sal/4/CA - I can't
even do it straight WITH a ruler.
Mike A. - Deb...yes!!
I do LOTS of teacher conventions. This year I'll speak at several state
IRA conventions, the Palm Beach Book Festival, National Catholic Education
Assn. I do about 12 teacher conventions each year.
Mike A. - Sal..you
may be beyond help..
Deb/WI - Is there
contact information on your website that I can pass on to convention planners?
M&M - Mike do
the kids ever give you ideas for books and new characters?
Kathleen - Mike,
I know what you can do to make up for the old press sheet, pay my way to
see you at the Palm Beach Festival, preferably soon. It's 14 degrees where
I am now.
Sal/4/CA - so I've
been told. The kids enjoy laughing WITH me, at least.
Peachy - How many
books have you written, Mike?
Mike A. - M&M..yes.
In fact my book Awesome Alphabets was the direct result of an idea some
5th graders gave me. AA is a book that shows kids how to do really cool
lettering. It was the result of some work I was doing as the Author in
Residence at a school. We were doing covers for the books they had written
and when I showed them how to do "cool" lettering, they went bonkers. So...I
wrote and illustrated a lettering book.
Mike A. - Peacy...I've
written and illustrated about 35 books.
Ginny - Can you site
an example of how to use cartooning (drawing) in the class to support curriculum?
Mike A. - Ginny...sure...what
subject area? Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Math?
Ginny - I teach 8th
grade reading, English and Civics.
Ginny - I have illustrated
the rights listed in the Bill of Rights. etc. Just looking for new ideas
Peachy - Mike, which
is your favorite book?
Mike A. - Ginny...Cartoons
are great for anything that has to do with language. Most people think
that cartoonist have to be good artists, but that's not true. I mean...look
at Dilbert. Scott Adams can't draw a lick, but he's a brilliant writer.
Cartoonists have to be good WRITERS. Why? Because they only have a little
caption balloon in which to write. Try taking cartoons from the newspaper
and cutting off the captions, then have your students write their own captions.
Deb/WI - Mike what
about drawing with lower elementary students where would be a good place
to start with them?
Mike A. - Ginny...try
having the kids draw a scroll and labelling it "Declaration of Independence."
Then, draw a face and legs on the D of I and have it tell you about itself...for
example, "Hi I'm the Declaration of Independence. I was written in the
year 1776 by Thomas Jefferson...etc."
Deb - Any other ideas
for kinder kids?
Ginny - I have students
interested in being political cartoonist....That keeps them busy reading
Newsweek. How can I help them?
Mike A. - Peachy...my
favorite book is probably Weather Whys...but my new one my become my favorite..the
title is BACKYARD BLOODSUCKERS...it's about mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, etc.
Totally gross and totally fun.
Ginny - Sounds like
a good idea. I try to incorporate the MI's in our inquiries at the end
of a unit--maybe I'll add that as a choice.
Mike A. - Deb...start
with emotions. Draw simple circle faces and add different emotions....happy,
sad, angry, etc. Then have the kids describe a time they felt one of those
emotions. Have them dictate the incident to you.
Deb - Mike, that's
a great idea. I'll try it!
Deb/WI - I've done
that as a counselor and they love it. I drew little puffy creaturers and
then had them color them how they make them feel.
katie - I noticed
you wrote a book about birthdays. What ideas do you have for a rocks and
minerals party?
Mike A. - Deb...you
can also use basic shapes to build a robot...just stack circles, squares,
rectangles, triangles...Little kids can do that.
Mike A. - Katie...hmmm...rocks
and minerals...I'm thinking...
Peachy - My kinder
kids would enjoy the cartooning. That's a good way to encourage writing!
Kathleen - Mike,
I like your Weather Whys- Questions, Facts, and Riddles About Weather http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/067336173X/teachersnet
. It has that nice cardboard "wonderful wheel of weather words" in the
back
Ginny - Mike, I'll
be looking over your site. Is there any link there that would have a list
of suggested classroom activities?
becca - Mike, that's
something I've been looking for (shapes) thanks!
katie - The party
is for a kindergarten kid but I also teach this to 4th graders.
Mike A. - Katie...my
job in the birthday (party) book was to write the stories and illustrate
it. The actual party ideas came from my co author Dr. Pam Schiller. I'm
afraid you'd have to get a "minerals" party idea from her. I guess you
could serve "mineral" water and play "rock" music. HA!
Sal/4/CA - You can
go mining- cupcakes with chips, nuts, etc. Create and draw different cystal
shapes?
Mike A. - Sal...way
to go! Good idea.
katie - So I'll hit
you with another question. What do you recommened to young children who
get frustrated with drawing and don't like to do it?
Mike A. - katie...No
kid should be made to draw. If they don't want to draw, let them scribble
or do something else. Some kids simply aren't developmentally ready to
draw pictures that are recognizable. In fact...some TEACHERS aren't developmentally
ready to draw pictures that are recognizable. HA!
Sal/4/CA - gee, I
feel bad, Mike
Deb - What about
directed drawing?
barb - How can I
use art for a students who is ADHD and gifted in art but is very reluctnat
to write and read?
Mike A. - Deb...help
me..."directed drawing" is what?
Deb - Step by step
drawing following the teacher-
Peachy - I have found
that suggesting that they use shapes in their drawing gives them a starting
point.
Mike A. - Barb...cartoons
might be the answer. Have him create a character...probably a super hero...and
send him on an adventure of some sort. Be prepared...if the kiddo is in
4th or 5th grade, the story will probably be pretty gory (spelling?).
Sal/4/CA - barb-
have him draw, and explain it to you or a friend, and then read what he's
described.
Kathleen - How to
Create Picture Books by Mike Artell http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1878279629/teachersnet
That sounds interesting. For budding children's authors, or for budding
authors who are children???
Sal/4/CA - Does that
go as basic as Emberley's shape books? That's my level!
Mike A. - Kathleen..HTCPB
is a book for teachers to use to help kids write and illustrate their own
books. It's been a guidebook for lots of Young Authors programs.
barb - You right!
He is a 4th grader. He loves pokemon or anything gross. I have tried doing
characters but he will not do the writing.
Peachy - Mike, you
mentioned that you didn't do much drawing until you were in your twenties.
Did you teach yourself?
Mike A. - Sal..hey..I'm
a big fan of Ed Emberley. I don't think cartooning is as much about "art"
as it is about "humor." That's why it's such a great aid to young writers.
Kathleen - Mike,
tell us about the tv program you hosted.
Sal/4/CA - What's
scarier, is I use those press cut-outs, so I don't mess up further.
Deb - What made you
start drawing when you were in your twenties?
Mike A. - Peachy..yes,
I did teach myself. My first cartoons were terrible, but I went to the
library and got some drawing books and learned how to draw. I also used
to copy the comic strip characters in the paper. I did take one community
college cartooning course, but by the time I took it, I was already drawing
my own toons.
Katie - I was going
to ask you about Ed Emberly when I got kicked off. I'm glad to hear you
are a fan. I am being a non-drawer myself.
cocodrie - well,
I do have a question, Mike, and it is how do I get to your book without
leaving this chat room? I'll try clicking on name of book and if I miss,
I've enjoyed it and good bye!
Mike A. - Kathleen..My
show was, CARTOONING WITH MIKE ARTELL on WWL-TV in New Orleans. We had
a weekly audience of 50,000 viewers which is an indication of just how
big my family is. I did it for 2 1/2 years then burned out.
Deb - Mike, so your
style kind of evolved?
Kathleen - Writing
Start-Ups - Mike, what is that book about? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576120023/teachersnet
Kathleen - big family
is right!
Mike A. - Deb...I
sold some jokes and realized that if I could illustrate the jokes, I could
make more money. It wasn't an altruistic venture. I was trying to earn
a little extra cash...
Deb/WI - Mike have
you thought about making a series of videos for classroom use?
Kathleen - Mike,
that was a long run, 2.5 years
Sal/4/CA - wow, big
family! what part burned you out?
Kathleen - Mike,
how much did you pay Deb to ask that question about videos??
Mike A. - Cocodrie...for
those of you who don't know, the word "cocodrie" is French for "alligator."
I suspect Cocodrie is from around my neck of the woods.
Deb - Deb/WI - videos-
great idea!
Deb/WI - I'm innocent!!!
LOL It was just a thought!
Kathleen - Is alligator
a member of your family?
Mike A. - Kathleen...writing
startups is a book that contains around 900 writing ideas for books, reports
and essays.
Peachy - Do you have
an idea for your next book, Mike?
Mike A. - Deb...I
have 3 videos...Basic Cartooning, Cartooning from A to Z and Cartooning
Tips and Tricks. See my web site for more info.
Deb/WI - Hmm sitting
here wondering if my professors would let me get away with an illustrated
ed.s. thesis. LOL
Deb - Will do! Are
these appropriate for 5 year olds?
cocodrie - it's Monsieur
Cocodrie, Mike, remember me? This is the first time I've ever done this
and I lost your book in the process!
Mike A. - Peachy..yes..I
want to do a series of 3 books on robots. I also want to do a book about
nutria...do ya'll know what a nutria is? It's like a big rat with big orange
teeth. They do a lot of harm to the environment.
Sal/4/CA - Do you
work on several books at a time, or focus on one type for awhile?
Kathleen - Writing
Start-Ups: 900 prompts feature topics from acrobatics to zoos. Use these
original study cards for independent learning or for large-group activity.
Each card offers six, thought-provoking topics, covering stories, essays,
and reports. Skills include characterization, comparison, point of view,
and research. Grades 3-6. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576120023/teachersnet
Mike A. - Deb...the
Basic Cartooning video would be appropriate for 5 year olds.
Mike A. - Sal..I
work on multiple books at a time.
Kathleen - Gumbo,
Mike used to do a tv program in your area
Mike A. - Gumbo..where
y'at, dawlin' (<--- a new orleans greeting)
Deb/WI - I would
think Basic Cartooning would be good for any age including me!
Gumbo, dawlin! -
I missed cocodrie-----and I brought the sauce picante!!! LOL
Kathleen - y'at!!
Gumbo, he's authentic!
Gumbo, dawlin! -
doin' fine, mike, dawlin....when was your show on?
Kathleen - SAUCE!!!
on alligators???? why not crawdads???????
Debe - I would also
like to learn more about cartooning...as well as teaching my 4th graders
Mike A. - Gumbo..I
used to be part of Popeye and Pals in 89 - 91.
Deb - I'll try Basic
Cartooning myself. If I can do it, then my 5 year old should be able to
do it. that's how artistic I am.
Jean - Mike, how
long is the Basic Cartooning viedo and give an example of what kinds of
things you teach us to draw.
Sal/4/CA - I hope
that you were a Pal?!
Peachy - Good question,
Jean.
Gumbo, dawlin! -
oh, drawing with mike?????? (or something like that?)
Mike A. - Jean..one
hour...funny faces, dinosaur, cat, robot, tiger, simple animation, lots
of other stuff.
Mike A. - Sal..indeed
I was...I was THE pal.
Mike A. - Gumbo...bingo!
Cartooning with Mike Artell was the name of the show.
Deb/WI - Sounds like
neat books. I'll have to check them out. I'm always looking for ideas.
Gumbo, dawlin! -
(I'm here and at mike's site---don't need to be rude...) SMALL world.....nice
site, mike.....
becca - Sounds like
a great video,too
Deb/WI - Mike is
there contact information on your website for anyone wanting to book you
for their school or conventions?
Mike A. - Gumbo...thanks..
Mike A. - Deb...Indeed
there is...
Deb/WI - Mike does
your wife also draw?
Mike A. - Deb...my
wife leaves the drawing to me. She's a high school science teacher and
very talented in her own right.
Kathleen - Oh, Mrs.
Artell, you need to become familiar with Teachers.Net, then, We have a
e-mail discussion groups at http://teachers.net/mailrings
Katie - How do you
teach this over a video? Is it like one of those painting shows or more
like Ed Emberly?
Deb/WI - Exactly
Kathleen! She'll love it here.
Jean - Bye all, this
has been interesting and fun.
Kathleen - I meant
to say we have a whole collection of mailrings
Mike A. - Katie...It's
sort of like DaVinci meets Soupy Sales. It's actually very easy to teach
step-by-step cartooning on a video.
Kathleen - Mike,
maybe we should do this again, and concentrate on a particular aspect of
your offerings, such as artist in residence
Kathleen - Thanks
to all who came, This was informal and fun. I enjoyed it. Mike, thanks
very much for being with us for the hour.
Mike A. - Kathleen..O.K.,
I guess we're all done. Thanks a lot. This was great. Please keep in touch.
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