Library and School Visits
My format for presentations:
1) Books, "story" and imagination...I like to talk to kids about making children's books as an illustrator and then lead them into how the writer and illustrator build a story together using their imagination. We often play an imagination game that kids love and it is mixed with all kinds of fun pictures that I show to open their imagination and encourage them that they can use their ideas to write and illustrate stories.
2) Drawing "for" kids...on a large tear off sheet of paper I draw a picture for the kids and briefly tell them my process of doing it. I usually give this picture away to some unsuspecting child.
3) Drawing "with" kids....I then take the thoughts about "story" and the imagination and how I draw pictures and begin to encourage the kids to try for themselves. To disarm the fears that often go with trying to draw, I introduce them to my drawing game, Pick and Draw. I show them by playing a hand while they watch. Finally, we hand out paper and pencil and they make a cartoon face with me. There is always alot of laughter and excitement as they actually see their own picture come to life. Without exception, they want to do more...but instead, I quickly move them into another drawing that has some fun, cartoon characters called, doodle bugs. By drawing with kids step by step and break each step down to a very simple form, kids end up with a picture they are proud to show. And, by having done it, they usually have more ideas for whatever pictures they want to try on their own. I've had many librarians, parents and teachers tell me that their kids drew for weeks after my presentation. For me as an artist and teacher working with kids, that is "success"! It seems there is never enough time, but a good time is had by all.
4) Books and game for sale...the 8 books I have illustrated and the game I have developed, I make available after the presentation for any who want to purchase them. And, I am happy to sign books as people request them.
Drawing together will build a good kind of confidence that kids need for their development.
Pricing (as of August, 2009)
1 one hour time....$200 honorarium plus roundtrip mileage (.55 a mile roundtrip from Siloam Springs, AR)
2 one hour sessions....$350 honorarium plus mileage (.55 a mile roundtrip from Siloam Springs, AR)
3 one hour sessions...$485 honorarium plus mileage (.55 a mile roundtrip from Siloam Springs, AR)
Full day ( 4 one hour sessions).....$600 honoraium plus mileage (.55 a mile roundtrip from Siloam Springs, AR). If I have to drive over 4 hours to return to Siloam Springs, AR, overnight hotel accomadations would also need to be included in the price.
I would ask that my books and game be made available for kids to buy them...whether in advance; after the presentations or taking orders for a couple of weeks after the presentations and me bringing what has been ordered back in to be distributed.
For School visits: Any one hour session can be with a large group (100 kids as long as their is an electronic camera so they can easily see what I am doing...and hear me) or a more intimate group setting, such as in a classroom.
I provide a 15% discount for any one time school/library visits that are within a 40 mile radius of Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
Presentation Group sizes:
Always, smaller groups (20-30 kids) get more attention and encouragement through my interaction. But, I am willing to work with larger groups if that is what you have. If there is electonic equipment (electronic overhead camera..like an elmo) so that all the kids can see clearly what I am doing, that works as well. I would also need a microphone in that kind of large group setting. Highest priority for us drawing together is that they need to see me and hear me.
I often suggest 2 presentations so that the kids can be divided into 2 different developmental age groups....5-8 and 9-12. This is the most effective way that I've seen but I am flexible according to your needs. I also enjoy presenting to teens and have something special for their development as well. And I am always open for parents and teachers to sit in and watch/draw with us too!
If I present at your school/library, I offer to you two additional things:
1) Color poster with your institutions name and information on it to help advertise the event.
2) Tiny the dog and whimsical doodle bugs coloring pages that toddlers and pre-schoolers can color while the bigger kids are making a picture with me. And you are free to continue to use them year round as you like in your library.
These I send by email to you before I come.
I also have developed a one-of-a-kind drawing game that you can only buy from me called "Pick and Draw". I use it in my presentations and it is amazing how the kids bloom and grow creatively by using this game. What they learn in our drawing session they have the opportunity to buy and take home this tool to keep having fun while learning. When I go to libraries and schools, that is where I sell the game. You can go to my home page and see the link called, Pick and Draw for more information.
If you want to email me or call about any questions or booking information, please go to my contact me page on this site....we'll work something out that will be good for your kids!
