Be sure to see the many program endorsements at the bottom of this page.
DENNOS ART MUSEUM has SOLD OUT!
"Biggest crowd we've had since Covid!"
-Elizabeth Celeste / Curator of Education & Exhibition, Traverse City, MI-
"Biggest crowd we've had since Covid!"
-Elizabeth Celeste / Curator of Education & Exhibition, Traverse City, MI-
Love that IMAX cinematic appeal.
I love even more the fans of the superhero genre!
I'm consistently reminded as to just how popular the superheroes are!
In March of 2024, I was asked to do two workshops and one performance for a large audience for Dennos Art Museum in Traverse City, Michigan. It was an incredible experience. The museum had such beauty and the students emanated cosmic waves of love and appreciation. I'll never forget this day! Thanks to all my friends at Dennos!
ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY
Standing-Room Only!
Standing-Room Only!
"I heard it was a great program! Thank you for bringing it to our patrons!"
-Samantha Root / Events and Rentals / Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor, MI-
-Samantha Root / Events and Rentals / Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor, MI-
100-plus attendees! After the workshop program, I was told that the library had to turn away some of the patrons because they had run out of seats. Honestly, it broke my heart. But here's some pictures of the the warm hearts who came early...
One of the most exciting part of my adventures is getting to see the marvelous and varying architecture of the amazing libraries that I have visited. Some are grandiose while others have the charm of a one-room school-house from the 19th century. I love them all!
Your Custom Press Kit
You may want to use something similar to this headline and body of text to promote YOUR special program with Jerry or ask Jerry to work up your own custom press-release, online banner and flyer art, for promotions
Even the adults come to "Cos-Play" at the libraries and art centers
I'm to the left at 6 ft 2 inches. I shudder to think how tall Cap is standing in the middle.
The Give-Aways: In Full-Color!
A proud recipient of my Juggernaut poster!
All of the following prints are presented to the winning students which is typically determined by a raffle or names tossed into a bag. As principal, librarian or curator, you get to determine which images are appropriate for the audience. Please be sure to let me know.
"Galactus-Slayer Thor"
More Give-Aways: My Penciled "Raw-Series"
The Crowd!
Libraries can always expect a great turnout!
Libraries can always expect a great turnout!
Libraries get a respectable number of patrons to show up so long as they're informed about the famous superheroes I've illustrated for Marvel Entertainment.
THE LIVE DRAWING PERFORMANCE WITH SEMI-ANIMATED SLIDESHOW: 1.5 hours
Click on the picture below to see a video demonstration of my mathematical approach to drawing a superhero:
I typically use raffle tickets provided by the library to select the winners of original sketches and full-color prints. Or, we simply put names into a box.
Even months and years later, I'd hear stories about how these gifts brought tears to the eyes of some of the library patrons. And, thankfully, it wasn't because the art was terrible! |
The presentation is a one-and-a-half-hour engagement with your audience on how a superhero and a full-fledged comic is made from beginning to end. The semi-animated slide show, visually and humorously, demonstrates the integration of math and science with art, and is then followed up by live drawing demonstrations. This part is the real crowd pleaser - especially when I invite a select patron from the crowd to help me draw. I also share stories of giants in the industry like Stan Lee, and also my experiences with the library which have always been rewarding and fruitful. As a child, I gleefully read the tales of Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill and even Dr. Doolittle and, as an adult, I'd visit the local library to access the many photo references by Eadweard Muybridge to inform my animation. I also picked up a copy of the life-changing, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. And it's all FREE!!!
Student selected from the audience to help me finish off a superhero drawing!
|
Galactus-Slayer Thor
THE WORKSHOP 2-4 hours (depending on the library's scheule):
If you have two-four hours to spare on a workshop for your students/patrons, this is a great option.
The workshop incudes the presentation above as an appetizer, and then the eager patrons go hands-on to create their own superheroes
My students from Blueline Arts in California:
The workshop incudes the presentation above as an appetizer, and then the eager patrons go hands-on to create their own superheroes
My students from Blueline Arts in California:
...to my smiling students in Curtis ofMichigan... my home state!
What will students be learning in Jerry's Workshop?
WORKSHOP DETAILS: The workshop includes an abbreviated presentation for the first 30 minutes, but then the students who sign up move into an on-hands experience with how to create their own superhero and comic book page. It looks like this:
1) Students will draw a profile of say, Batman, Wolverine, or any number of superheroes they prefer using a fractional method that's easy to follow (A):
A.
2) Students are then handed out a penciled, geometric armature of a superhero, selected by them. In this case, SPIDERMAN! (B)
B.
3) Students will then learn superhero anatomy and anotomical proportions by following my guidance as they embellish their penciled armature (C) You might be thinking that many of your patrons won't be able to draw anything resembling the Spiderman you see here. You, and your patrons, are in for a big surprise! We can't expect young, inexperienced artists to do this on the fly, but that is what my armatures take into account. They're not just a crutch or some cheap way of drawing, they literally show students the parameters of the human form. Think of them as "training wheels." In time, students get rid of the training wheels and start to bicycle on their own. Or in this case, create armatures and then superheroes of their own!
C.
4) Students will learn shortcuts on how to draw realistically by being photo-reliant but also by paying attention to how environmental shots must correspond to the same perspective you give the actors in the story (D & E) This helps a lot because it's either that or they have to do what I did; spend decades how to do this from my head — and that leads only to frustration in a three-hour workshop. Students won't be actually drawing a completed comic book page,the workshop doesn't run that long, instead they will be given handouts (like what you see here) to take home with them for that day and time they get the ambition to delve deeper into the craft of the comic book.
5) Next is the really fun and relaxing part, the INKING. I bring with me 11" X 17" blueline art prints on cardstock (F,G) of actual professionally penciled pages, and pass them out to the students. Here's just two page samples of the many options that I'll be bringing with me:
Students then learn how to ink in their blueline art with Sakura Micron Pens since they're most convenient to use. No mess, no hassles! The best part is, it's a very practical exercise for anyone who wants to break into the comic book world because "INKERS" are a real job designation for comic book artists. Ben Affleck in the movie, "Chasing Amy," portrayed a frustrated inker who tired of being called a "tracer." Ben would insist that inkers are real artists too...and he's right! But watch the film at your own peril. Funny as all get-out, but lots of questionable language.
Here's a clear example of what students will be doing in the inking component of the workshop. We start with any number of chosen blueline-art pages and, in this case, we've picked "Galactus-Slayer Thor."
Voila! The inks!
6) Students then learn how to import their inks into Photoshop for coloring (H) and lettering (I). I project a coloring project onto a monitor for modeling technique. Students will learn how to use layers for colors, shadows and highlights; how to use complementary colors; and how to import textures into their artwork to save time. Students likely won't have their own Photoshop software on-hand, so I recommend that they take notes during this part of the show.
H.
I.
The Incredible Hulk in Development: Penciled armature with imported photo-Elements, layers, textures, paint-tool, etc.
7) Students then go into a Q & A session to cover topics in the workshop and to discuss careers in art, affiliated educational degrees, and anything else they prefer.
Of course, not everything has to be rough-and-tough super-types. Sometimes they're cuddly and warm, like my Valentine's Junior Bear:
Or maybe you want to make a custom-made Halloween card for your friends and family:
In either case, coloring in Photo-Shop can be a blast, and the best part is, if you make a mistake - just back-button!
These are pictures of actual libraries that I have presented at and sometimes their architecture is absolutely breathtaking.
A Professional "Thumb's-Up!"
Please take a moment to review just a fraction of the many patrons below to ascertain the undisputable value of this unique presentation (and workshop):
"I give it three "E's", Entertaining, Extraordinary and very Educational!"
Ann Mohrmann / Librarian for Ladue Middle School, St. Louis, MO
Great turnout!
Great word-of-mouth!
Great success!
I'd have him again!
Children's Librarian, Sheila Hatch, Bayliss Public Library, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Thank you, Jerry!
I know the recipients are super exited to receive your artwork! Thank you for a fantastic program. It was a hit and it was a pleasure working with you.
TERRY SANCHEZ | PROGRAMS SPECIALIST // NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY / 1000 AVOCADO AVE. NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 / tsanchez@newportbeachca.gov
Mr. DeCaire,
Thank you so much for the awesome virtual assembly—our students loved it! It was fun to walk down the halls afterwards and hear the buzz of their excitement. The kids who won pictures were so appreciative. We even had a few students try to draw their own superheroes.
Thank you for making the best of the situation and providing this experience for our kids! It is one that they will remember and an excellent wrap up to our month of reading Almost Super.
Thanks,
Jean Matthews/ Elementary Events Coordinator / Daisy Brook Elementary School, 502 North Division Av., Fremont, MI 49412
"The presentation was all that I expected and more! The kids stayed interested & intrigued throughout the entire program and Mr. DeCaire did an excellent job of keeping them involved! I know we had an abundance of students who were on cloud nine after they received their own picture & got to meet an illustrator from Marvel Comics!
Thank you SO SO Much for an awesome experience for our kidds!"
Carsen Funneman / 7th Grade Science / Effingham Jr High School, Effingham Illinois
" The students are engaged, motivated and learn so much from Jerry’s presentations."
Ms. Evy Bickel - 6th Grade Mathematics Teacher / Ladue Middle School, St. Louis, MO
(Ms. Evy bickel has invited Gerald back for 17 years in a row and number 18 is just around the corner!)
"While I had read a few reviews about Mr. DeCaire’s performance online, I was not expecting the robust performance that he would give to our students. Having researched and hired a variety of different enriching programs for our students in the last several years, I can honestly say that Mr. DeCaire’s school assembly was the most entertaining and educational that we have had…and that is truly saying something as most of these programs are top-notch. Mr. DeCaire had a great command of the group, a wonderful sense of humor and relevant information to share with the students. In my experience, it is difficult to find an artist who is both as talented artistically as Mr. DeCaire as well as one who so easily interacts with the students and parents alike."
Laura Lamison /Cultural Enrichment Chair, The Dorris-Eaton Parents’ Association 1847 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek (San Francisco), CA 94595
"Congratulations on taking your program 'in-house.' Your presentation is STILL (four months later) being talked about by the students who saw it, so you definitely made an impression. And we would love to book the program for our 1st-4th graders next year."
Laura Lamison /Cultural Enrichment Chair, The Dorris-Eaton Parents’ Association 1847 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek (San Francisco), CA 94595
"This is my favorite assembly ever!"
Phyllis Sprangel/1st Grade Teacher for Sharp Park Academy 766 Park Rd. Jackson, MI 49203
"The most excited they have ever been for a presenter! Loved it!!!
Salina Villaneda / Media Specialist for M. Rives, Donna ISD, Donna TX
"This was the first time anyone was able to hold the student's attention for so long. Great job!"
Candido Martinez / 4th Grade ELA Teacher for Runn Elementary, Donna TX
"Even the four-year-olds were engaged!"
Linda Tardie / Reading Specialist for Hohokam Traditional School, Scottsdale, AZ
"It was EXACTLY what I wanted."
Kathy Goodlad / Principal for Kerman-Floyd Elementary, Kerman, CA
"I loved the way Jerry weaved the core curriculum into the art. It was fabulous!
Robert Desmond / 5th Grade Teacher for Emblem Academy, Santa Clarita, CA
"It's right on target for what the students need today."
Hartley Kenneth / Teacher of History and French for Vallejo Educational Academy, Vallejo, CA
"To keep these students attention is nothing less than phenomenal!"
Linda Combs / Principal for Vallejo Educational Academy, Vallejo, CA
"I was just blown away! It exceeded my expectations!"
Kerrie Bowler / Librarian for the Washington Branch Library in St. George, UT
"Best assembly I've seen in 10 years!!!"
John Martin / Art Teacher for Murray Middle School, Ridgecrest, CA
"This is, by far, the BEST assembly I've seen in years!"
Nancy Tomei / 5th Grade Teacher for Emblem Academy, Santa Clarita, CA
"Money well spent!!! Bringing in the core curriculum was an A+."
Dee Wolfer-Sullivan / Principal for Byrneville Charter School, Century, FL
"It was utterly fabulous!"
Maggie Moriarty / Principal for Frontier High School, Whittier, CA
"One of the most engaging and interesting presentations ever; my students were riveted!"
Bob Cassidy / Principal of Daisy Brook Elementary-Fremont Public Schools, MI
"Jerry´s skill level amazed them all. He had an easy rapport with the kids and he really stressed the importance of learning across the curriculum. The following day at school, the art room was being filled with drawings of super heroes that the kids had done at home.They were enchanted with these new skills and couldn't wait to share them."
Holly Lampen / East Grand Rapids Middle School, Grand Rapids, MI 616-235-7551
"Thank you for bringing the 'Super Hero' to life at our little, rural school. Our entire student body and staff were mesmerized as they watched 'math' come alive. Your talent and dedication to making learning real is apparent with every stroke of your 'pen.' I am just waiting to see you again. Don't forget us!"
Susan D. Pann, Administrator for Three Lakes Academy, Curtis, MI 906-586-6631
"Mr. DeCaire’s ability to share and discuss his talents and experiences while constantly drawing popular comic book heroes for the students, left them mesmerized and eager to apply their new knowledge to their own drawings! His injections of humor and honesty about comic book art and the life of an illustrator kept the students at ease and having a good time. ”
Amy Powney Teacher/Math Curriculum Supervisor/ Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI
"Mr. Decaire opened the student's eyes to connections between disciplines that they didn´t even think existed. Jerry’s programs were a hit at our schools. His artwork is outstanding. And for many of the children, it was a first for them to meet a professional artist. They were engaged and inspired."
Jay Lamar / Center for the Arts and Humanities at Auburn University, Auburn, AL
"An inspiring speaker who interested kids in his passion for art."
"I never saw kids make so many connections to their world, their studies and art!"
Tim Kill / Lon Lademann - Gregory Middle School, Naperville, IL
"I emailed 15 moms and ALL of the kids said they loved it!
Barbra Salerno / PTO / North Beverly Elementary School, Beverly, MA
"Relevant topic that kids are really into."
Marilynn Peeke / Principal / Atholton Adventist School / Columbia, MD
"Students loved to see how art, math, and science work together!
Denise Summit / PTO President / Mayer Elementary School / Mayer, AZ
"We had a small group, but it was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students."
John Lopez / Principal / Devereux Center / Red Hook, NY
"Mr. DeCaire was awesome!!! He was very flexible. He rearranged his presentation to our needs."
Kelly Bye / Principal / All God's children Christian School / Discovery Bay, CA
"Very personable and friendly presentation. Jerry spent time making this assembly wonderful."
Peter Fackenthall / Principal / Pacific Union College Preparatory School / Angwin, CA
"Our faculty was very impressed and delighted with the performance. The artist was SUPER in the way he connected one subject with another. Math IS in all subjects!"
Mary Vianney Ennis / Principal / St. John the Baptist School / Costa Mesa, CA
"Jerry was great!"
Rayna Shinn / Assemblies / Kenwood Elementary School / Kenwood, CA
"Program was well received. Good job!"
John West / Principal / St. Peter School / Waldorf, MD
"Well done!"
Therese Waters / Principal / Mother of Providence Regional Catholic / Wallingford, PA
"We really enjoyed Jerry DeCaire's presentation. He stayed longer than scheduled because the students were really enjoying his work."
Kathy Littlefield / Principal / Queen of Apostles School / Alexandria, VA
"Mr. DeCaire did a great job explaining the connections to math and science."
Ronette Dill / Principal / Saluda Elementary School / Saluda, NC
"The students were very interested in Jerry's experience."
Georgette Schraeder / Principal / St. Leo's School / Winston-Salem, NC
"Excellent program! Great job incorporating math concepts and Jerry provided great instructionals. Students enjoyed!"
Tonya Page / Principal / New Century International Middle School / Fayetteville, NC
"The students loved the characters they were familiar with."
Melissa Lightner / Teacher / Rutherford, Elementary School / Harrisburg, PA
"Interesting! Students loved watching as Jerry brought characters to life!"
Marlene Barardo / Counselor / Chapel Hill Academy / Lincoln Park, NJ
"Great program!"
Esther Hale / School Counselor / Rural Retreat Middle School / Rural Retreat, VA
"Jerry was very personable and present. We would have him again."
Nick Pretasky / Director / Northern Lights Community School
"He did a superb job of adapting his presentation and engaging even the youngest child. We appreciated his ability to reach across the curriculum, especially with math and art, making this a FUN learning experience."
Joy Beth Hicks / Principal / Franklin Elementary School / Cadillac, MI
Jerry had all of the students on the edge of their seats with excitement as they watched him create a superhero while explaining the math and geometry he was using to create his art. They were thrilled to be given copies of the drawings he made that day. It was a great opportunity for them to see how the subjects they are learning in the classroom are applied in the 'real world.'
Five Oaks Academy / News and Events / Simpsonville, SChttp://www.fiveoaksacademy.com/news/science-superhero
This program enhanced vocabulary. Students saw the importance of perspective, proportion, and a knowledge of anatomy. Jerry, the presenter, also introduced them to the profession of a comic book artist. It was an excellent presentation. Students were abuzz about the topic and skills Jerry demonstrated. It was a refreshing, fun, and educational program that drew the students in.
Brian Massey / Art teacher, Remsenburg-Speonk ES / Eastern Suffolk BOCES 'The Star.'
file:///C:/Users/Jerry/Downloads/4143_AIE_Star_Newsletter_FEB_2014.pdf
"Students sat in quiet awe as they watched Mr. DeCaire transform a cube into The Wolverine. He showed his mastery of the human body as he named and meticulously drew each muscle of the character."
Denair Charter Academy / Editor for the Denair Pulse
http://denairpulse.com/2014/03/14/denair-charter-academy-hosts-artist/
Dear Mr. DeCaire,
Thank you so much for coming today and presenting to our school. I wanted you to know that I noticed one of our students, who sometimes can be quite dis-regulated during assemblies, behave as a model student during your presentation. He was focused, engaged and had relevant questions at the end of the demonstration.
Thank you for providing a great opportunity for our students to see the art making process. They were able to learn that the things they are passionate about now might be something they can learn to do as a career in the future.
René Ponder/Teacher for special need students / Crocker Highlands Elementary School / 525 Midcrest Rd., Oakland, CA 94610/ 510-451-
COMIC BOOK RETAIL STORES:
"Jerry, thank you for being our special guest at the Great Lakes Comic-Con. It was truly a pleasure to have you with us this weekend. Your presence helped to make this a wonderful event."
- Mike & Amy DeSantis 2/22/2020
"Thanks again for being our guest today! We had a great sales day, and our guests had an awesome time with you too! They LOVED the tutorials!"
- Darryl Blaker (01/21/2018) / Emerald City Comics, Clearwater Florida
"Jerry, just wanted to thank you again for yesterday. It is great how you can sit and talk with people and my customers think you're awesome. We had a great sales day and even had some new customers show up. Just to let you know, you have a second home at Legends and you are always welcome here."
- Jay at Legend's Comics, Florence South Carolina