I live in Brooklyn, so it's easy for me to present in the New York City area. But I can also make a daytrip to the Boston area, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Virginia (where I have access to a car). My speakers fee depends on distance and travel expences, so please email me for more information or if you have any questions!

Presentation Content:
I open by playing the video trailer for Page by Paige, introducing myself, and introducing my graphic novel. I briefly run through my journey from nerdy student to teacher to artist, accompanied by embarrassing photos. I bring one of my sketchbooks, which were the core of my artistic development, to share in person. I run through my creative process of turning a raw emotion into a metaphorical drawing through visuals that show each step.

I discuss my unexpected discovery of graphic novels. I share my early attempts at sequential storytelling, show how my visual style evolved, and what I struggled with. (Like drawing hands!) I explain my intention in making Page by Paige, which was to share how creative expression can teach life lessons and encourage self discovery as it did for me.

Students receive fun permission slips and sign fun permission slips. Then a few student volunteers participate in a live reading of a excerpt from Page by Paige accompanied by the corresponding comic panels. I wrap up by answering questions from the students.

Fun Extras!
Students will each receive an artistic license to keep.
Students also fill out a fun permission slip, which I will collect and post online in my Agent of Whimsy archive.
Teachers will receive a Page by Paige discussion guide.
I will create a Paige-inspired chalk drawing in front of the school during my visit.
Finally, a signed copy of Page by Paige will be donated to the school library.

Why graphic novels?
Graphic novels can be helpful for reaching out to reluctant readers and engaging visual learners who might shy away from traditional text-heavy books. Comics have been gaining more popularity with readers, thanks in part to exposure from films adapted from graphic novels. And graphic novels have also been gaining acceptance by educators, who are including them more in curriculums and libraries. (To me this trend corresponds to the current visual culture argument in art education, which advocates teaching the visual language of contemporary media/advertising/comics/etc.) Graphic novels utilize visual storytelling and promote creative thinking. For example, Page by Paige is saturated with examples of metaphors and personification which are concepts taught both in language arts and visual art classrooms.

What’s my education background?
I have a masters in Art Education from James Madison University, with experience teaching K-12. In college I won the Crystal Theodore Service with Scholarship award and ran the Harrisonburg Very Special Arts Festival for special needs students. After graduation I taught art and crafts for two years in Louisa County Middle School where I taught everything from making ceramic teapots to two-point perspective. I have also volunteered for the Junior Art Club in Ghana, West Africa where I taught an after school program in various villages. I have been a presenter at the annual National Art Education Association conference as well as a guest speaker at James Madison University and Blue Ridge Community College.

Workshops:
If you are interested in a workshop rather than or in combination with a presentation, these are the lessons I’ve currently developed that are based on my own art process! They are designed to promote introspection and reflection through creativity rather than technical production skills.

The Art of Sketchbooks
In this workshop I share one of my original handmade sketchbooks, which inspired Paige’s artistic journey. I explain my process, experiences, and lessons learned while filling up almost 800 sketchbook pages. Depending on logistics and time frame, I can work with students on a simple drawing lesson based on one of my own go-to sketchbook activities OR I can actually teach students how to make their own sketchbook. Students will also receive a Paige-inspired sketchbook activity guide.

Mirror Self Portraits
Who do you REALLY see when you look in the mirror? Perhaps you have a secret identity, hide behind a mask, or imagine yourself living out your dreams? In this workshop, I help students reveal their true self by drawing on ACTUAL mirrors with wax pencils. This lesson is limited to 18 students because of materials.

Reprogram Yourself Self Portraits
What negative things do you tell yourself? Do you ever wish you could change what you think about yourself? In this workshop, I will help students “reprogram” their perceptions of themselves by creating a drawing completely out of WORDS. Students will use paper and basic drawing tools. This lesson is more suitable for mature students since it requires more thoughtful introspection and willingness to discuss.

How are You? Self Portraits
Every day we are asked the same question, “How are you?” But the answer is anything but simple! In this workshop, I share how I use metaphors to express my everyday feelings. I’ll help students identify some of THIER own personal symbols so they can draw a simple self portrait using their own unique metaphor.

And finally...

Does your school need a MURAL?
If you are interested in having me design a mural for your school, please send me an email! I can draw it out on the wall and paint it personally, or design it with the intention for the students to paint it collaboratively. Price would depend on size, complexity, and time frame to execute. I have extensive experience doing large scale painting from working as a freelance muralist/scenic painter since 2004 in schools, businesses, homes, theatres, special events, and window displays. (Even in high school I was painting murals in schools!) Please check out my scenic painting portfolio in my Flickr gallery to see my past projects.