Overlook Elementary School had author/illustrator Mike Artell talk with their third grade class via Skype about his experiences as an author and illustrator. He also demonstrated on his computer a lesson in illustration, live from his home in Louisiana. The students were thrilled to learn from Mr. Artell; he showed them how to draw different facial expressions, lettering, and what it is like to be an illustrator. Mr. Artell then answered questions from the students. This was a follow-up activity to the story third graders read entitled “What Do Illustrators Do?” The students have spent the time since their discussion with Mr. Artell doodling and practicing their illustrations.
Since 1987, Mr. Artell has been a freelance writer/illustrator/cartoonist and children’s book author/illustrator. He hosted his own television show on WWL-TV, the CBS affiliate in New Orleans, where each week his show attracted more than 50,000 viewers and became #1 in the market in the time slot. He also created cartoons for many national publications including The Washington Post and Entrepreneur Magazine. Since publishing his first children’s books, he has written and/or illustrated more than 35 books, many which have won awards. His book PETITE ROUGE – A CAJUN RED RIDING HOOD was named 2009 Read Aloud Book of the Year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
