Sketch with an Artist: A Children's Writing and Drawing Program

My last program for the year with the Chicago Public Libraries happens this Monday!

Sketch with an Artist: A Children's Writing and Drawing Program
When: Monday, December 5, 2016 (4:00PM-5:00PM)
Where: Garfield Ridge Branch
              6348 S. Archer Avenue
              Chicago, IL 60638

Description: Join us as we welcome illustrator, Justin Castaneda, as he shows us some basic drawing concepts that you can apply to creating your own book. Attendees will each receive their own blank book to use to create their own illustrated stories.

AADL Comics Forum

Earlier this year I attended Kids Read Comics at the Ann Arbor District Library and I was invited back to participate in a comics forum this Sunday to talk about visual storytelling and how I developed the When I Was Little series. Check it out if you're in the area click for more info:


Comics Forum with Justin Castaneda

School Visit: St. Mary School, Manchester, IA

This past weekend I attended the St. Mary's School in Manchester, Iowa to give a presentation on art in picture books and the concept of visual story telling.

It was April Author month at the school and my future wife's cousin was able to set up a speaking gig. I was nervous at first but as soon as I started talking to the kids I felt at home and hopefully I educated the kids with tips on art and story telling.

I did two presentations where I talked to kids from Kindergarten through 6th grade. I told the kids how my love for drawing lead me to writing and illustrating children's books. I also spoke about where the concept for the When I Was Little series came from.

Towards the end, I had a Q&A session where I answered questions about art, hobbies, and self-publishing. I was literally blessed as a gesture of thanks and well wishes as I wrapped up my last presentation for the day. I felt honored. I had an incredible time and the kids were well behaved and asked a lot of great questions.

Thank you to Mrs. Palmer, Dawn Gaffney, the students, and faculty of St. Mary's for hosting me and allowing me to speak about art and books at their school. Also thanks to Nicole who "held my hand" through the weeks of prepping on what I was going to talk about.

I look forward to more wonderful opportunities likes this to share my art and stories and to encourage kids to find a passion and pursue their own goals.

Oh and just a reminder, I will be at the C2E2 convention this weekend at McCormick Place. Artist Alley table L6A!

Post: KRC 2012

This past weekend, I attended Kids Read Comics in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I had an absolute blast! The Ann Arbor District Library is quite massive and has multiple floors and areas loaded with tons of books and computers.

The workshops and panels were spread across the library making it worth your time to check out each floor and area. I hosted two Drawing WIWL workshops this weekend which went over well.  One kid even drew a picture of me during my introductions. The kids in attendance and the ones walking through artist alley were very well behaved.  Nothing but smiles and "thank yous".

 

The KRC and AADL staff were fantastic! They kept the artists and attendees well informed of events and provided us with food and water throughout the day to keep us focused and freshed. I sat across from my table buddies and Almost Asian Tour members, JOE FOO and MIKE ROLL.  Joe brought a giant pad of paper and would occaisionally encourage kids to draw with some of the artists.  I got to share pen and paper with Joe, Mike, and Reed Gunther artist, CHRIS HOUGHTON. It was so much fun!

 

My table-mate at the show was SALLY CARSON, who is the amazing artist and writer of The Skids.  She is incredibly talented and great to share table space with.  She even did a sketch in my TMNT sketchbook which is flippin' great.  Learn more about her and her work at Fixpert. 
All in all it was a fantastic show.  I got to catch up with friends, made new ones, and had the absolute best time talking to kids about comics, drawing and When I Was Little.  I will definitely want to come back next year especially since I will be touring with Heart.

 

Next up for me is Cincinnati Comic Expo in September 22-23rd.  I'm taking a short break in July and August to catch up on my Heart rewards.

Where have I been? What to expect in 2012!

I apologize for the lack of updates but during the winter season I tend to hibernate with my new projects.  I did announce a new book and I am really excited about the project.  Since it's not WIWL related you can read more about that over here.  As far as WIWL is concerned I am still actively involved with that.  I will still be touring with the Coloring book as earlier conventions missed out on it's summer of 2011 release.  I am also going to be releasing buttons of my  8x10 prints under my good friends, Mutant Cactus.  I am extremely excited about this collaboration so please check them out for all your button and magnet needs! 

I am currently developing two final projects for the WIWL series that are sure to amaze.  I can't say anything because I want them to be a huge surprise and if everything goes well, one will make their debut in May.  *FINGERS CROSSED!

I hope to have more Drawing workshops in 2012 as well as participating with more organizations that are all about kids and comics.  I am excited for the year and what opportunities may open up.  When I Was Little will never go away and I hope you are okay with that.  It's all about going beyond books...it's about evolving the brand.

Post: Drawing When I Was Little

This past Monday I had the pleasure of hosting the first ever Drawing When I Was Little event at the Gail Borden Library.  There were two workshops in which I talked to kids, shared info about myself and the books, and help them create their own When I Was Little page.

It was such a great event.  The kids and parents participated and had a great time.  I had Nicole help me with sales afterwards and she snapped a few photos of myself doing the presentation and helping the kids with their art.  It was so fun and something I will definitely want to develop and grow for other libraries and schools.  

Here are some of the photos that were taken that day:

Big thanks to Bob Cassinelli and the Gail Borden Library for helping setting up the event.  Thanks!

Drawing When I Was Little!

Hi all,

This Monday I will be at the Gail Borden Library in Elgin for the first ever, Drawing When I Was Little.  I had the pleasure of meeting Bob Cassinnelli at this past year's Comic Book Mania Convention and wanted to put together something with the library.  We came up with this event where I would show kids how to make their own When I Was Little pages.

I will be doing two workshops one at 9:30am and a second one at 11am.  I will also be selling some books and coloring books and the kids will go home with one of  these nifty activity sheets I made this past week.  So come on down!!!!  Can't wait to meet everyone.

- Justin