"I am writing this letter to highly recommend Jerry deCaire as a guest artist to your classroom. Jerry spent an afternoon working with my 6th and 7th grade art students. Comic book heroes and villains are of great interest to my middle school students and Jerry´s skill level amazed them all. The kids were able to see the steps he goes through to create a drawing. Using Jerry´s 1/2 method and his way of incorporating math, the students were constructing their own drawings in no time. They were amazed at how his formula simplified the proportions of the characters". "Jerry was absolutely candid about how he developed as an artist and what steps he took to become the success he is today. The kids loved hearing about his early days and how even he struggled with his art in the beginning. He had an easy rapport with the kids that made them connect and feel comfortable asking him questions. He gave the kids his drawings at the end of his presentation which really impressed them. The following day at school the art room was being filled with drawings of super heroes that the kids had done at home. When the kids go home to draw, you know they are excited. They were enchanted with these new skills; they could not wait to share them. I saw my students eyes light up when they learned that math could be used in art to help your drawings look more realistic. It was a unique experience having an artist that could show kids how other disciplines are important and necessary for artists. I feel he really stressed the importance of learning across the curriculum." Holly Lampen Comic artist Jerry deCaire visited the Middle School in November to deliver a unique interdisciplinary presentation showing how he uses math skills to create illustrations for comic books. His presentation consisted of drawing demonstrations beginning with a shape, such as a cube or a cylinder, and creating drawings of comic book heroes (including Wolverine, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, and Superman) from that shape using math skills. To the delight of a captivated student audience, deCaire gave away completed drawings at the conclusion of the assembly. He also visited math and art classes throughout the day. Mr. deCaire visits schools in an effort “to inspire in the math student an appreciation and respect for the arts as an equal partner in the world of academia, and to inspire art students to recognize the importance of math skills-many are stunned to learn that geometry can be a great assist in the creation of a well-informed drawing or painting”. (source: www.comicartist.net) Please refer to the article included in MICDS’s bi-annual publication, MICDS Magazine: http://www.micds.org/ftpimages/243/download/MICDSMag.pdf 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. Most of all, 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!” Amy Powney / 6th Grade Math Teacher / Harrison Middle School, "What an awesome program you presented at Seymour Library! We really appreciated it Jerry...but more importantly, 50-60 other people enjoyed it thoroughly! Stay in touch!" Jeanne Clemo "Jerry’s programs were a hit at our schools. His art work is outstanding, and for many of the children in his workshops, it was a first to meet a professional artist. They were engaged and inspired." Jay Lamar "Jerry´s performance was outstanding. He relates the art world to many school subjects. He was so well received by the students. They want to know how to keep in touch with him and share their artwork". Tom Martin-Gregory Middle School "An inspiring speaker who interested kids in his passion for art". Tim-Kill-Gregory Middle School Lon Lademann-Gregory Middle School Joan Mayotte-Gregory Middle School Naperville, Illinois Why are Students Interested? Is this Practical? 
http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2011/04/01/news/doc4d950f4da2a2a414313079.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Professional Teacher Endorsements:
Art Teacher for East Grand Rapids Public Schools
East Grand Rapids Middle School
2425 Lake Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-235-7551
Article in MICDS's newspaper:
"Math Meets Art"-Comic artist Jerry deCaire visits MICDS Middle School"
"I never saw kids make so many connections to their world, their studies and art"!
-Lon Lademann-Gregory Middle School
"Mr. DeCaire´s ability to seamlessly connect mathematics education to the world of comic book art kept the students engaged and interested and opened their eyes to connections between disciplines they didn´t think existed.
Grand Rapids Public Schools / (616) 819-7468
Grand Rapids Public Libraries Seymour Branch
Center for the Arts & Humanities
Alabama Center for the Book
Pebble Hill
Auburn University, AL 36849
334-844-4946
"I never saw kids make so many connections to their world, their studies and art"!
"We would love to have Mr. DeCaire´s presentation become an annual event. Students related to his sense of humor, his connection to the superheroes they love, and to his artistic talent".
Professional Artist Endorsements:
"Jerry Decaire has shown me work that indicates vast classical art training. Here is one artist who should be working the top ranks in the comic field, a field which is always in need of foundationally trained artists. DC, Marvel, or anyone else for that matter, should definitely take advantage of this superb talent" -Steve Rude http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Rude
"Graphic power with artistic subtlety " - Joe Rubinstein http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Rubinstein
"The best sense of design and placement of blacks since Alex Toth" - Jackson (Butch) Guise
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Guice
"As good as the best in the business" - John Buscema http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema
"Highly professional work" - John Romita Jr. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Romita_Jr
"Pure Genius" - Timothy Bradstreet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Bradstreet
Students are already familiar with the X-Men and the other comic book characters I have illustrated. They carry with them a curiosity about superheroes long before I enter the classroom. That is why both educational substance and sensational entertainment come together in this unique presentation.
Will the Classroom Stay in Control?
This presentation does not inspire chaos in the classroom and the teacher will always maintain discipline as students typically present with an intense curiosity about how the popular characters they have grown to know and love are actually made. Students will also discover that the many lessons their art teacher gives to them over the course of a semester are not only applicable to the creation of a drawing or a painting, but are indeed fundamental to the making of a comic book.
Value Towards an Art Student's Future?
Art students interested in furthering their art education will find that university art programs are progressively becoming more interdisciplinary in their philosophy and content. This sort of art education addresses the community's need for art to be more useful, practical, and "real" in its cummunal service applications.
With comics, many disciplines and core subjects merge with art. For example, the comic artist must understand human musculature and articulations no more, no less than the medical illustrator in regards to its superficial characteristics. Here, science and art seamlessly blend. The comic artist must also understand linear perspective. It is a mathematical topic that scares many students but, in order to draw comics, it is a subject that must be learned. The most obvious interdisciplinary aspect to comic art is the coupling of both the written word and accompanying visuals. This is why comic art is referred to as Sequential/Visual Narrative.
A less obvious partner in the making of a comic is the subject of history. Jerry deCaire has worked on a 19th century piece and the historical research required to find visuals that adapt to the story can be staggering. I can visit as many classes or assemblies as is needed throughout the day. This is educational fun for everyone and a chance to get students of math and art together in one room at the same time. I am available to be moved around at your discretion for any class or assembly and on any subject as this is an interdisciplinary presentation. The most exciting part of this presentation for the student is when I draw their favorite superhero and then give it away-for FREE! I am always open for requests. If a student, for example, asks for a Batman drawing, I will then, step-by-step, render Batman utilizing my trademark approach. I will talk and educate while drawing at the same time. Every step will be explained and every move of the pencil will be attributed its logical intent. No stone will be left unturned as amazement quickly turns into understanding. State by State Arts Councils A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W http://dir.yahoo.com/Education/Organizations/Grant_Making_Foundations/ http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Mathematics/Education/Organizations/ "I firmly believe that if comics were the only subject mastered by students, they would genuinely receive a very thorough education".
Content or Social Development?
Public schools are more and more emphasizing teamwork and social corroboration amongst peers, as these traits are necessary for success in virtually any field. From written story to complementary visuals to computer coloring, lettering, editing, print preparation, print production, and finally distribution and retail sales, comics are never created by one person. The making of a comic requires contributions from writers, artists, editors, publishers, art directors, print technicians and many other professionals.
So Where's the Fun?
All of my sketches are given away after completion and if you like, you can decide which student gets a free drawing. As the instructor, you also get a free drawing of your favorite character or I can even draw you or a family member into your favorite character. Please let me know ahead of time so I can do a better than ordinary drawing for you.
Fees
For fee information and further details, email Jerry DeCaire
If you would like help with grant applications, we can do that for you.
Simply click on the letter of your state...
Other Grant Funding:
http://dir.yahoo.com/Arts/Education/Organizations/
-Jerry deCaire
