What Folks are Saying!

Here are a few of the letters and emails I receive, and a special link to "Letters from Alumni..." teenagers and adults who learned how to draw in 3D with my TV shows, videos and books. I'd love to hear from you too!

You can send me e-mail. Let me know what you think about the TV show, or the books, or this website. Send along a picture you've scanned into or drawn with your computer! I get a lot of e-mail every day (so I can't promise a personal reply), but I love to read your messages and see your artwork (you just might see your picture in the gallery the next time you visit).

A note via email!
My youngest daughter loves your book!

....We used it in our Home school in Botswana. We have now moved to Zambia. Our internet access if "iffy" at best (I am at your web site just now obviously and have seen most of the information there) and I would love to get more lessons in book form. It was very easy to be enthusiastic with your book! Thanks for helping a girl, who does not like art, to enjoy it.

David and Sally
EvaLynn and Kathryn

A delightful posting by Melissa Wiley on her blog.

Amazing Art with Mark Kistler

I've written before about how much Jane has enjoyed working through the drawing lessons in Mark Kistler's books. When I saw that Mark Kistler himself was offering a summer art camp right here in San Diego, I jumped at the opportunity.

"Hey, Jane," I said, ever so casually, "would you be interested in taking an art class with Mark Kistler?"

"WHAT??????!!!!!!!!!!!" she shrieked, puncturing my left eardrum. (I think I counted the number of exclamation points correctly, but there may have been more.) "REALLY????!!!!" :::pop:::: There went my other eardrum.

"I take it that's a yes?"

I couldn't hear her response, but fortunately I have learned a lot of sign language. I interpreted the jumping-up-and-down and maniacal grinning as a yes, and signed her up.

On Day Two of the camp, Rose demanded to know why she wasn't part of this experience. She fit the age range, so I'm not really sure why I didn't think to sign her up as well. Perhaps my powers of thought were thrown off by the shrieking and the ruptured eardrums and whatnot.

Happily, Day Two was "Bring a Friend Day," so I was able to sign Rose up for the rest of the week-long camp.

We could have signed up for two sessions?"Draw! Draw! Draw!" and "Beyond Pencil Power"?but I had some scheduling conflicts with the larger chunk of time, so we (to the children's disappointment) limited our participation to Draw! Draw! Draw!, a one-hour session five days in a row.

They have had the most fabulous time.

They love Mark Kistler. He's a great guy, every bit as engaging and funny as his books. My girls love his sense of humor and his energy. They come out of class full of laughter and stories?and the drawings, my word, the drawings.

Mark teaches the basics of 3-D drawing. His style is cartoonish, which appeals to the kids. His technique is rock solid, and the concepts they have learned will serve them well for a lifetime of drawing: foreshortening, shading, finding where light would hit the object you are drawing. The kids walked out of the very first class with impressive and delightful drawings. They are thrilled. They are bubbling over with excitement. They are distraught because today is the last day of class.

Never fear!, I told them. We can take Mark Kistler home with us. Of course we already have the cherished copy of Draw Squad, and now (thanks to a little bartering action, heh heh?Mark has a young daughter who is just the right age for Little House) we have his Imagination Station book as well, along with a couple of his drawing-lesson DVDs, which contain episodes of Mark's popular PBS show of the same name.

And then there's his website, which is loaded with good stuff. You can download art lessons and even sign up for Mark's online drawing school. There are some free lessons to give you a taste of how it works. It's a nifty format, with animations to walk you through each step.

My girls couldn't wait to try out the new DVDs, and I have to tell you, I was blown away by the drawings Beanie?six years old, you know, and the only one who did NOT attend Mark's workshop (next year, I promised her, if he offers the camp here again)?produced after watching the show: a whole page of 3-D cartoon ghosts chasing each other around.

My point being: Mark's methods are highly effective, probably because they are so much fun. I only wish I could sign up for the class myself next year. (Actually, parents can sit in on the classes for free, and there's a kids-and-adults mixed session in the evenings. I couldn't swing it, what with the baby and the toddler, but the opportunity was there.)

I'll just have to content myself with watching the DVDs. These kids are having too much fun. I've got to get in on the action.

Dear Mark, When I was a kid I watched the Secret City RELIGIOUSLY! ;) I loved it! I started into art in highschool because of it. I was never that good - and never let my art be free like you always taught - but I aspired to draw like you and like you taught me too. I now teach Philosophy and Religion in Cypress Texas (Cy-Fair College) and have given up my pursuits in art. Nothing went wrong and I never had a bad experience - life just led me in a different direction.

I sit with my kids (two boys 2 and 3 1/2) and help them color and draw often. I have not forgotten the lessons you taught me and try to pass them on to my kids. When they get a little older I am going to enroll them in your classes.

Frankly, I just wanted to e-mail to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being one of the heros I could look up to as a kid. I know as a kid I put you on a pedastal - but still you gave me something to want to be, something to love, and never let me down. You taught me to let my imagination roam and to be wild and free with my thinking and drawing. Even though you were on T.V. I felt like you really cared about all your 'kids' out there in T.V. land - of which I was one. I am SO very glad you are still doing this and I am sure you are still inspiring thousands.

Thanks for being there for me after school and being one of my heros. I don't use that phrase lightly and cannot think of another person that I have even attempted to contact to thank them.

I plan on stopping by when you are in Grand Rapids, MI in a few weeks (I vacation back home in the Kalamazoo area) and buying a few books for my kids and shaking your hand. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.

Jason Moulenbelt
Professor of Philosophy and Religion
Husband and Father of Two

Hey Mark, I met you when I was in elementary school and I am 26 now. It's been a while! I just want to thank you for being such a hero to me. You were the first real inspiration I had with art and I was so excited to watch your show that I'd sit down extra early and wait. :) When I met you I was shy and didn't say much. You kept me afterwards and had me draw on the projector to show the teachers how your teachings work. For some reason I wasn't all that pressured being as shy as I was!

I work on videogames now as the art director and lead animator. I told you this a few years ago, BUT the cool new twist now is that I co-founded an independent game company and released a successful game! We're working on the second one. It is so much fun that it is unbelievable. Every time I draw something foreshortened I don't forget who taught me that. Please never quit what you're doing. You give kids so much positive energy it is astounding!!!       best regards, dan paladin

Dear Mark : I am wondering if you remember signing a pen and ink picture made by Alex Ulichny . You signed it "Wow!" and your name. I showed you a book of composite facial parts that were to be traced, and explained to you that Alex did not trace but looked at the images and applied them to his own work. You said to Alex , "May I shake your hand?" Alex was a little shy. You shook his hand and said, " When you are showing your work at an exhibition in New York City, and an old man comes up to you and says ,'Do you remember me? Remember this day , because I was the first to tell you that some day you would be a great artist." You also said something to the effect that ..." I have been all over the country and had not ever seen anything like this." We still have the ink drawing ,framed, of course and display it. Thanks for your inspiration,
       Arthur Ulichny from Elm Grove, WI

Dear Mark, I took your advice and went and looked at your "Imagination Station" book. I also found that the bookstore that I went to had your "Draw Squad!" book. I am pleased to say, I was so impressed with the two of them. I quickly bought the last copy of each that they had and brought them home. I spent alot of time looking through the student art, and even getting to see some of yours. I didn't have the pleasure of seeing you on your secret city show, but I have heard stories that you created a HUGE mural city and added a piece to it every show! Is that true? If it is, do you have a picture of it I could see? I would love to see it. Or even better would love to know how to make one of my own.

All of your art, your students art, and all of your books have inspired me to draw so much! As a matter of fact, I even went so far as to go ahead and draw from your online lessons. I had what you call my first "Art Attack!" I started with one phreddy phish, and somehow, FOUR hours later, had four of his friends and some polka dot coral! That's awesome! I would have never made it that far with other books or websites, all for the simple fact that seem to make it so LABORED! Thank you so much for caring about kids, and thank you even more for caring about some adults who are really wanting to learn to draw! I'll be looking forward to hearing from you once again.        Regards, Cliff Jayne. Wichita, Ks

We have been using your drawing lessons as we homeschool in Mozambique, Africa. The whole family is enjoying them and turning out great pictures as well. Anyway, my kids won't give me any peace until I send in some of their drawings. Thanks!        HK from Mozambiique, Africa

Dear Mark, I want to thank you for such a FUN show! I am a stay-at-home-mom who loves your show as much as my 5 yr. old does! I am tickled pink with your positive and peaceful attitude on the show! My 5 yr. old son is so excited to draw with you in the morning that he has his sketchbook and drawing supplies all laid out on the coffee table before your show comes on at 9:00 on PBS (WDSE-TV channel eight, Duluth, MN). I would like to know if you could make a recomendation on what DVD or video and/or drawing books would be most appropriate for his age. He will be 6 in October and we'd like to get him one of your DVD's or video and/or book. Sometimes he has a hard time keeping up or gets frustrated because he can't quite make the drawing you did. Your positive comments about "not having to be perfect" and "'having your own style", etc. really help. When he can follow you and "keep up" he is so PROUD of his artwork he just beams! He can't wait to show his papa his drawing when he gets home! If it was too hard he'll say he was just doing a warm up drawing.

Thanks again for such a POSITIVELY DELIGHTFUL SHOW! I wish you could see my son with his pencil on his head screaming: "ART ATTACK!"...I think I will go buy a sketchbook and join him-"DRAW! DRAW! DRAW!"        Artfully yours, Marcia Perry in Cornucopia WI

"Mark, I have 2 of your wonderful learning books and have just become a member of your web site. I just had to let you know how much joy you have brought to my life. I am a 40 year old mom and when my children were young we would sit in front of the TV every time your show came on and DRAW DRAW DRAW!! The story type boards you did in different worlds started us sharing all kinds of ideals. We would draw for hours after and play together this way. My children are grown and gone now but some of my happiest memories were of us being together and drawing with you! I can't thank you enough. I just wanted you to know that you make a difference. Good teachers usually do!        Thank you, Ann Mathis"

"I love to quilt but have been scared to go beyond stupid blocks and do the things I want to do - the things I see in my mind. On Friday, I came across your recent book displayed in a prominent spot in Barnes & Noble. After the first page I was hooked. I picked up Draw Squad as well and since Friday I have been drawing and drawing and drawing. Yes, all simple tables but what fun I've had! Entire pages filled with funny little tables. And EXTRAS!
YOU ARE MY HERO!
And if any adults tell you they are too old to draw tell them "HA! I know a granny who is going great guns and so can you!" I am 54 with 5 grandchildren. You know what? Drawing these past few days has made me feel young.        THANK YOU! Valerie Duncan"

"I am a teacher at Haverhill Elementary in Portage, Michigan. I was in the audience for your presentation today and I just want to tell you how much my students and I enjoyed your program. I am 62 years old, near retirement, but I have always had the desire to write for children and to be able to draw. You made it seem so easy, for the first time in my life. I am ordering your program for myself. Who know where it may lead me. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us. "

"Our homeschooling family has used plenty of resources over the past 10 years, but there is no debate around here as to which one was the treasure. Your drawing books, videos, and site take the cake. They have been our children's favorite passtime for all of that 10 years. We were just discussing this a few days ago and agreed that there are many good artist in this world, but what makes Mark Kistler special is his personality. He's funny, he's friendly, and he's focused on the positive parts of life. Thank you, Mark, for brightening up our home and helping our sons to see the delight and satisfaction in learning. You are still the #1 resource that we recommend to other homeschoolers, and we hope your life is going great!"

"Dear Mr. Kistler, My name is Nettie and I just wanted to drop you a note with a little story.

I have a nephew and two nieces ages 12, 9 and 2. Both of the older kids love to draw and one of the things we have always done is sit together and have little drawing sessions at the kitchen table that could go on all day. My niece has some really amazing artwork for a 12 year old. I had been looking for a book for her for the longest time. She is no longer in the children's section but not quite at the adult level of "how to's" yet. This is a hard in-between stage to find art books for.

Browsing around in Border's bookstore I came across your book Drawing in 3D. I thought "what a perfect book for her! It's not childish and it has some very very important concepts in here from shading to persepective - that are presented in an awesome fashioin!" So I bought the book.

When I got home, I decided to try some of the lessons in your book. It's been a long long time since I drew stuff. Once upon a time I used to always walk around with my sketchbook and pencil in my bag. I learned how to draw because I wanted to take notes of places I had been too and didn't always have a camera.

Well, the story is that my brother got killed in Iraq in February 2004 in the line of duty. The family was devastated. My brother was not just a brother but also a guide in my life and my best friend. I felt quite lost after the funeral and media left us alone. I started to fall apart in many ways.

The book never made it to my niece. One morning I opened your book and started drawing. I realized that part of me was falling apart because I never took time out for myself anymore. I was always worried about everyone else. I will have to buy my niece a book of her own. Through this book I have once again rediscovered my passion for art and for drawing. I have now made a commitment to spend an hour of quiet time every morning before I start my day with my sketchbook. I have also realized that in many ways this has helped me through a most difficult time in my life. I am not big on talk therapy and psychology. I do realize that this book has brought back a part of me that I had missing inside for a long time due to "growing up" and paying the bills.

What I am trying to say is that you have helped me in many ways with your wonderful attitude and approach to drawing. You don't even know me and yet you have touched on my life in an amazing way. I will be seeing my nieces and nephew and sister in law this August and I will bring your book along to share with them at our little sessions at the kitchen table drawing on a Sunday morning. I just wanted to say thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Nettie Wong

"Hi Mark -You are the very best art teacher there is...I'm 55 years old and have taken many classes but love your lessons best because you so thoroughly teach the principles, the progression, the importance of repeating and doing variations ..all the while (and this is your true gift) in a really fun, creative, totally none threatening (the killer of creativity) way. I'm so excited, I am about to sign up for the School of Imagination.! I wish you the very best and hope you know what a contribution you're making to people of all ages."

Coco Carey

"Mr. Kistler - I recently picked up a copy of one of your books. I am not an artist, but I am a consummate doodler, and my hobby has served me well through many a monotonous meeting. Any way, I was intrigued by your work because while your designs are often infinitely complex, they are equally simple and clean, so I bought your book for my personal enjoyment.

I am a hockey coach for kids in the 7 to 8 year old range. Recently we had the opportunity to go on a road trip for a series of games several hours from home. On one of the days we had a game early in the morning, and our second game was not until mid-afternoon, which left me with a dilemma as to what to do with the team between games. The original plan was to rent a conference room at the hotel and set up some movies to keep the kids relaxed and occupied. While doodling through a meeting on the week before our trip I came up with the idea of doing a 3-D drawing workshop rather than setting the kids down in front of the TV. I draw with my son at the kitchen table all the time, and I figured why not? To make a long story short, I went out and bought enough pencils and erasers for each player, a huge tablet of paper and some markers for me, and I even found a deal on 2,400 sheets of old tractor-feed computer paper for $4.99. I used one of your books as my study guide, prepared an interactive presentation, and went for it!

The kids had a blast, and came away with a lot more than they would have if we had watched Mighty Ducks one more time."

Larry Fiske
Anchorage, AK

"Dear Mark, I'm 25, married and have two young children. I came across your show on PBS this morning while looking for a great program for the kids to watch. I was so excited to see your show again, since I used to watch it when I was younger. I would doodle a lot in school and your show helped advance my drawings to the next level. I remember everyone saying how gifted I was and am still being encouraged by my family and friends to do something more with my artistic talents. Since having children that are still very young I have lost the time and energy to pursue those dreams for the moment. But seeing your show this morning as brought back the memory of those dreams and I feel encouraged again to reach for them. I'm now looking into art schools in my area and hope to start sending you letters of my progress. Thank you very much for encouraging children to dream and draw. What you do is truly an amazing thing."

Your Friend,
Jennifer

"Dear Mark, Thank you for the compliment on my being in the Air Force. It is now my opportunity to do the same. I work with our young men and women from our great land in defending our freedoms and way of life. It is teachers like you who mold their young minds in doing what is right for our society. I thank you for the hard work and effort you put into creating our next generations of great citizens. May God Bless! Keep up your great work. PS - I love your show!"

James Gutierrez, Albuquerque, NM

"This is just to say 'thank you' for being the incredibly talented and charismatic person that you are.You are indeed blessed, as are we who have the opportunity to watch your show and draw with your books. Thanks for your very entertaining method of tele-instruction."

Howard Shively
Farwell, MI

"I am the librarian at Silver Lake Elementary School in Grapevine, Texas. Drawing in 3-D with Mark Kistler is the most popular book in the library! I finally got my hands on it this past summer when school shut down!"

Brenda Burmeister
Grapevine, Texas

"I am 14 years old. My teachers are amazed at all that I have learned from you. Because of your wonderful show, almost all of my drawings end up in art fairs. Thanks!"

Nicole Packard
Memphis, Tennessee

Your show is so cool !! I'm studying to be a Cartoons drawer so I watch your TV show each day I can. I'm a japanese style drawer but new style are always welcome :D It give me great skills and advices to draw better each time. ( sorry .. I'm a little clumsy with my english oh and my true name's Guylaine Ryu-chan is.. like.. my artist's name ^-^)

Ryu-chan in Quebec, Canada

Your show is the greatest! At first, I was not interested in drawing but after seeing your show, I love ARTS! Goodbye!

Jonathan in Singapore

"I would just like to say that I think your show is the COOLEST! I never miss it. Keep up the good work!

Matt from Mississippi
Age 10

"I am a homeschooling mom to three children who love your program. We have incorporated it into our daily learning . I am constantly amazed at what they learn just in the 30 minutes of watching and drawing with you."

Cheyenne
West Virginia Public TV Viewer

" I watch your show here in New York every day. The voices you make are so funny that my younger sister goes berserk when she hears them! I've been a big fan ever since I saw the show three years ago. See you on board the Imagination Station!"

David Cole
New York City

" I am a granny who can never miss your show! I also must admit that I couldn't resist and have purchased several of your wonderful books. Keep up the fun, encouraging work! You are WAY COOL!"

Betty
Dallas, Texas

"Thank you so much for all you do. Your drawing series is wonderful! I have a ten-year-old boy who LIVES for your show."

Cindy Sanders
Chicago, Illinois

"Just wanted to say 'thank you' so much for the joy you bring to our household and for your extreme dedication to children. You give kids an alternative to all the junk in the world."

Jeanette Patterson
Orlando, Florida

"Thank you for the inspiration you have given all of us. You were one of the few people who gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue a career in art. I am now a cartoonist and have done work for Marvel, Image Comics and Fox animation studios."

Dan Frago
Grand Rapids, Michigan

"My name is Russell Sculley and I live in Singapore. I love your program and watch it whenever I can. I am 8 years old."

"We are your biggest fans! We record every one of your shows. Before we saw your show, our drawings were junky. But, after we began drawing in 3-D with you, our drawings were super! We showed our friends the tapes and they liked them a lot. Now, they are watching, too! We hope you do new drawing shows and that you will continue to inspire us and all the people in the world! We cannot survive without The Imagination Station."

Aaron and Jonathan Colon
Chicago, Illinois

" I am 38 years old and the father of two beautiful children. I just finished watching your show and, as usual, enjoyed it a great deal. You have stimulated a new fondness for pencil sketching in my life, which also doubles as fantastic quality time with my genius children!"

Kevin Thompson
Duluth, Minnesota

" I am a teacher of emotionally disturbed children in Detroit Michigan. My students think your books are very, very cool and your lessons are one method I use to reach them. Thank you for all the sacrifices you've made to bring your wonderful lessons to children such as these."

Jeff Proul
Jacoby School of Observation

" I use your Imagination Station series in my K-5 classrooms and the children love it! I always get results when I use them. The kids are so into it that they hold their drawings up for you to see when you ask them to!"

J. David Arnold
Indianapolis, IN