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Bloom & Sketch: Learn to Draw with Emmy Award Winning Artist
Mark Kistler

The San Diego Botanic Garden is already one of the most magical spots in North County — lush plants, winding paths, and hidden nooks bursting with life. But on Saturday, September 14, it’s about to get even more colorful. Why? Because Emmy Award–winning San Diego artist Mark Kistler is bringing his sketchbook, his energy, and his sense of humor for not one, but two hands-on drawing workshops.

And trust me, whether you’ve been doodling since preschool or haven’t touched a pencil since high school geometry, this is the kind of event you don’t want to miss.

1:00 p.m. – Family-friendly, all ages welcome
3:00 p.m. – Adults-only (because grown-ups deserve fun too!)

Back to His Roots — and Discovering a New Favorite Spot

When I interviewed Mark about the upcoming event, one thing was crystal clear: after living in other parts of the country, he’s thrilled to be back in San Diego.

“I’m back, I’m back!” he grinned. “I grew up here — Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas. I even went to San Diego State. But get this… I lived here for decades and never once visited the San Diego Botanic Garden.”

That changed thanks to his fiancée, Susan. She had been a member of the garden for years and invited him along one afternoon. Within minutes, Mark was hooked.

“We walked in, and I was blown away. It’s magical. We joined as members right away,” the San Diego artist said.

But the real twist? When he signed up for that membership, a staff member recognized him from his PBS show The Secret City. One conversation led to another, and boom — a workshop idea bloomed right there at the front desk.

From Carlsbad Teen to TV Legend

Mark may be known around the world as the guy who got kids drawing 3D spaceships and dragons on the PBS shows “The Secret City” and “Imagination Station” in the ’80s and ‘90s, but his career started right here in San Diego.

“When I was 14, I started teaching after-school drawing classes through Carlsbad Parks and Recreation,” he recalled. “It was in this old church downtown. Then Oceanside invited me. Then Vista. Then Escondido. Pretty soon, I was 16 and teaching in 11 different cities. It was so much fun.”

That spark of joy never left. Decades later, Mark is still teaching kids and adults alike how to see the world in lines and shapes. And he does it with an energy that’s half stand-up comedy, half art lesson.

Why Teaching Still Lights Him Up

When I asked what he loves most about teaching, Mark leaned in with that trademark grin.

“It’s the spark,” he said. “That moment when a kid — or an adult! — realizes, ‘I can do this. I can actually draw.’ Kids in kindergarten, first, second grade, they don’t need convincing. They just grab the pencil and go wild. But by the time you hit high school or adulthood? People think they need permission to be creative.”

He’s right. How many of us have said, “Oh, I can’t draw a straight line”?

Mark isn’t having it.

“If you can write your name, you can draw,” he insists. “All you need are a few basic shapes — a line, a circle, a foreshortened circle. Once you’ve got those, you can draw anything.”

And his mission is to give people that permission — to laugh, to doodle, to fail, and to find joy in the process.

Drawing on Memory — For All Ages

Of course, there’s more to this workshop than learning how to sketch orchids and lilies. Mark’s also passionate about drawing as a brain-boosting tool.

“I’m preparing a TED Talk called Drawing on Memory,” he explained. “I’m 61 now, and I’ve been digging into the research. Turns out, dozens of universities have published studies showing that drawing is one of the most powerful tools for seniors to strengthen memory and keep the brain active.”

He’s been piloting the program in senior communities around Southern California, and the results have been nothing short of inspiring.

“You get a group of seniors together, and suddenly they’re laughing, they’re engaged, they’re making art. Drawing connects those synaptic pathways in the brain. It’s like exercise — but for your creativity.”

Which is why the 3:00 p.m. adults-only session at the Botanic Garden will lean into that side of his teaching. It’s not just about learning to sketch a plant — it’s about discovering (or rediscovering) the joy of drawing as an adult.

Courtesy of San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, CA

What You’ll Actually Do in the Workshop

Okay, so what can you expect if you grab a pencil and join?

Mark gave me a sneak peek: “We’re going to draw orchids, lilies, dragon flowers, lily pads — all inspired by what we see right in the Garden. And I’ll take you through it step by step. We’ll laugh, we’ll joke, and by the end you’ll have drawings you didn’t think you could make.”

The 1:00 p.m. family session is all about kids, parents, and grandparents drawing side by side — a chance to bond over creativity. The 3:00 p.m. adults-only class gives grown-ups the space to slow down, breathe, and draw without little ones running around.

Mark summed it up simply: “Whether you’re 5 or 85, drawing is joyful. And joy is something the world needs more of right now.”

From NASA Rockets to Instagram Live

Mark’s reach as an art teacher goes way beyond San Diego. During the pandemic, he even teamed up with NASA to create a series called Draw Artemis, blending rocket science with cartooning. He’s taught groups of 800 kids at schools around the world, and even once led a crowd of 5,000 students in Australia.

But these days, you can find him most often online.

“Every day, I go live on Instagram for what I call ‘Half-Hour Pencil Power,’” he said. “Sometimes I have guest artists join me — like Dan Fraga, who went on to illustrate Spiderman and Batman. My goal is to reach a million people through these sessions. Right now we’re at about 600,000. We’ll get there.”

That’s the kind of big, playful energy you can expect when you sit in a room with Mark — whether it’s in person at the Botanic Garden or streaming online.

Why You Should Go

At the end of our conversation, I asked Mark what he hopes people will take away from his workshops.

He didn’t hesitate:

“I want them to feel the joy of drawing. To know that anyone can do it. That drawing isn’t about being perfect, it’s about having fun and discovering creativity. If they leave with that spark, I’ve done my job.”

So here’s your invitation: Grab your family, grab a friend, grab your curiosity — and grab a pencil. Whether you join the family-friendly class at 1:00 p.m. or the adults-only session at 3:00 p.m., you’ll walk away with something more lasting than a drawing. You’ll walk away with joy.

And remember: if you can write your name, you can draw!