See the real Maxine & her creator.......

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
See the real Maxine & her creator.......
9
Sat, 01-17-2009 - 8:47pm

 


The Mystery  is Solved...

I Never knew who the creator of Maxine was! This is interesting. After the  Maxine jokes there is a summary on how she was created, and a  photo of her creator.


More  from the gal everyone loves and  admires.

And you finally get  to meet her creator at the  end!


 











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John Wagner, Hallmark artist since  1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts  and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when  'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes  at St. John's Catholic School he attended in Leonia,  NJ

John remembers doodling as  a preschooler, and says both his grandmother and his mother  encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the  Vesper George School of Art in Boston , and landed at Hallmark  as part of a new artists group.   ;

But it was the birth of the humorous  Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986  that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The  Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he  created Maxine.

'Cartoonists  are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to  humanize them,' John  says.

'If Maxine can get a  laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is  getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if  she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal  relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's  face is what it's all  about.'

Those smiles have led  to Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have  been the subject of media stories, including People, USA  Today, Good Morning A merica, The Wall Street Journal, St.  Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they  have been included in a major Associated Press  story.

Collector and trade  publications have reported that fans nationwide are collecting  Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and  Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine. Many  people say they are just like  Maxine.

Why the name  'Maxine'? 'People at Shoebox started referring to the  character as 'John Wagner's old  lady,'

And I knew that would  get me into trouble with my wife,' John says. The Shoebox team  had a contest among themselves to name the character, and  three of the approximately 30 entries suggested  'Maxine.

John says the name  is perfect.

John, who says  he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud  of her.

 







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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2003
Sat, 01-17-2009 - 9:02pm
very interesting!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2007
Sun, 01-18-2009 - 7:27am

Oh I just love Maxine - she is my idol!!!

Granny to Caleb and Scotia

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2005
Sun, 01-18-2009 - 10:44am
Thanks fr sharing that Donna!!
Glenda's Christmas
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Take Me Camping ! 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Sun, 01-18-2009 - 12:12pm
OH Donna that is so interesting, and thanks for sharing..
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Sun, 01-18-2009 - 1:40pm

What do you mean? Did you work for Hallmark or try to get hired there?


Do tell..inquiring minds doncha know..LOL!!







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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2003
Sun, 01-18-2009 - 9:18pm
How about that Donna.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Mon, 01-19-2009 - 5:39am
Well when I was in college I took an elective in greeting card design.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Mon, 01-19-2009 - 10:46am

OIC! Makes me think of when my DD1 was in high school and took photography her last two years and was very good at it. She wanted to get a job at National Geographic. LOL!


Hearing


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 01-20-2009 - 12:01am
Wow very interesting Donna,
She is great :)


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