Dave McDonald

INDIVIDUAL - SCAD ID - #135



Designations

  • SCAC Verified Teaching Artist


Contact

dmcreative411@gmail.com
http://www.davemcdonald.com/
Cumberland County, NC


Discipline

  • Visual Art


Geographical Availability

  • Upstate
  • Midlands
  • PeeDee/ Grand Strand
  • Low Country
  • Western Piedmont
  • Olde English

About

YouTube and Instagram @DaveMcDonaldArt

Artist Bio

Dave McDonald began his career in television as a producer/director/writer in local children’s programming. He has written scripts for theatrical productions (Scooby Doo musical shows/Paramount Theme Parks), toured as a puppeteer with Grey Seal Puppets, and is the author/illustrator of the kids graphic novel, Hamster SAM: ODD-ventures in Space! (2013). For 15 years, “Mr. Dave” has been an accredited teaching artist with the South Carolina Arts Commission and the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County, NC. He’s a featured cartooning/comics video instructor on the educational apps: Epic! and Highbrow and on his YouTube channel, Dave McDonald Art. And for some reason, he wrote his BIO in 3rd person!

Artist Statement

I write and draw to amuse myself, frankly; and as my sense of humor aligns with your average 3rd grader, I am instantly connected to my audience. I use pencils, paper, and ink pens to create my comic art which are common tools that elementary students are familiar with. I teach that simple shapes become super characters and discuss the use of personification to ensure that every student succeeds – even the most reluctant artist finds a place at my drawing table.

Teaching Artistry Details

Teaching Artist Statement

I write and draw to amuse myself, frankly; and as my sense of humor aligns with your average 3rd grader I am instantly connected to my audience. I use pencils, paper, and ink pens to create my comic art; common tools that elementary students are familiar with. I teach that simple shapes become super characters and discuss the use of personification to ensure that every student succeeds- even the most reluctant artist finds a place at my drawing table.

Description of Offerings

YouTuber and author/illustrator Dave McDonald presents his KIDS MAKE COMICS assembly programs and 4-day residencies to grades 2-5. In the assembly (grades 2-5), students draw along step by step with Mr. Dave to create original characters and discover how easy and fun it is to begin writing stories for their characters! The residency program(grades 3-5) is project-based; each student will create their very own full-page comic, guided by Mr. Dave, and it can be a “just for fun” comic or done as a cross-curricular comic. He also offers virtual programs or residencies. He has several years of experience providing virtual programs(assemblies & residencies) using Zoom, Google Meet. The program follows my in-person outline and so the outcome is the same. He has worked with students with disabilities. In my experience, students with disabilities have come into the classroom/auditorium with an assigned teacher that guides that student based on my directions.

Experienced with the following age groups
  • 3rd-5th Grade
Materials Provided to Schools or Organizations by Teaching Artist
  • I provide the drawing paper for the final student projects, and students are welcome to use my ink pens while I’m with them to ink their comics. I send a pre-visit and post-visit document prior to my visits which outlines the program as well as providing technical requirements.
Physical and Technical Requirements of a School or Organization
  • Assembly: Laptop and projector/screen or large Smart TV screen set up. Handheld microphone. Students need to arrive w/ pencil & 1 piece paper.
  • Residency: Laptop/Smart board in each classroom, space in front of room to set up my easel.