In our latest blog, Jadore Nicholas of JK Cartoon Studios tells us how he has been working with the museum as our Young Cartoonist in Residence.
In December 2021 I attended an interview with the Cartoon Museum for work experience, and they were so impressed with my characters – ‘The Jadoodles’ (which come in all shapes and sizes, showing us feelings and emotions, reminding us to make time for them all) and illustrations that they offered me a residency. While the details were sparse at the time, I was excited for the new year! The residency started in February and it has been designed by Amba, Community Engagement Officer, to work around me. I started my residency by customising The Cartoon Museum windows with ‘The Jadoodles’ – this was something I was planning to do on my own garden door, so it was perfect! Additionally, I debuted my 3 new artworks: Westside Jadoodle, Pulling Page Jadoodle and Smiley Face Jadoodle, exclusively stocking the postcards for these artworks in the Cartoon Museum gift shop.
I spend my time at The Cartoon Museum exploring the galleries to get inspired by the many old cartoons in the collection. Additionally, I am able to learn more about cartoons as I am surrounded by experts like Steve, Learning and Outreach Officer, who is an expert in the history of cartoons, and uses this inspiration to do his own artwork and host workshops. I have also been leading workshops at ‘Relaxed Monday’ events. My first workshop included my JKCS colouring sheet and then for my second Relaxed Monday, I planned a workshop that allowed participants to customise their own small windows to take home, either with their own design or a Jadoodle character – which I helped with by explaining step by step.
The Relaxed Monday workshops have grown my confidence from strength to strength, as well as developing the workshops I offer. Starting with my own JKCS colouring sheet sessions, I now lead workshops where I tutor participants on how to draw Jadoodles. I was able to adjust my approach depending on the type of group – for families I was able to show them on their table, but when a group of teenagers attended a later session, I used the flip chart at the front of the room to keep everyone engaged (and make sure they all could hear and see) – even running a competition for the best window to win a JKCS postcard. One special moment for me was when I assisted a person in a wheelchair with special needs to a 1-to-1 session on the board.
To celebrate my residency at The Cartoon Museum, I hosted a takeover of the museum on 15 November for a special event showcasing my responses to the collection at the museum – as well as a few other surprises!
by Jadore Nicholas
The Cartoon Museum Blog 