Who I am

Jim "TheCartoonGuy" Graves, Circa 1971

Just a skinny kid from Rexdale, who always wanted to draw cartoons!  

I've been drawing for as long as memory serves. Drawing for me is a bit like breathing, as in it's not really a choice so much as it's something I NEED to do.  You can call me Jim or graves (he/him).

By profession I am a published Illustrator, Character artist/Visual development designer and very enthusiastic Educator, based in Toronto, Ontario Canada. 🇨🇦

As far as "drawing" as a way of life goes, it was at a very early age (like 4 or 5 years old, early) when I first acquired my passion for drawing cartoons and illustrating the world around me. Whether it was animated or in print, I was hooked! I spent countless hours as a child drawing and watching cartoons.

I drew and drew and drew some more. Then drew some more (you get it)

If you were looking for me when I was a kid, you’d likely find me one of two places: in the basement drawing up a storm while watching cartoons, attempting to mimic as best I could, my favorite cartoon character's voices. Saturday mornings were the best! The other place would have been in my room with my nose wedged between the pages of a comic book. 

(I was a pale kid)

 

My Mum (a school teacher) always encouraged me to doodle. My Dad (A very talented amateur artist, himself) kept me in paper the best he could, (which was no minor feat people) and my sister always took great interest in my drawing and encouraged me. She also taught me to sign everything and to be proud of my work. I was very lucky to have such a supportive family. They all got behind me and allowed me to do ma thang!

Fast forward through junior school, middle school (that wonderful time when all your teachers tell you NOT to draw in your notebooks)... you’d find me drawing in ALL my notebooks and on pretty much anything i could put my pencil to. After "surviving" middle school you'd find me at The Etobicoke School of the Arts majoring in Visual Arts for five years. 

It was during high school that I worked for the Aquatics division of Parks & Recreation for the [then] City of Etobicoke as lifeguard and water safety instructor/ trainer/ supervisor. I taught a wide range of swimming lessons from Moms & tots to Bronze cross, NLS and Leaders/ Instructors. I was really sad when it was time to grow up and join the real world. :( I loved teaching.

Four years of drawing and painting at O.C.A (now with a D&U) and then an underwhelming stint at Sheridan,I was now more than well armed with what seemed like a million years of concentrated drawing and design under my belt. Most importantly, a ton of enthusiasm!
.. I was now more than ready to hit the ground running! The plan was to work. And work I have!!!... 

Once finished teaching, (or so I thought) I went out on my own doing freelance illustration, character and prop design for everything ranging from kids books/ magazines, to animation, advertising/marketing to any kind of storytelling-based art. 

My slogan: "You name it, I`toon it!" ;) ... And I have!

I always loved working both in studio and with freelance clients on new projects, but something was missing.

Remember how I mentioned earlier that I really missed teaching? Fast-forward again to November 2003, when an incredible opportunity presented itself in the form of [then] SCA Chair, Jed Decory offering me an incredible opportunity to interview for a position teaching Character design in Seneca's new Animation Arts Center in the new year. I jumped at the opportunity!!

The following Monday the late Larry DeFlorio (r.i.p), then AAC Coordinator, called and suggested we talk character design. After 20 years now, I feel confident in saying that the meeting went well!

I started teaching part-time at Seneca in January 2004 and since 2006, have been privileged to work full-time along side some of the most talented and dedicated artist-educators, and administrators out there, as a  faculty member at Seneca Polytechnic in School of Creative Arts & Animation.  

One of those amazing individuals is JoAnn Purcell, with whom I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from for the last 20 years! We developed the original ILS program together - what an education that was!.. JoAnn's a consummate builder and was also integral in the creation and implementation of the original animation program at Seneca. JoAnn has certainly left her mark on Seneca. SCAA is not what it is today without JoAnn's finger prints on it.

Looking back, it's kinda funny - I was literally hired to cover the Character design for animation courses over the winter term back in 2002 and here I am, still here doing my part in helping my students make their dream come true. It's one of the greatest aspects of my life, this teaching thing. For me, there's nothing more rewarding than teaching.

I'm happy to say that 20+ years later I still love what I do. 

Every day provides the opportunity to learn and grow. 

I remain a work in progress. 

Thanks for reading!

- graves

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