Get to Know Marc Brown: the man behind the aardvark
By Kaity Gruenling
Author and illustrator Marc Brown talked to SCAD students about his life with his “Arthur” book series Oct. 15.
A line at the door sprouted up an hour before the lecture and the enthusiasm for his arrival was met only by his own enthusiasm to talk to young artists.
Brown told his audience stories from his career and how Arthur came to life. When the lecture ended the line reached out the door to get an autograph, a picture and a hug from the beloved author. Brown answered every question, signed every book and sketchbook, and warmly hugged the fans that had grown up with Arthur.
Brown grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and based most of his characters off his third grade classmates. The frightening Mr. Ratburn was based off of Brown’s math teacher Mr. Rathburn. Brown always had an interest in art and attended the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Despite his art background, Brown took on numerous jobs that didn’t quite fit and he said that he was fired from every one of them. These jobs ranged from flower deliveryman with a bad sense of direction to a cook at a diner who couldn’t speak the kitchen lingo.
His favorite “fired” story to tell is when he was a TV art director and was asked to art direct the weather set. He came up with the idea of the “weather fairy” that asks the wishing well what the weather will be like. He says after pitching this idea to his producer he found a pink slip on his office door the next morning.
The lovable Arthur didn’t come to life until his son, Tolon, asked for a bedtime story about a “weird animal.” Brown said he decided that aardvarks didn’t get enough attention
Arthur the aardvark was born and “Arthur’s Nose” was published in 1976. Since then, over 65 million Arthur books have been sold and the hit television show has won five Emmy awards since its debut in 1996.
Through the years Arthur has gone through a makeover. When asked how his style has changed throughout the years he says that Arthur’s nose got shorter out of necessity. He had to draw Arthur facing forward and talking but his nose kept getting in the way of his mouth.
Brown’s style of art in general has changed to a less rendered approach. He says he learned to see children’s books through a child’s eyes.
When thinking back to the style of his first book Brown cringed a little and said, “I look at this now and feel like I’m going to a party in my underwear.”
Brown was eager to meet the students and offer any insight into the illustration business he could. He stressed a need to understand the business of illustration, and how to properly read a contract.
He also stressed how important it was for an aspiring artists to do their research about the business and how it takes determination and assertiveness to break into it.
When asked what the best piece of advice he’d ever received he replied with, “Do what you love and don’t give up.”
When asked what was the worst piece advice he’d ever received he thought for a moment, smiled, and said, “Stay within the lines.”
Brown now lives in Hingham, Mass. with his wife Laurie and still works on the Arthur television series.
