Duane Barnhart

I attended Seward Elementary, in Minneapolis, and my classmates remember me as the kid who constantly drew cartoons in the back of my notebook. I grew up to become a graphic designer, art director, photographer, writer and editor, but I always drew cartoons in the back of my notebook. Finally, I gave in to this weakness and submitted cartoons for publication. Now, my cartoons and illustrations have appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, Time Magazine, Mpls St Paul, Cabin Life and National Newspaper Syndication, as well as in scores of children’s books and used by hundreds of companies including Disney and Warner Brothers. After over thirty years of cartooning I think I now know most of the "tricks of the trade."

I still draw and sell cartoons, but my career has shifted to include teaching.  In 1997, I wrote and illustrated the award-winning book Cartooning Basics. I have taught cartooning workshops at National Art Educators (NAEA), MENSA conventions, and many young Author/Artist conferences.  I am proud of these accomplishments, but I still get the most satisfaction from a student who beams with pride and confidence because she or he knows how to draw like a REAL cartoonist!