Letters from Mark's Alumni!

Here are a few of the letters and emails I've received from teenagers and adults who learned to Draw in 3-D with my books, videos and TV shows. I'd love to hear from you too!

You can send me e-mail. Let me know where you first learned to draw with me. Send along a scanned picture or a link to your own web site! I get a lot of e-mail every day (so I can't promise a personal reply), but I love to read your messages and see your artwork (you just might see your letter in Mark's Alumni the next time you visit).

You can also send me your letters and artwork by mail:
Mark Kistler's Imagination Station
P.O. Box 19336
Kalamazoo, MI 49019
Remember to always include a legal-sized #10 self-addressed stamped envelope so that I can send you a reply!

Mark, When I was in elementary school I would race home from the bus stop every afternoon, fling my backpack into the corner, grab the TV remote, and switch as fast as I could to PBS to watch your drawing show. I didn't want to miss it for anything! I've always loved art, especially drawing, and though I've begun to enjoy several other art forms now too, drawing will always hold a special place in my heart, and it has so much to do with you. Thank you for all you do to teach kids, and even adults, to use creativity and to be people and artists of good character and integrity. You have been a huge blessing to many!!

Thank you,
Amy

Thanks for all the inspiration your show has given me.

Dear Mark, I ran across a clip of Secret City on YouTube today and it brought back so many memories! I still use a lot of the techniques I learned from your show. My name is Dave Ortega and I'm an Art Director for an ad agency in New York. I started a program called Skribblers where I teach kids in public schools how to draw using sketchbooks made from the school's recycled paper. As I was watching your show on YouTube, I realized that my teaching style reflects yours. Thanks for all the inspiration your show has given me. It has played a big role in who I am today.
Thanks!
Dave Ortega

Such a positive influence on my artistic life!

Mark, I'm sure you get this everyday, but I really just had to say thank you. I grew up watching your shows, and they've had such a positive influence on my artistic life! For some reason, while I was driving into work today, my mind wondered back to the old days when I used to watch Commander Mark and The Secret City. I was so excited to see what you were going to create every episode. To see you pull those magical worlds from your imagination was so inspiring. I try and do the same today with my own work. Anyway, I just thought you should know that.
Thanks again.
David Cooper

I am a HUGE FAN!

I watched your TV show when I was a kid over 25 years ago. I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT!! I still have the drawings that I did mimicking you as you drew, and I have always wanted a Secret City of my own. Thank you for teaching me so much about drawing.

I was hoping that I could get your Secret City show on DVD. Is that out anywhere? I would just die to have that collection. I wish I could remember more about the show and relive those memories again. If there is a way to purchase or find a DVD set of your show, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Again, thanks a million. You meant the world to me as a kid and you created an awesome new world for me to find a part of. Thank you thank you thank you!

Ryan Dutson

Hi Mark,

My name is Kyle Anderson and I am a third year student at UW Milwaukee. I was in Professor Tim Decker's animation class where you appeared as a guest lecturer for one day. After doing the drawing exercies from his program, you liked my work and asked me to send it to you to use on one of your web sites. Well, finally here it is!

Thanks for all that you do.

Kyle

Good Morning Commander Mark!

I'm writing for a number of reasons, but mostly to say thank you. I grew up watching your shows, Imagination Station/The Draw Squad, and your obvious love of drawing instilled my distinct fervor for anything creative. I used to rush home everyday after school in elementary school to watch your shows, and the Secret City Mural was ALWAYS the highlight of my afternoon.

In 1996, I attended F.A.M.E. camp in South Milford, Indiana, where you taught one of my drawing classes. I was 12 years old at the time, and I felt especially lucky to learn from a pro in real life! Not only that, but I remember showing you a picture I had drawn during your class and you gave me nothing but compliments! It was such an honor at that age, and I know that attending that class and that camp were two of the several pivotal moments in my life where I realized that art was my true calling. So, for that, I thank you dearly.

10 years after I attended F.A.M.E. camp, I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Graphic Design. I slaved for two years at a marketing firm in Indianapolis and finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming a freelance artist and designer. I recently moved to Washington, DC to do just that. While I believe it was a smart move on my part, and I have successfully acquired several promising clients thus far, I haven't had an opportunity to create any artwork for myself. Caught up in the world's issues and pummeled by a suffocating economy, I've lately had too many moments of creative blocks. I've been overcome by frustration from these creative blocks which, in turn, have completely stunted my artistic growth...a definite catch 22.

During the past week or so, I've taken some time to really reflect and figure out how to relieve myself of this artistic funk. That's when I spoke to my older brother and we got to talking about childhood memories and old TV shows, and your show came up. My brother was also a huge fan. He had your Draw Squad drawing lesson book during the peak of our Imagination Station craze and it was the best artistic investment for us. He's now an architect in Manhattan. Anyway, so we're both talking about your show, when I had my "Aha!" moment. I believe that I can attribute my artist's block to the fact that I had lost my childhood enthusiasm that contributed to some of my best artwork. I think I lost it somewhere between trying to figure out my career goals and pumping out the same commercial art over and over, ad nauseum. I guess I'm just lucky I figured it out now, and not 25 years from now.

So, with that said, I feel like I am back on the right path to create some really inspiring work. I'm planning on creating a mural of my own to pay homage to your secret city mural. The walls in my apartment are looking a LITTLE too bare these days, so I think this will be the perfect opportunity to fix that. Again, a million thank yous for your artistic enthusiasm. I can't imagine what I would be doing these days if art hadn't played such a significant role in my childhood. :)

Take care!
Emily

Mark,

I'm writing a feel good letter to further make you aware of the positive changes you have made in some people's lives; namely mine. I grew up watching public television and viewed "The Secret City" with religious fanatacism. I bought your books and even did all my drawings with my own Commander Mark pencil. Much to my parents chagrin I started my own 'secret city' on the walls with crayons many a time.

I am now older, slightly more burdened by the trappings of daily life, but no less hopefull for my future as an artist and a teacher. I am trying to open up a children's art school. I live in Elk Grove, California, and many of the schools out here have very little if any art program. I have just leased a small space downtown and am offering drawing and painting classes for kids ages 4-12. I was actually looking up examples of foreshortening when I came across some images that lead me to your site.

I want to formally thank you. Your enthusiasm ability to connect and excite a child is a huge part of where my life has ended up. I only hope that I can provide the quality of education and enjoyment to my students that you provided so many for so long.

Best wishes to you and your family, Cody Norris

From email
hey commander mark.

a little weird for me to tell you the truth but a couple of co-workers and I were talking about our favorite shows of our youth today and as I was reliving some of my childhood memories, your show "The Secret City" popped into my mind. It sounds ignorant and believe me I do not mean it to, but I have not thought about your program for close to 20 years and a flood of memories came back to me today and pretty much overwhelmed me. A good friend of mine Graeme and I were both the best artists in our grade school (1986) and he and I were both the BIGGEST fans of your show. I remember racing home from school to see the show and never missing an episode. Your mural was the greatest thing I had ever seen. I used to draw along with you as best I could but never could get it as good as you. I am 31 years old now and know that it sounds a little weird me writing you, but I am so excited that I found your email on the web and have the ability to just thank you for giving me such a positive outlet for expressing my creativity when I was young. I will always appreciate the excitement you gave me in getting a chance to draw with you and seeing how the secret city progressed. The characters on your show were great too. I remember "Metaman" and I know that the same actor portrayed some kind of robot but I cannot remember his name. I believe it started with a Z. Like I said, it's been 20 years. I feel the show would be a great lesson for my future children as it had such a great affect on me. I look back upon it with such fond memories.

I wish you and your family the best and hope to hear from you soon.
A rekindled fan - Duncan Merritt

Mr. Kistler,

I began watching "Secret City" when I was about ten or so. The lessons you taught me stay with me to this day. I was the cartoonist for my high school newspaper and even for a local alternative paper when I was a senior in high school. I have never been anything but an artist at heart. When I left the US Army, I began work as a medical equipment technician. Even though I understood the good I was doing, I never felt fully fulfilled. After spending ten years repairing and maintaining dialysis machines, I returned to the arts as a career when I began tattooing professionally.

My wife is an art teacher at a local high school now and is working on her Masters in Art History at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She hopes to become a college professor. We have two children ourselves (3 and 5 years old) who are budding artists themselves.

I owe a lot of it to you.

Your lessons taught me so many of the basics at a time when I thought I knew it all. You have a brilliant way of capturing the attention of your audience/students as well as breaking down the nuts and bolts of design, composition, and technique. I have found so much personal fulfillment in the art field and in seeing my children pick up the dream as well. I often find myself regurgitating the same lessons you taught me on your program.

I just wanted to say thank you for all you have done for me and for hundreds, if not thousands, of other artists who once watched your show religiously as I did. In fact, I intend to purchase as many of your videos as I can as I believe my children will benefit greatly from the knowledge you can impart to them. I really feel like I am living up to my truest purpose in this life, bringing joy to people on whom I permanently place the artwork of their choice. I draw, draw, draw and practice my drawing for HOURS evry day and I owe so much of it to you.

Thank you, Commander Mark.

I'm sure you get many e-mails and/or letters like this every day, but I hope you read this and understand how much we former students of yours (via the television airwaves) love what you have done for us. Please keep up the great work you do and bring the lessons that art can teach our children to as many of the world's young ones as you can.

Good luck and God bless, sir. You are now and have always been a prominent mentor in my heart.

Take care,
Jason Morris

From email
Hi there

I just wanted to say that I have fond memories of watching "The Secret City" on PBS when I was a kid. Every once in a while, the show will come up in conversation, and those who remember it invariably say "Oh, yeah! That show was *awesome*!"

I'm no artist, but I do a little graphic design when it needs to be done, and "The Secret City" probably helped develop my visual sense. At the least, it helped nurture an appreciation of art, and let me have some fun in the process.

So, thanks. I spent hours of my childhood watching lame cartoons that were little more than half-hour commercials for action figures, and I don't remember a single thing that happened in any of them. But your show actually left an impression on me. Whatever artistic ability I have is due as much to "The Secret City" as to any of my art teachers in school.

greenie at oddpost dot com

From email
Hi Mark,

My name is Nicole Packard. I first started watching you when I was 8 years old. That was 14 years ago. I loved your show. It is what inspired me to begin drawing. Thanks to you I was always at the top of my art class and my drawings were always entered into the art shows. I carry your 3-d drawing style with me even now. I want to thank you for everything you have done for me.
Your Fan,
Nicole

P.S. What were the names of the pink bears with the green horns?

Hi Nicole.... The answer to your P.S. is "The Uni-bears".

From email
Howdy hi, Commander Mark!
I'm sort of new at this fan mail thing. I used to be a fairly prolific letter writer before email came along...

I just thought I'd drop a line, say hi, and I greatly appreciate your work.

I'm Duncan, I'm 32, and I live in Virginia. I've been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. I was never an official Draw Squader, but I did like your show. I was the cartoonist for my school newspaper when I was in grade school, and graphics editor of the school paper when I was in high school. When I was in the seventh grade I caught your show "The Secret City" and I liked it a lot. A few years later, when I was 17, I was lucky enough to catch "The Secret City" again and I was pleasantly surprised to learn even more about drawing in three dimensions. Even now I'm trying to remember the Seven Magic Words of Drawing... I think I've got maybe four or five down pat. I caught one episode of one of your more recent shows... Imagination Station.

All the best,
Duncan Shea

From email
Hi Mr. Kistler ,
My name is Cory Gerard, I am a 22 year old college graduate, I majored in computer graphics and when I went into the corporate world I just didnt enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I have decided to go back to school to get my masters degree in Art education and I just wanted to let you know that part of the reason I decided to go back for my art ed degree was from the enjoyment I had when I was watching your show, and how I ( my uncle had gotten me one of your books years ago) picked up one of your old books of recent and thought how much I would enjoy teaching kids art.

Cory

Dear Mark Kistler,

It's been nearly two decades since I had sat captivated in front of my parents television. The illustrations you created were beyond the scope of my nine year old skills. I desperately wanted to master foreshortening!

Fast forward through high school advanced placement in art, college scholarships for art and design, some shows, and graduate school and a teaching gig at Parson, I now head the creative department for a non-profit in NYC. The hours often extend far beyond the normal 9-5. Seldom does the chance for drawing enter daily routine. Randomly, I remembered your show, "The Secret City," and how you would add on to the huge mural at the end of each episode. I found my drawing fix.

It would be easy for me to list Paul Rand, Edward Tufte, Corbusier, Earnst, or Redon as my adult influences, but you brought me wonder and wide-eyed inspiration. For that I thank you.

Warmest Regards, Bao-Khang Luu

From email
Mr. "Commander Mark" Kistler - I am a 28 year-old artist who grew up watching (and was probably first inspired by) your show. Of particular fascination to me was the giant world you were always working on for the last few minutes of the show.

I have searched high and low online and no one seems to have an image of any of these world you drew. Was there more than one? I would have to assume so, given how long you were at it.

In any case, I'm wondering if you have a photo or digital image of any kind of any of those giant worlds you drew. I'm about to embark on a project of similar nature that will take me a good year to finish. Mine will be at much smaller scale and cover a 6'x6' (at least) surface, done completely in ink. I thought it would be fun to touch base with my "roots" beforehand.

Glad to see you're still at it, teaching the young ones the basics. I hope to hear from you one way or the other!

Sincerely, Shawn Cheris

Hi Shawn! Thanks for your wonderful note! I'm happy to announce that I will be posting digital photo's of the actual "Secret City Mural" on my web site during Fall of 2005! Good luck in your cool creative COLOSSAL mural project, I'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come!

From Morehead, KY
Commander Mark! (If I may call you that) Hello, my name is Butch, I am 29 years old, which is probably a little older than the average visitor of this website, but I had to write; you see, I learned to draw from you some 20 years ago while you where doing "The Secret City". I just wanted to say that your show was a wonderful help to me in developing my skills. I am now a quasi-professional cartoonist and am about to publish my first graphic novel. I owe it all to you (sounds cheesy, I know but it's the truth). I never would have learned how to draw in 3-D without your show and I'm pleased to know that you are still teaching children how to draw. Keep up the good work and thank you. Butch Baker from Morehead, KY

(sent from the Internet)
I grew up watching Secret City and it inspired me just Draw, Draw, Draw. I got better and better as I got older and decided in high school to go into drafting and use my artistic skills for a career, I have been a drafter/designer for the last 12 years and every day I say to myself Draw, Draw, Draw! I would really like to know if it is possible to obtain original's, prints or copy's of the large murals created on the television shows I would really like to have some framed and hang them in my house for display. I always enjoyed Mark's art styling and it would be great to have some nice examples! Any information you can give me about this would be greatly appreciated!
Steven Heinemann
Alliance Engineering

(sent from the Internet)
Dear Mark, This is so exciting! In all the years I've been watching your show on MPTV, I've never actually sent you anything, but now I am :) Thank goodness for the Internet, eh?

I'm currently 18 years old, and will be going to college in Appleton, WI next year. I've been watching Imagination Station since I first realized it was on the air in Elementary School, and you've taught me a lot of the things I know about drawing, particularly shading (one of my favorites!). Though I've branched out into computer coloring in High School, the same principles apply, and I still love using paper stumps and pencil in my graph paper sketchbook (which is a long story involving calculus and boredom).

I won't go on too long, since I'm sure you get lots of fan mail. But I also took one of your classes at Artist and Display in Wauwatosa (about four years ago), and I really loved that. It's what made me decide I really liked paper stumps, especially because then your fingers don't get smudges all over your paper. (It's actually gotten to the point where my brothers run screaming when I break out the shading song).

Thanks so much for many years of great 3-D drawing on PBS! I hope Appleton TV gets Imagination Station so I can take a break from my Principles of Classical Physics and Advanced German Composition and Conversation homework and draw some drooling dinosaurs! Yours truly, Sarah in Wauwatosa (soon Appleton), WI

(from email....subject: Long time fan of Imagination Station)
Dear Mr. Kistler, I've watched your show since I was very young. I'm 25 years old now, and happen to catch Imagination Station on PBS this weekend. I wanted to tell you that growing up your show inspired me to draw constantly. I would sit in front of my television at home with my drawing pad and pencils and try to draw everything that you did. Now I draw charcoal portraits and work with pastels in my free time, and I have been commissioned to do murals. I just wanted to say thank you for what you do and giving me the inspiration to continue my craft all these years. I think your program is wonderful. Sincerely, Sarabeth Wilson, West Virginia

(from email....subject: Wow)
Well Hello Mark. I don't think that this is actually your personal e-mail address, but whoever does read this please make sure Mark gets to read it because it would mean a lot. I just wanted to thank you Mark for all of your help in art. Your tv show is what really got me into art and really taught me the fundamentals and what you do for kids is amazing. I am 19 now and I am actually headed off to art school to pursue a career in art and I just wanted to thank you for all of your efforts in teaching. You truly are a master at what you do. You're the Bob Ross of today just not with all the earie happiness...ha ha. But once again thank you and I wish you luck.

Michael Gates

Thanks for the nice note Michael, I did read it, you made my day!
Mark Kistler

Hey Mark,
I wanted to send an email to let you know that I think you have a great website. I remember watching you as a kid, Commander Mark, and watched as you would draw that mural. Though, as a computer guy now, I always try to tap my creative/artistic side.

I have a quick question and want to see if you can help. My girlfriend of over 6 months is an elementary art teacher, first through fifth grades. Her school district is finding ways to scale back on art to focus on more math and reading. Ironically, one of the best classes I took in the MBA program at the University of Pittsburgh was a class on Creativity and Problem Solving. One of the things that art does is that it stimulates the brain in many ways that reading and math don't. I'm sure this is a problem you see all too often. Keep up the great work and I'm glad to see that you're still inspiring kids like you inspired me long ago.

Sean McGrath
Information Security Analyst
City of Pittsburgh

Mr. Kistler,
I am guessing you don't remember me; you have met so many children. I am now a college sophomore and art major, with a concentration in drawing. I am also a pre-medical student and just co-authored my first medical paper (on myself!). One of my friends is a surgeon who got into medicine through art, portraits and sculpture. He pressed hard to get me to continue my art education that you did so much to develop and enhance. I always am having people come up to me and ask how I get my stuff to look so 3-D; I just give them your name. I am into hyper-realism (medical drawings and portraiture), now, and not cartooning, but the principles you instilled in me are equally applicable. Thank you for that.

Here is a recent picture of me with one of my friends, Victor McKusick, from Johns Hopkins. He is acting as one of my professors, now, though I first knew him when I was six months old. It is really COOL having my doctor as my teacher. You might look him up on Google; he is THE GUY who started the medical genetics discipline.

Thank you so much for everything!

Mikaela

Mark,
I am writing you to thank you. You are one of the many sources that improved my sense of perception for three-dimensional drawings on a two-dimensional paper. When I was a kid, I watched your show all the time. I made my mother buy my all the highlighters and Sharpies and paper. After constant practicing and drawing of 3D pictures and shapes, I eventually mastered the skill of 3D art. I am now a sophomore in college and aspiring to be a dentist. A major part of dentistry is perception. A large portion of the Dental Admissions Test is a perceptual aptitude exam, where 3D drawings are given with different problems. It takes an impeccable amount of practice to understand using your imagination to see in 3D on paper. I am having no troubles. I just wanted to thank you for being a large contribution to my 3D perception. I will continue to do my "pinkie pushups" every day!

Frank Caputo

Dear Mr. Kistler,
WOW a blast from the past! I came across your site today searching for something else over the Internet and I instantly recognized your face! I used to sit mesmerized in front of the TV during the magical time of 'The Secret City' oh so very long ago.

I moved to Denmark in 1990 when I was 19. I LOVE to draw and thought The Secret City was a very imaginative way to teach, especially the glass windows and the city you added to each time. I always save my stuff and somewhere I have examples drawn from your program.

Keep up the good work. If you ever come Denmark I'd like the chance to meet you in person.

Amber M....age: 33
Hellerup, Denmark

Dear Commander Mark,
I would like to give you the BIGGEST thank you!! I watched you on PBS when I was a little girl and drew along with you and had the best time doing it! Now I am going to college and taking basic art drawing classes (required for my degree). And guess what they're teaching us: perspective! A couple of the other students were having a hard time with it, and I remembered your show but couldn't remember anything but Commander Mark and the space cities you always drew.

So there I was telling everyone about the guy in on PBS who drew space scenes and he was just really cool, and taught me everything I know about perspective. They all looked at me funny, so I got online and searched you out! I think it's awesome that you're still doing what you do. And I wanted to let you know that you made learning enjoyable to the point that I didn't even realize I was learning. So, Thank You Mark, for your charisma with your art and your passion for teaching kids.

Katie Kopp
Nevada City, California

Mark,
I am a close to thirty year old attorney in upstate NY. I was flipping through the channels yesterday when I came across your show on PBS. I used to watch your show religiously as a child and am thrilled that it is still on the air. I would have to say that it was over 20 years ago that I began watching your show and I was just as interested yesterday as I was when I was a child. My favorite was the huge drawing on Secret City. Just wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for all of the drawing lessons and bringing back some of the fun memories from my childhood.

Mark O. Chieco, Esq.

Dear Mark,
You probably get a lot of letters like this one but I have to express my thanks to you and your show over the years. I can honestly say you are the reason that I finally decided to go to art school. I graduated with my second degree from the Ringling school of art and design in 1999. I am a teacher of story boarding and motion studies for animation. Thanks you so much for your show. It inspired my as a child and only hope to be able to show my children some day the school of imagination.

Thank you so much!

Sincerley,
Stanley Craig Bowman
Course Director for Motion Studies and Storyboarding

Hi Mark,
Obviously I don't expect you to remember me. But you once came to my school when I was in 1st grade. It was Junction Middle School in Redding, CA. That was the funniest assembly we had ever had at that school. I remember it like it was yesterday and I'm nearly 22 years old. I was emailing you too see if you could possibly take time out of you busy schedule and take another tour of our Redding schools. I know and I know the children would absolutely love it. Thank you very much for showing kids their artistic abilities. It opens a new brighter aspect on life.

Philip K. Martinson

Hi Mark,
My name is Nick Nicholls. The reason I'm writing you is to thank you for all the fun times that I use to have when I was in elementary. You came to my school in Moreno Valley, CA many years ago for an assembly. I have always loved the creative ideas and drawings that you would teach me in your half hour episodes. I am now out of school and am going to college for a multimedia degree. I have started my own web design company and I feel I owe you a thank you, because if it wasn't for you keeping me into the creative field of arts I might not be in the position that I am. I love the job that I have and hope to become a full fledge media design firm one day. I hope everything is going good for you!

Thanks a lot,
Nick

Hi Mark,
My name is Dayron and I'm 29. I recall coming home from elementary school back in the 80's and watching your show and drawing along. I'm an IT professional now and I can't recall what exactly sparked the memory of your show, but I did a search on Google for 'commander mark' and there I was at your site. Brings back many good memories. I'm not quite the artist I wanted to be as a kid, but the things I do draw I can see your influence even today. I have to say I think you and Dr. Seuss are my fave's even as a 29 year old man. Good to see ya on the web!

Dayron Daugherty
Information Technology Manager

Dear Mr. Kistler,
I ran across your website today, purely by accident, and my childhood just came flooding through my mind. I used to watch your show on PBS every day after school. You see, I had a single mother, and she worked very hard to make a life for us. As a result of this, I was a lonely little kid. And there you were. Bigger than life, and so excited about art. I drew along with you, learning techniques and concepts completely foreign to all my friends.

You taught me so much..not just foreshortening, and perspective..but enthusiasm and belief in myself. See, it never occurred to me that you were making a TV show..that you were speaking to thousands of children each afternoon. As far as I was concerned, you were speaking directly to me. You were one of my biggest fans! *grin* You planted a seed, and I'm happy to say it has grown.

I continued studying art...never met a medium I didn't like! And now, I am here...27 years old..a wife, and a mother of my own two little geniuses. I am now pursuing a career as an artist, but my favorite time...is the time I spend sprawled out on the floor, coloring with my four year old son. And I find myself teaching him..the same way you first taught me. I am so grateful for what you do. You just have no idea the impact you had on my life (and countless others to be sure). Thank you so much for this gift you gave me. God bless you.

Sincerely,
Heather Hinrichsen

Dear Mark,
My name is Steven A. Bollar. I am currently an assistant principal at C.W. Lewis Middle School in Camden county, NJ. Before I was an assistant principal I was an art teacher in Lawrenceville, NJ. About 4 years ago you came to Lawrenceville for a school wide assembly. I was fortunate to meet you, get a picture with you and you signed a book for me (In case you forgot, I am a 6'7" African-American Male).

Anyway, I would just like to thank you for what you do. As a child I would run home from school to watch your show. I would steal the "good" white paper from school so I would have some paper to use to draw all the things the came from our "imagination". I was always interested in art but my current school did not have a quality art program. You taught me the basics of drawing and how illustration and cartooning is a connection of lines to create the illusion of a familiar image. Through your teachings I understood shadowing and where the light source is, even if it is not in the frame of the drawing. The walls of my room were covered with drawing that we created together during our half hour of creativity.

Once I graduated high school I attended Kutztown University with major of art education. I wanted to teach children the same things that you taught me. I taught in Lawrenceville, NJ for 7 years. Now I am an assistant principal. I am currently interviewing for a principal's position of a middle school that will focus on the visual and performing arts. I would not have been qualified for a position like this if it weren't for Mark Kistler and Imagination Station. I am currently the owner of Heart 4 Art Productions. Heart 4 Art is a mural company that focuses on painting murals in the home. I have had this company for the past 7 years. It is doing very well. I will send you some photos in a later e-mail.

Again, thank you for the work you do. I am impressed with you and a direct result of your efforts. I will let you know if I get the principalship of the arts school. Also, if I do get the principalship, I will ask you to come and do an assembly.

Thank you,
Steven A. Bollar

Hi Mark Kistler!
You are great!

Let me first say that you must inspired me to improve my drawings even when I was 17, when I discovered your TV show. Bravo to commander Mark!

I am an old man of 33 now, a published and award-nominated (but I haven't won any yet- boo-hoo!) cartoonist (www.newhatstories.com) and an adjunct storytelling/cartooning teacher on the college level in New York City.

I am trying to start my own venture for kids all about STORYTELLING with PICTURES because that is what I love to do! It's called STORYARK and it's here on the web: www.storyark.com.

I really am a fan of your technique, your complete generosity and your unguarded belief in the genius in every human being. It's truly inspiring. It's my hope to spread some of that in my corner of the arts world, too, and while I know you are super busy, and response or advice you might have would be mighty appreciated.

Your fan,
Tom Hart

hi,
when i was in fourth grade, my grandmother was diagnosed with uterine cancer. my mom took my little sister and me to stay at grandma's house in houston, and there wasn't anything for me to do all day. i watched a lot of tv, and one day i stumbled across your show. i always liked to draw, but after watching just one of your shows, my mind was blown. everything you said about drawing in 3D made so much sense to me that i couldn't believe i hadn't thought of it before. i spent the rest of the summer drawing. it was a good way for me to escape all the terrible things happening around me.

now i'm about to turn 26, and i was trying to think of all the experiences and decisions that led me to where i am today. my grandmother's death was definitely a pivotal point in my life, but i hardly ever think about my first 3D drawing experience. that was the first big artistic change in my life, and set me on the path that ultimately led me to interior architecture school, where i'm in my second year.

so thanks, Mark!

yours,
andy thomas

Hi Mark,
Just a note to tell you that you have inspired me to get back into cartooning....

I was talking with some fellow cartoonists and they also said that you were a big influence on them also.

So I looked back at some of your books ( I put drawing on a shelf for awhile as I was working quite a bit) and motivated myself to do some cartoons and comic strips....next thing that you know I'm drawing again and I'm really into it again! Cool!!

So keep up the good work....my cartooning friends agree with me that not only do you teach children to draw, but teens and adults as well can learn from your unique style and the way you teach and motivate!

Thankyou.
Brian Leonard

Mark,
Hi, my name is Aaron Riddle. I was just surfing the web when I happen to come upon your site. I immediatley remembered who you were, and my mind was filled with pictures of what I used to draw when watching your television show "Imagination Station". That was over 10 years ago. Now, after many years of practicing, I too am a 21 year old professional cartoonist on the verge of making it big. I illustrate a daily comic strip appearing in several papers, and have even started up my own column/website where I teach children to draw all sorts of creatures in five simple steps. It's called Create-A-Creature and can be found at our web site.

I would just like to thank you for the inspiration you gave me when I was younger. Maybe sometime in the future we could collaborate on a project or something...that would be a dream come true.

Anyway, take a look at my websites if you have time...I know you are a busy man. But keep up the good work, and know that you have made a difference in one cartoonists life.

Anyways, thanks again!
Aaron Riddle

Aford - The Best Turtle Comic Strip...Ever! www.afordturtle.com

Hi Mark and Co.,
I'll keep it short since I know you're probably out on the road, "fighting the good fight," teaching new generations of youngsters the life-long values of drawing and creativity. I stumbled across your website and it all come flooding back to me: the time spent watching Louisville Kentucky's public educational TV station, devouring every minute of "Commander Mark's" teachings (if my family had had a VCR back then, I would've been rewinding and rewatching it all, perfecting my foreshortening), and the subsequent hours spend in front of my own secret city that was taking over the wall behind the ping pong table in our basement. I still have that secret city - the paper is yellow and brittle and rocketships' jet contrails are faded gray - but it still brings back fond memories, and makes me realize how wonderful and important you were to my development as a young artist. More so than most of my school teachers, in fact! (I did have a couple of great professors in college, but they were usually more interested in asking me what my marks "meant" than really teaching me how to draw). Anyways, I don't mean to ramble, but I figured I'd write just to tell you thanks, and to keep doing what you're doing. Your enthusiasm and positivity lets everyone know that you believe in the power of art and self-expression, but if you ever need any reinforcement, I'm here to give it.

Anyways, thanks again!
sincerely,

Dan Zettwoch
A Long Time Fan

Hey Mark!,
Just wanted to drop you a line saying "Keep up the good work!"

I am a 25 year old Bio-Chemistry student in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I was doing some reasearch on 3-D computer imaging for a project I have to do for school when I accidentaly stumbled across your web-site. It must have been the keyword "3-D". Anyway, I used to watch Secret City every single Saturday afternoon on PBS when I was a kid. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw your face pop up on my screen -- so many great memories! Did you ever finish that mural? I still have a big mural that I added to every week along with the show. The station I used to watch you on cancelled the program before I ever saw the end result. It was utter disappointment when I turned the TV on one Saturday and you were gone. Do you have any old "Secret City" books for sale? I would gladly purchase one.

Anyway, I guess I'm just glad to see that you're still at it. The techniques you taught me when I was 10 have stuck with me until 25!

I look forward to seeing your show again some day,

Jay Macquarrie
Bio-Chemistry Maj.
Ottawa, Ontario.
Canada.

Dearest Commander Mark,
I used to watch your show everyday during the summer. It was my favorite part of the whole day. I especially liked watching as you would add to The Secret City everyday. I'm not sure why I quit watching, but I think it was because our cable company no longer aired your show. I had almost forgotten about my childhood idol, until just the other day.

One night after going out to a party, while flipping through the channels I caught your show. It was being aired at 2:00 a.m. by our school television station. I was so excited I called all of my friends. The show was only on for a week, but every morning at 2:00 a.m., 10-15 loyal followers reminisced about their leader Commander Mark. We would all join in when you would say, "Pencils to your heads. Aiieeeeeeeee. Yeaaahh." The last night when your show didn't air, 12 sad college students returned to their beds with memories of dragons and macaroni cranes.

Sincerely, BaylorWes

HI MR MARK KISTLER~!! This is Angie~ a 15 year-old female Artist from New Jersey.. I used to watch your show every day over the summer when I was in 4th grade, but once they changed the time, I forgot about it.. :( I really really wish I could find my old sketchbook-- I know I have it lying around somewhere and I bet it's got so many nifty old drawings in there.. and I used to have a big bright pink plastic case with my Art Attack supplies.

Anyways ~ today while I was watching Oprah (hehe) some special report thingie came on so I went channel surfing and on one of the PBS stations I saw YOU! hahaha

So I sat there for a half hour with my sketch pad watching the Noisy Nest episode and I can't wait until Monday to show my 6-year old brother~ Imagination Station seems to have gotten so much bigger! You wouldn't by any chance be in the Northern New Jersey area to visit any schools, would you? I can't believe how much stuff I've been digging up lately-- like videos and shows I used to watch when I was younger.. (like the movies.. the Labyrinth or the Last Unicorn..... or Imagination Station!) Your show really influenced me in 4th grade and one dream that's always been in the back of my mind is to be a cartoonist. Thanks for taking the time to read my mail.. please write if you've got time~ Bye!

Angie
New Jersey

"Several years ago I began watching Imagination Station. On the very first day, you sparked something in me that never died. You turned on my creativity and imagination and I will forever be grateful to you for that. I've just graduated from college with a degree in in Commercial Art and Graphic Design. And just think - you started it all!"

Melanie Mc Kinney
Birmingham, Alabama

"I just wanted to write to you to say thank you. I always loved art, but when i was in 5th grade, i found your Draw Squad book at my local bookstore (where i actually spent a lot of time anyway..). I had seen your show on PBS, and loved it, and so i was ecstatic to find Draw Squad. I cannot even tell you how much i adored that book. I became a "Draw Squad" member (that card was cool!) I even sent you a Christmas card! (I guess that would have been perhaps 1990 or '91) I learned so much from that book, especially about the importance of imagination. I continued drawing through the torturous years of junior high. In 10th grade, I applied to Minnesota's Golden Valley Arts High school, and was accepted. Now, I'm 19 years old and attending the San Francisco Art Institute, a 4 year school in (of course) San Francisco.

I'm not saying i wouldn't have continued with art without your help...but i bet my art would be much less interesting! So, thanks! You really made a difference.

Love,
Alice

"Thank you for the inspiration you have given all of us. You were one of the few people who gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue a career in art. I am now a cartoonist and have done work for Marvel, Image Comics and Fox animation studios."

Dan Frago
Grand Rapids, Michigan

" I am 20 years old, but a physical disability has kept me homebound since the age of nine. I love to draw and your show gives me the just inspiration I need to keep going. Thank you for all you do!"

Wendy
Laredo, West Virginia

"Mark, I hope you know how much you mean to me. You taught me how to draw and be confident with my artwork. I began watching your show when I was 10 and now I'm 14. I was the first in line for your newest book. You have motivated me to work harder, not just in art but in all of my classes."

Brie Simmons
Los Angeles

"I have watched all of your shows through middle school and high school and they have had a huge impact on my life. I am finishing up my senior year at Syracuse University in their Fine Arts department as a graphics major, as well as freelancing as an illustrator in New york City. I just wanted to tell you that your shows are really incredible and that I really appreciate what you're doing for young artists across the country. Your show was one of the biggest influences on my childhood, and had a big hand in getting me where I am today."

David Newton
New York City

Dear Mark:
I know you're busy, so I don't expect a personal reply, but I did want you to know I am out here. So if someone reads your e-mail for you, I implore them to make sure you see this. I accidentally stumbled on your Draw Squad book at my public library in rural South Lyon, Michigan, while trying to teach myself to draw. I am nearly through with the 30 lessons (sometimes I have spent as much as seven hours of drawing time per lesson), and have also messed around with your other two books, drawing elephants, giraffes, and that cool stack of books. Last May, I could only draw stick people. I can't tell you what this means to me.
Let me say that again: I can't tell you what this means to me.
I am 38 years old, and I am a registered music therapist. I have spent the last ten years working with emotionally impaired and behaviorally disordered students, mostly ages 10 to 17, and mostly with boys, although I have spent some time (two years part time) with girls, and the school I work at now has about five girls and 40 boys. These are some of the most difficult to educate children in Michigan. They read and do math at about first or second grade levels, have no friends and awful, chaotic home lives, are dirt poor, and many have police records. I have worked with children who have done all kinds of unspeakable crimes. They can nearly destroy a classroom when they get angry.
I am just completing my master's degree in special education/regular education. By Christmas next year (2000 going into 2001), I should have my student teaching done and will have my own classroom. I am in Detroit Public Schools now, but am not sure where I will be later on. My school currently follows a program called Instrumental Enrichment, put together by an educator from Israel named Reuven Feuerstein. It's not perfect, but the ideas (based on Piaget, mostly) are there. I think a drawing program integrated with puzzles (like pentominoes, blocks, etc) would accomplish the same things and even more.
In a nutshell, I will be in a self-contained classroom, teaching all subjects. I sincerely believe I can teach math and reading and writing and science using music and art. I know it can be done. I am aware of Mona Brookes program, and have read her book Drawing with Children. I am also very enamored of Bruce Blitz and his wonderful program on public TV (they just stopped showing Imagination Station here in Detroit at the end of August). When I get it all worked out, I will have it written down and I would like to send it to you and keep you notified of what I'm doing and how it is progressing. I expect it will be eclectic, drawing on many theorists, but our primary lessons will come from your main three books. My students have seen them and think they're very, very cool.
In the meantime, I will keep drawing and developing my own skills. I have cancelled my cable TV and it's made me a much better husband in the process. Sometime I'll send you some of my drawings. I have friends in Oceanside, CA, whom I visit once a year or so. If you are not too far from there, I'd love to meet you sometime and shake your hand. To a lot of children that I know, the arts (music, drawing, dancing, doing plays) are the only things that make life worth living. God bless you for the sacrifices you've made to bring these things to them.
I'll write again. Yours in everything creative,

Jeff Proulx
(registered music therapist, and almost a teacher)
Jacoby School of Observation, Detroit, Michigan

Hello Mark-- I'm a thirty-one year old artist in Orlando, Florida. I do a lot of production art for Disney, murals, sculpture, etc., and I've been lucky enough, with much hard work, to have made my living in the field right out of high school. Consequently, I've seen so many self-professed "artists" and "designers" with lots of exposure and little in the way of talent, particularly when it comes to television. With the proliferation of cable channels, it seems anyone who says they have talent gets a daytime series with no evidence of creativity or inspiration. It was with this unmistakable bias that I first saw your show. I must tell you Mark, it was a pleasure to spend a half hour watching Imagination Station. You are not only a gifted artist, but truly instructive as well. I've picked up a few tips from you myself. Keep up the good work. You are on a very short list. Proud to be a fan!

Rich