For my maker trading card, I picked Charles M. Schulz, the maker of the famous Peanuts cartoon. I picked Schulz because the Peanuts are very special to my family, especially my grandfather, who is an artist and a maker in his own right (he's built a house and a couple of boats along with some other side projects). Growing up, I always watched the Charlie Brown TV specials and my family has collected various cards, ornaments, etc. that have made the Peanuts significant to me.
I chose to represent Schulz as I believe he would represent himself: as Charlie Brown! Growing up, Schulz, like Charlie, was snubbed by his peers. He was a very private person who had a special relationship with his dog, Spike (who is believed to be the inspiration for Snoopy). I chose to use a cartoon of Charlie Brown looking out over the water because I felt like it represented Schulz and his unique perspective and take on the world. I included Charlie Brown's famous phrase "Good grief" because of its significance throughout the cartoon series.
Answers to Questions:
1. How did the investigation of makers relate to your conceptions of what it means to make?
I think I initially thought that making had to be something 3 dimensional. What I ended up discovering through my research and throughout this class, is that making can result in digital artifacts as well as 3D ones. Schulz made thousands of cartoons in his life that were the result of hard work and significant thought. To me, that constitutes making!
2. Did you have any discoveries/controversies over your maker?
I previously didn't know much about Schulz, but most people do express their lives in some way through their work, so I wasn't surprised to learn that he was a Charlie Brown "outsider" figure. I knew my grandfather really loved Charlie Brown and I was surprised by how much he and Schulz have in common. Both came from working class families and served their countries. Both were quiet makers who loved expressing themselves through their art.
3. What similarities and differences to find with the maker that you focused on both now and into your future?
Not sure if I am interpreting this question correctly, but I think Schulz and I are similar in our dedication to our work. As I mentioned on the back of his card, he only took 5 weeks of vacation in the decades of work he did on Peanuts and I am pretty devoted to my school work and my hobbies. I think we also both have thick skins - Schulz's cartoons were rejected by his high school yearbook and I have had several rejections (and am sure I will have several more!) before I am deemed "successful." One of my takeaways from him is that I think he was always making for himself - not to please others - and that's why his work is so great and relatable. I will try to remember this when making in the future.
4. How can learning about other makers create greater understanding and respect across all forms of making? Is this form of respect important? Why or why not?
I think learning about other makers generates greater understanding and respect because you develop an appreciation for the work other people do. Everyone is good at some things and weaker in others. If we are exposed to people who do something well, we respect them even more knowing it's a personal weakness of ours.
I think this respect is important because we need to respect each other in order to relate and learn from each other. Understanding and respect allow us to learn from others and become better makers ourselves. Understanding and respect also make us decent human beings.
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