Sponge Bob Visits the Generator Coffee Shop
Having done countless interviews, I find they tend into one of three categories; amusing, entertaining and informative. My interview with David DeGrand, the 37 year old artist, author and cartoonist was all three. He spread samples of his work out on the table in the Generator coffee Shop in downtown Garland for Lucas Cervellini and I to peruse. It was an impressive array of published material featuring the artwork of DeGrand and he had also written the text for some of them.
It was all produced for children and created at his home in Weatherford, Texas. David sends all of his work to publishers in Los Angeles and New York electronically, without having to leave home in the town he grew up in. He earned his degree in art from UTA. His first job out of college was as the projectionist in a movie theater. With the downtime that job provided he was able to sharpen his skill as a cartoonist.
As a child David have any particular interest in art and really didn’t draw very well. When his elementary school art teacher instructed her class to create a comic strip, he didn’t think he could do it. With gentle prodding he discovered not only that he could do it, but that it was really fun. David DeGrand had been inspired to become an artist.
Every now and then he’ll branch out from his chosen genre and do a piece in watercolor, his chosen medium in traditional art. He has also designed a number of covers and illustrated children’s books.
Perhaps the most popular of his cartoon characters is Sponge Bob, Square Pants. The talking yellow sponge was created by a marine biologist many years ago and sold to a major publisher. David DeGrand had sent samples of his work to the publisher and was subsequently assigned the task of writing and draw the dialog and drawing he strips that include Sponge Bob and his sidekick, Patrick the starfish, among several other characters, all previously created. That, says DeGrand, is like playing in someone else’s toy box. It’s great, and he’s not complaining, but to make his pleasure even greater, he would like to play in his own toy box. That is to say, he would like to be working with characters of his own creation. In that way he would be able to enjoy playing in his own toy box, metaphorically speaking.
Garlandite Lucas Cervellini, who teaches cartoon art, was able to discern a certain style in DeGrand’s work and enjoyed discussing the ins and outs of the cartoon and comic book publishing world. The two found they had a lot in common, including the fact that they both work from home and care for young sons. David’s wife leaves their 4 year old son in his care while she works in a nearby office. Lucas’s wife teaches elementary school in Garland while he cares for their 13 year old son. .Lucas does, however, get to his tattoo shop several afternoons a week and is able to enjoy the company of his three apprentices.
After finishing our lunch at the Generator, we wrapped up our discussions and strolled around the corner to the Cape Nerd Comics store. The little store opened last April and has since become familiar territory for Lucas and I. David le Grand, however, was absolutely like a kid in a candy store. We went immediately to the kids’ comic book section and found a Sponge Bob comic book with David DeGrand’s name on the cover. The store’s owner commented that that was the most current bestseller for young kids. Behaving like little kids, David and Lucas were all over the store, picking up books and toys and talking a mile a minute.
Among other of David’s cartoon drawing characters are Uncle Grandpa and Garfield. He’s also done some work for Mad magazine. The artist was very impressed with downtown Garland and we discussed a future art show and/or book signing to take place in the coming cooler months.
Nancy Ghirla
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