Maybe an Artist

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Single panel cartoons are compressed, bite-sized stories. Have students think about their past, present, and future to create a single panel cartoon that uses the prompt “Maybe a _______.”

Get them started by having them think about the age-old questions of “Who am I?” and “What do I want to be?” that Liz Montague explores in Maybe an Artist. Have them make notes about their backgrounds, interests, and experiences that influence who they are and who they think they want to be, then condense those notes into words and images that fill a single comic panel.

In combining words and pictures to make a cartoon, students may feel pressure to try and be funny. Encourage them to focus their efforts on the juxtaposition of words and images which could result in a panel that’s humorous, surprising, clever, curious, mysterious, or just interesting.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. Which panel in the book most stands out or speaks to you, and why?
2. Liz Montague first thought she wanted to be a journalist. What realizations does she have that move her in other directions? How did her passions and interests shape her path? How do you think your passions and interests will shape your own path? How do you think you would handle any of your plans not going as you expect them to?
3. Growing up Liz has to navigate a variety of issues–from her learning disability to dealing with bullying and racism to the pressures and expectations of her parents and to represent an entire race of people. How well do you think Liz balances listening to herself versus listening to others when it comes to dealing with these and other coming-of-age issues? How much do you rely on others to help you navigate?

Related Resources

Liz Montague’s World Building series Artist Talk, Draw Your Feelings

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest

Make a Comics Journal with Ebony Flowers