There is a new documentary about Mark Kistler, a man who has inspired millions of children and adults to draw and be creative. His friend and MATC Animation instructor Tim Decker was interviewed for “The Secret Cities of Mark Kistler” documentary that premiered in New York City in December. You can watch the trailer here.
Kistler became well-known in the 1980s and ‘90s through his PBS shows “The Secret City” and “Imagination Station.” He also has written 3-D drawing books and offers online content, via his YouTube channel.
When Decker first met Kistler, the two immediately bonded over drawing and inspiring young people to draw. Decker says this documentary is important because people need to know how difficult it was for Kisltler to follow his passion to pursue art. He says a lot of kids want to be artists in middle school but as they grow up that dream is discouraged. Decker says, “It’s important to have a voice and your own world. That own world is your drawing and creative place.”
Kistler’s love for art and teaching people to embrace their creativity is highlighted in the documentary. Decker says Kistler inspired him and “made me realize that cartoons are a wonderful medium and a way to inspire people.”
Kistler started drawing when he was 15-years-old. He got inspired by the book, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and Rosa Lee Beeland. When he was 18, Kistler set a goal to teach one million kids to draw; that was a goal he met and surpassed.
In 2010, Kistler was awarded an Emmy for teaching kids to draw in 3-D, while also teaching important messages about self-esteem, science and art. Kistler was known as Commander Mark of “The Secret City,” a children’s 1988 hit series on PBS. It had two seasons and reached at least 11 million people each week. His creativity was also demonstrated in “Mark Kistler’s Imagination Station” PBS series from 1995 to 2012. Kistler’s shows can still be seen on Prime. He also has a YouTube Channel and continues to tell students they can learn how-to-draw in just 15 minutes a day.
There are good reasons for you to use those 15 minutes a day on your creativity. Many studies have shown that drawing and coloring can greatly decrease the effects of anxiety and depression.
