Artist research - Michael Martchenko - Canadian illustrator

Michael Martchenko was born in 1942 in Carcassone, France and, as a boy, became interested in comic books and cartoons. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Canada where he attended Ontario College of Arts in 1966. While working as a creative director at an advertising company, he was noticed and approached by an author of children's books, Robert Munsch and his publishing house. The two artists quickly found out that they have a lot in common and their fruitfull partnership was born. It can first be appreciated in The Paper Bag published in 1980. Ten years later, Martchenko published his own children's book, Birdfeeder Banquet, wich was well accepted by the critics and often compared to his earlier works with Munsch. His work was described as full of humour and panache. Within the same decade, he began working with Allen Morgan on his series about nighttime escapades of a young boy, again gaining the approval of the critics who said his illustrations were energetic, lively, busy and colourful. (Biography,2021)

However, Marchenkos greates acclaim came from his cooperation with Munsch, especially on Alligator Baby, Mmm, Cookies! Andrew's Loose Tooth, and Zoom! His bright watercolour illustrations have been described as marrily embellishing the text and entertaining the reader. The two artists have cooperated on over twenty children’s books and have won awards for co-ventures and their work  was exhibited at book fairs. In 2003, Martchenko published his second book I'm a Farmer which was also well received by the critics. By April 7, 2021 he had illustrated more than 100 books. In Martchenko’s  own words, his illustrations are funny, zany and a little crazy which made the cooperation with likeminded Munch work so well. As for his creative process while illustrating a book, he start with a storyboard, then pencil sketches and, once approved, a final copy with watercolours. Interestingly, Martchenko always tries to add a hidden treasure in his illustrations, sometimes in the form of an unexpected object or funny animal. (Fertuck,2017)

 

 

his work

I like his work because his characters are full of life. His illustrations are colourful, fun and simple. Martchenko`s characters show me that Illustrated personas can be full of energy and motion while mine are static. 

 

https://biography.jrank.org/pages/947/Martchenko-Michael-1942.html accessed 03.12.21

https://leasidelife.com/illustrator-michael-martchenko-finds-his-muse-in-leaside/ accessed 03.12.21

https://ago.ca/agoinsider/between-lines accessed 03.12.21