Meet ... Kodi
Local artist’s graphic novel is a bear hug for middle schoolers
Popular culture has no shortage of bears: Yogi, Paddington, Pooh, Fozzie. Even Teddy Ruxpin had his day.
Now Ross-based illustrator/author Jared Cullum introduces Kodi, an enormous Kodiak bear, in a graphic novel arriving in bookstores Aug. 25. Top Shelf Productions, the publisher, has released an illustrated book trailer on YouTube.
“Kodi” focuses on Katya, a young girl who befriends the titular bear in Alaska. The odd couple are suddenly separated, and both are forced to brave the dangers of the Pacific Northwest to reunite.
In this tale of unexpected camaraderie aimed at children in middle grades, Mr. Cullum said he tried to show the challenges of finding one’s identity while growing up without sacrificing imagination.
“That age demographic is one where you start to struggle to find a place where you belong or where you’re comfortable, not just with your friends but with yourself, and
figuring out who you are,” he said in a phone interview. “I hope that the story leaves people with a sense of general joy, whimsy and a sense of friendship and belonging.”
One element of “Kodi” that stands out is Mr. Cullum’s use of watercolors in the illustrations. He had never considered using this medium until a chance encounter with the work of French cartoonist Lewis Trondheim.
“I thought if I could get some [watercolors], maybe dip my toe in it a little bit, color one or two of my short stories that I was doing at the time ... but I totally fell in love with it,” Mr. Cullum said.
Many of his sketches and outdoor paintings, including ones done in Western Pennsylvania, were integrated into the lush backgrounds throughout “Kodi.” Mr. Cullum appreciates watercolors’ tactile quality and said he will sometimes deliberately smear the watery paint with his hands.
As is sometimes the case in graphic novels, there are several pages without words or dialogue. Instead, the artist uses techniques with lighting and character design to convey meaning and advance the story.
“How I think of cartooning as a whole is taking the complexity of reality and then simplifying it down as much as possible to concisely communicate with a reader,” Mr. Cullum said.
“I think painting is the same thing. We’re trying to take the complexity of everything we see in front of you and all the science of light and nature and really boil it down to its essence, so you can really communicate an idea or a story to somebody.
“Your story is not a runon sentence. You can have a concise message that really brings someone to a location and expresses a feeling.”
Mr. Cullum, who grew up in Johnson City, Tenn., has illustrated stories and created concept art for Jim Henson Studios and various publishers. He moved to the area two years ago with his two young children and wife, an ICU nurse. He also teaches courses in cartooning and painting at Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley.
Mr. Cullum is a member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Professionals in the medium lead workshops and classes, hold exhibits and provide support for the local artist community.
He is unsure when he’ll begin work on a sequel to the girl-meets-bear tale, but he said his next project will be influenced by his new home.
“A large reason why we moved to Pittsburgh was because of the art community,” Mr. Cullum said. “There’s a really great educational system and community of comics that are encouraging each other to push the medium in different directions. There’s a lot for kids and families. It’s a very welcoming place for families.”