By Jill McGowan and Iona McKnight                              

Notre Dame’s craftiest pupils were left inspired to create their own graphic novels after being treated to a visit from two internationally successful authors.

John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, aka ‘Metaphrog’, have experienced success in America, the UK and around the world with their series of stunning graphic novels.

The talented duo took time out of their artistic lives to visit Notre Dame on Friday, May 10^th, and pupils were gobsmacked to learn that John is actually a fellow Greenockian.

The gathered pupils listened in awe as John opened the creative workshop by explaining how he grew up in Kelly Street and ended up in New York. Determined to follow his passion, future graphic novelist John simply committed himself to drawing, doodling and sketching every single day.

John’s co-creator, French-born Sandra explained how Metaphrog eventually came to the world’s attention when a New York publisher fell in love with their eye-catching, visually-compelling work.

Explaining why they both consider it important to make time for schools, John told pupils: “Our advice would be to practise, to work hard. If you enjoy something whether it’s playing football, playing a musical instrument, dancing or drawing then doing it doesn’t really feel like work – it’s a pleasure, and if you keep doing it you get better, you improve.

“Both of us grew up wanting to have an education for its own sake, not as a means to some other end but just to be educated.”

John also explained that, by visiting schools, he and Sandra actually get lots out of it themselves as artists.

“We were lucky enough as young people to read and to use libraries, and we feel that by visiting schools and sharing some of our own experience, we also learn from the pupils,” he said.

Reflecting on the session afterwards, John told Notre Dame Now: “Our afternoon in Notre Dame was very enjoyable. We were made most welcome and the workshop session was good fun. Thank you again for inviting us.’

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