Cartoonist Leah Lopez Brings Talents to Westchase

Leah Lopez has been drawing ever since she was 2 years old.  The 21 year old entrepreneur has taken her passion for art and turned it into a business. 

Patch caught up with Leah who will be conducting a class to teach kids how to draw characters later this month at the on Tuesday, July 12.

Patch: When did you realize that you loved to draw and color?

Leah: I was about 2 and my mother gave me paper so I would stop scribbling on the walls of our house. 

Patch: How did you come up with the idea of starting a business to teach kids how to draw cartoons?

Leah:  When I was 16 a librarian from the Town 'N Country library saw some of my artwork and suggested that I do a cartooning workshop.  They advertised it and 144 kids showed up!  I remember thinking that this could be a great idea for libraries and shortly after that I formed my corporation.

Patch: In addition to libraries where else do you teach cartooning?

Leah: I do children's birthday parties too.  In the course of a year I do approximately 90-100 events.  The summer is busiest because libraries are looking to find family friendly things for parents to do with their kids until school starts.

Patch:  How do you teach kids to draw?

Leah: I draw one shape at a time and they follow along with what I do.  We usually do 5 to 6 figures and the class runs for an hour.  Once the drawings are finished we color them. 

Patch: You advertise Manga and Anime characters. What are they?

Leah: Both are Japanese animations.  Anime is TV show art and Manga is comic book art.  They are both very popular with kids.

Patch: When you aren't drawing what do you do?

Leah: I'm a full time student at St. Petersburg Business College.  I think having a business degree will really help me grow my business.

For more information about Leah's cartooning check her website: http://www.cartooningparties.com/

Leah’s Cartooning at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library         

Tuesday, July 12 at 2 p.m.

Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa

FREE