John Wagner

Creator of Maxine

 

Mother and grandmother inspire Hallmark artist John Wagner to create Maxine

Note: See a short video of John Wagner talking about how his mother influenced and embraced Maxine!
Whatever pops into her mind, Maxine says. Ordinarily, folks might be
offended. But instead, millions of Americans have identified with the
crabby, irreverent Maxine, the popular Hallmark character that lambastes
everything from holidays to aging, and does not hesitate to tell it
like it is – or as she sees it.

Maxine keeps up with the times.
"I'd like to try day trading," she says. "I'd start by trading Mondays
for Saturdays." Or she might snap, "You're a year older?...Want me to
moon the birthday fairy for you?"

Nobody and nothing is sacred to
Maxine. She's not your typical warm and fuzzy greeting-card character.
The only thing warm and fuzzy about Maxine is her bunny slippers – and
her dog Floyd!

She points and shakes her finger at you. She
dishes out philosophy to anyone who will listen: "When life hands you
lemons...tuck 'em in your bra. Couldn't hurt, might help."

John
Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his
mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him
art lessons when "fill in the pumpkins" was about the extent of his art
classes at St. John's Catholic School he attended in Leonia, N.J.

John
remembers doodling as a preschooler, and says both his grandmother and
his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the
Vesper George School of Art in Boston, and landed at Hallmark as part
of a new artists group.

But it was the birth of the humorous
Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that
added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of
seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine.

"Cartoonists
are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize
them," John says. "If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels
lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another
birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful
interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on
someone's face is what it's all about."

Those smiles have led to
Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have been the
subject of media stories, including People, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they have been included in a major Associated Press story.

Collector
and trade publications have reported that fans nationwide are
collecting Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and
Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine. Many people say they
are just like Maxine.

Why the name "Maxine"? "People at Shoebox
started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady,' and I
knew that would get me into trouble with my wife," John says.

The
Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character, and
three of the approximately 30 entries suggested "Maxine." John says the
name is perfect.

John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her.
https://corporate.hallmark.com/PeopleBehindOurProducts/John-Wagner