Randel McGee lives in Orem, Utah.
What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
- Getting Along with Groark—A puppet video series of five episodes in association with the Character Counts Foundation.
- Popcorn Park: The 6 Pillars of Character—A six-episode puppet video series with the Character Counts Foundation
- Sixteen titles under Celebrate Holidays with Paper Crafts: Christmas, Chinese New Year, Halloween, Day of the Dead and more. (Enslow Publishers)
- Four titles in the Fun and Festive Crafts series: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. (Enslow Publishers)
- Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector—Author & Illustrator with Familius Publishers (Just released!)
What inspired you to become a creator of media?
A deep desire to share my talents with others. A realization that the arts are a way to reach people spirit-to-spirit and share Gospel principles.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There have been so many amazing aspects of my career, but one of the most memorable was a three-month artist-in-residence program in Omagh, Northern Ireland, in 2019 teaching storytelling and puppetry skills to children and educators there. My wife and I quickly came to love the people and culture of Ireland. We became especially close to the small LDS branch in town.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?
Do your best to be honest in your performances, don’t try to be something you are not. Do not “talk down” to young audiences; treat them with respect.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
Strive for friendly professionalism. Maintain high standards of personal integrity and honor. Be a team player, and support fellow artists who share similar standards.
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
Seeing the work of other artists. And the barrage of new ideas that I often get.
What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?
I get sparks of story or program ideas that I then start to flesh out aloud and on paper. A similar process can be said of my visual works—the images start to form in my mind’s eye, and then I see myself add the details mentally before doing rough sketches and finished pieces.
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
In my hometown I often have adults come up to me and say, “I remember when you came to my school when I was a child. It was always the high point of my school year. I now bring my children to your shows whenever I can.”
If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046132796100
https://www.facebook.com/Randel-McGee-as-Hans-Christian-Andersen-178341550996
https://www.facebook.com/Paper-and-Scissors-ROCK-411456305654
While we were on vacation for several months—you moved away and I did not get to say “bye”. Your family were wonderful neighbors, I think you moved to Utah and hope you are happily resettled. Keep up your wonderful and interesting career.