Some simple mazes can be solved in only 20 seconds, but more
complex puzzles could take as long as 20 minutes. MazeToons
will challenge both children and adults.
“Children are smarter than we give them credit,” Wos says.
“Skill and talent knows no age.”
He starts creating his mazes without doing any preliminary
sketches. It may take only a few minutes to create a simple
MazeToon, but more complex illustrations could take up to two
hours to complete.
Wos has published several books of his more challenging
MazeToon illustrations, including collections based on myths,
American states, animals and dinosaurs. The themes reflect his
personal interests. Wos has been fascinated by myths all his life
and loves traveling around the United States. He also published
a children’s book, “The Three Little Pigsburghers: As Told in
Pittsburghese.”
Wos has also created several large mural-size mazes, including
one on display at the StarKist headquarters. In 2012, he created
the world’s largest hand-drawn maze, which covered more than
140 square feet and included 100 illustrations. It took more than
80 hours to finish the project.
He also gives live performances around the country at schools,
festivals and concerts. Wos has appeared with the Pittsburgh
Symphony Orchestra and drew illustrations inspired by the
music. For example, when the orchestra played “Flight of the
Bumblebee,” Wos drew a swarm of bees.
“It’s a creative way to meld two different art forms,” he says.
“Nobody else is doing it.”
He also presents workshops at schools where he tells stories
and draws. The stories are based on various themes, such as
encouraging children to be creative or speak out against bullying.
The performances are very fast-paced.
“It’s like seeing a picture book being created before your very
eyes,” Wos says. One girl in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently had her
home damaged in the fires and mudslides there. Her prized
possession had been a drawing of a unicorn Wos had given her at
a performance. He eagerly replaced it when the girl’s mother told
him about the disaster.
“To have that kind of impact brings you to tears,” he notes.
Wos has been creating mazes for so long that people who saw
him as youngsters are now bringing their children to see him
perform.
In 2007, Wos created the ToonSeum, which is one of only
three museums dedicated to cartoon art in the United States. He
founded the ToonSeum to bring attention to the importance of
cartoon art. Although there are numerous cartoon art collections
in European museums, such exhibits are rare in the United States.
Wos stepped down as executive director in 2014 to focus on his
artistic career.
“Cartoons are a part of our lives that we take for granted,” he
explains. “Snoopy is more recognizable than the Mona Lisa in
some parts of the world.”
Even after 30 years, Wos still finds inspiration for new projects.
He’d like to do a book of MazeToons based on illustrations
inspired by “Alice in Wonderland.” He also hopes a local
newspaper will publish his illustrations.
Wos urges aspiring artists to draw frequently because patience
and persistence are important.
“When your lucky moment comes, you have to be ready,
because you don’t know when your chance is going to come,” he
advises. “There’s a lot of rejection along the way, so you have to
stick with it.”
Although Wos was inspired by Charles M. Schulz, the creator
of “Peanuts,” it’s also important for each artist to develop their
own style.
“You have to make your own path,” he says. “I’ve always taken
cartooning in a direction that’s different than other artists.”
For more information, visit mazetoons.com. ■
PENN HILLS
❘
SPRING 2018
13