You love Maxine - but did you ever hear her story?

You love Maxine - but did you ever hear her story?

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who paid for his art lessons. John remembers his grandmother and mother encouraging his artistic interests when he doodled as a preschooler. 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 1986 origination of the Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) that added a new dimension to John's professional life. Shoebox's humorous perspective on the world helped him unleashed his talents, and Maxine was born.

"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."

Letters from fans to John and Maxine reveal their very personal connection to Maxine. Many people say they are just like her.

John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her. Now you know the story of how Maxine came to be.

Check out Maxine's comments on Fall...

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