Cartooning Career to Christian Homeschooler

Ever since I could hold a pencil, I was hooked on drawing. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be an artist. I’d doodle on everything—but what really captured my heart was cartooning. There’s just something about those simple, fun drawings that make stories come alive.

I spent every free moment drawing. I copied characters from my favorite comics, sketched scenes from cartoons on TV, and filled my notebooks with endless drawings. Cartooning became my passion.

The Journey of a Christian Cartoonist

My name is Debi Hamuka-Falkenham, and if we were sitting across the kitchen table right now—coffee in hand, surrounded by half-finished workbooks and crayon bits—I’d probably start by saying: “You’re doing an amazing job.”

Seriously. I know firsthand from homeschooling my own kids and now my grandsons, what it’s like to juggle Bible lessons, math meltdowns, snack requests (every 17 minutes), and somehow fit in an art project without covering the dog in glitter. You’re showing up, pouring your heart into your kids, and building a homeschool that reflects your family’s values, your love for learning, and your faith. That’s no small thing.

And I want to share a little piece of my story with you—not just because I’ve spent the last 40 years doing studio work and 25 years teaching cartooning for kids, or because I homeschool—but because I believe what I’ve learned can make your homeschool richer, more joyful, and even a little easier.

Let me tell you how this all started—and why I believe faith-based art education is one of the best gifts you can give your children.

I Was That Kid… and Maybe You’ve Got One Too

I was born in the South Bronx, New York, then later moved to Connecticut. The youngest of six in a very practical, hardworking family. Creativity wasn’t exactly on the syllabus. But there I was—doodling on homework, napkins, the backs of church bulletins (oops), and anything else that sat still long enough.

Nobody really knew what to do with a kid who could not stop drawing. But I knew deep inside, even as a child, that God had planted this desire to create inside me—and it wasn’t going away. You can check out some of my artwork here.

On top of that I was, and still am, an avid animal lover... and guess what my favorite type of cartoon is to draw.

Yep, goofy cartoon animals!

Maybe you have a child like that too. One who lights up at the sight of a fresh notebook. Who makes up stories and silly voices, and who draws cartoons and comics that make absolutely no sense but crack them up anyway.

You know cartoons where animals act like humans. That's something that I loved to draw  (and still do). 

Or maybe, like I was, your child struggles in traditional subjects, and you're looking for new ways to help them connect.

Either way—I get it.

The Challenge Creative Kids Face

But here’s the thing—school wasn’t exactly set up for kids like me. To be honest, most subjects felt… well, boring. I’d sit in class thinking, “Why do I need all this stuff when all I want to do is draw?” It seemed like a waste of time.

Then, one day, it hit me—everything I learned in school helped me make cartoons! What a shocker! Math, science, writing—it all had a place in my artistic world. And then I realized that there are so many kids out there who, just like me, don’t see the connection. Kids who get lost in the shuffle of traditional education because it doesn’t speak their language—creativity.

That’s why I started Cowtoonist Cartoon Academy. I want creative kids to discover the Art-Academic connection early on because it will help thrive in so many ways.

Why Cartooning Belongs in Your Homeschool

Let me just say it straight: cartooning is powerful. It’s not just about drawing goofy faces (though I promise you, that never gets old). It’s about helping your child learn how to express ideas, explore emotions, build stories, and grow in confidence.

And here’s the cool part: cartooning naturally connects to just about every school subject. Even in the wacky world of cartooning, things like math, science, and writing play a huge role.

• Math We use shapes, symmetry, and measurement to design characters.
• Grammar Kids learn how to structure stories, write dialogue, and develop sequencing through comic strips.
• Science Think animal cartoons, weather illustrations, diagrams that will stick in their memory.
• History and Bible Want them to remember a story? Let them draw it.

If your homeschool sometimes feels like pulling teeth when it comes to academics, adding a creative outlet like cartooning can make a huge difference. It makes the learning stick, and it gives your kids a reason to be excited
about what they’re doing. Here's an interesting article: Why Art Should Be A Priority In Homeschool

This is more than just art.
It’s a homeschool art curriculum that teaches real skills—academic, emotional, and spiritual.

Creativity as a Connection to Christ

Here’s what I love most about weaving creativity into homeschooling: it reflects the heart of our Creator.

Your kids were made in the image of the ultimate Artist. The same God who painted sunsets, designed giraffes, and invented color… made them creative. Whether they’re sketching superheroes, drawing Bible scenes, or inventing their own animal-robot-alien hybrids (it happens), they’re tapping into a piece of who God created them to be.

In our home, we talk about this a lot. That creativity isn’t just fun—it’s worship.
It’s how we express, explore, and even process our faith.

When your kids draw something meaningful to them—whether it’s Noah’s Ark with narwhals or a comic about kindness at co-op—they’re connecting heart and hand, thought and spirit. That’s what makes Christian homeschooling such a powerful space for art. You can make those connections. You can let them express
their faith creatively and proudly.

What It Looks Like in Real Life
(Mess and All)

Let’s be honest—homeschooling isn’t always picture-perfect. Some days we’re doing happy dances because everyone finished their work before lunch.

Then there are those other days, you know "those days". Like the day where my oldest grandson is in full-on Algebra meltdown, and the younger has lost his eraser for the 900th time and our super fat, fluffy cat, decides to lay smack down on the keyboard as I'm trying to work and will not move, no matter what I do. 

This is real life. And in our house, we’ve learned to laugh our way through it. That’s where cartooning swoops in like a superhero with a pencil cape.

Cartooning isn’t just drawing—it’s thinking outside the box, giggling inside the lines, and sometimes putting socks on your ears and pretending to be a basset hound. (Yes, that actually happened—my son, age 3, proudly transformed into a floppy-eared creature. It was preschool drama class meets zoology meets comedy hour.)

These silly, creative, messy moments? They’re gold. That’s why I build cartooning into our homeschool day. It gives us breathing room. A pause. A place where we can relax, reset, and still be learning without even realizing it. Some of our best lessons haven’t come from textbooks—you see Cartooning lets us sneak in science, storytelling, scripture, and even spelling. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be fancy.

It just has to be yours. Your family, your flavor of fun, your fingerprints on learning. Because when humor lives in your home, learning becomes something they don’t just do—it becomes something they love.

The Cowtoonist Cartoon Academy - Created for You

If you’re nodding your head right now—or even just curious—then you’ll love
what’s coming. Very soon I’ll be launching something brand-new just for
Christian homeschooling families like yours: 

The Cowtoonist Cartoon Academy, will be a fun, faith-filled online space where kids can explore the world of cartooning, while strengthening academics and building creativity.

In the Cowtoonist Cartoon Academy, your kids will:

• Learn how to draw expressive characters
• Explore storytelling, joke writing, and comic structure
• Connect cartooning to core subjects like math, science, and writing
• See how art is used in real life—on cereal boxes, toothpaste tubes, T-shirts, books, and beyond
• Learn in a supportive, Christ-centered space where creativity is celebrated

The lessons are designed for homeschoolers and built with heart—for kids who learn differently, think visually,
or just need something fun and meaningful to bring their learning to life.

Something Fun for the Kids and it’s Free Just Click Here

Want to add even more fun into your homeschool? Well, I’ve created “Cartoons, Cartoons Everywhere”, a free fun mini workbook packed with creative activities for you and your kids to enjoy! 

So, what’s Inside?

✅ Fun facts about cartoons in everyday life
✅ A Cartoon Scavenger Hunt                    
✅ Cartoon Drawing Tips for the Kids
✅ Draw What You See Page
✅ Draw-your-own cartoon creation page
✅ A fun coloring page
Plus a Parents Scavenger Hunt Tip Sheet

Why You’ll Love This Activity Book!

✅ It’s Quick & Easy – No prep, no mess,
you can just print it and get started
✅ It Sparks Creativity – Encourages your
kids see the world differently.
✅ It’s Educational – A fun way to explore
art, design, and observation skills.
✅ It Encourages Family Fun – Great for learning together and getting creative!

If you haven’t grabbed your free cartoon workbook yet.
CLICK HERE AND GET YOURS TODAY! 

A Final Word from This Homeschooling Mema

I know you have a million choices to make every day. And I know that adding one more thing can feel overwhelming. But I truly believe that bringing more creativity—more joy—into your homeschool can be
a game-changer. Not just for your kids, but for you.

Because when we give our children tools to express themselves, grow in confidence, and reflect God’s creativity, we’re planting seeds that will
bloom for a lifetime.

So go ahead—hand them the pencils, the markers, the comic strip template. Let them doodle. Let them dream. And let them learn.

And if you need someone in your corner, cheering you on, reminding you that art is learning, and that laughter
is holy—I’ll be right here to help. “Where faith, fun, and creativity come to life—one cartoon at a time.”

With love, encouragement, and lots of cartoon cows
Debi Hamuka-Falkenham 
The Cowtoonist Cartoon Academy