Steckley

Children’s BookIllustrator

Reuben Award Winner

Travels from: Milwaukee, WI

“Colorful, amusing, and detailed double-page spreads resemble the real Rube Goldberg’s cartoons. . . Endpapers with sight gags, a progression of animals, and more add to the merriment, while a concluding look at simple machines keeps the antics educational.” — Booklist

Wisconsin Native Ed Steckley has been a humorous illustrator for over 30 years, beginning in live caricature, comic books and magazine illustration, to advertising and now children’s books. He’s the illustrator of two different STEM/STEAM series, based in the world of Rube Goldberg and his crazy contraptions. The first is a picture book series, focused around Rube Goldberg – a little boy who creates crazy machines and contraptions to help him get through his day. The other is a Middle Reader series, written by Brandon T. Snider, which follows a middle school aged Rube as he navigates middle school and embraces his love of science, engineering and machine building. Both are published by Abrams/Amulet. Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building: Make 25 Machines That Really Work! comes out in October of 2024.

In addition to children’s books, Ed’s work has appeared in numerous publications, most notably Mad magazine. He’s also an advertising illustrator, working for countless advertising agencies world wide. He is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Society of Illustrators.

Ed's Featured Titles

Rube Goldberg Machine Creation

For the STEM/STEAM minded, we discuss my process for creating Rube Goldberg machines. From entering the mindset of an engineer, all the way towards execution of the final art, using humor and ridiculous innovation to create these funny, overly complicated and delightful contraptions. Live drawing, audience interaction, and lots of Q&A and anecdotes make this fun for machine builders of all ages.

All ages

Rube Goldberg and the History of Cartooning

From the early days of newspapers when publishers found that visual storytelling would help to attract viewers, how artists and cartoonists have evolved the art of cartooning to attract and keep their readers engaged. Special focus given to historic comics, editorial cartoons, and Rube Goldberg in particular as an example of how the past has helped shape the current state of cartooning.
Ages 10 & up

Drawing Caricature and Humor

A comprehensive lecture on the history of caricature utilizing historical examples, visuals and examples of it’s use throughout history. Followed by my personal experience and love for the art, and how that applies to various other forms of art and illustration. Ending with a live caricature demo session and Q&A. Chock full of visuals, anecdotes, and lots of live drawing!

All ages

Drawing and Painting: The Process

A technical presentation on a number of painting techniques, with examples of each. Then a step by step demonstration of how I incorporate tools and techniques that best serve the project at hand from traditional media to digital. Live drawing, and lively Q&A.
Ages 10 & up

Art Instruction

A talk geared towards the psychology of drawing. How an artist’s mindset and attitude translates into the work. Includes a short history of various types of art, from caricature as a means of political and sociological expression, to editorial illustration and beyond.

Includes a comprehensive slideshow with examples, and ends with a live drawing session and Q&A

Ages 13 & up

“Ed Steckley was a great fit for our district STEAM night. He was able to work with our high school art students in the afternoon of the event and the seamlessly transition to sharing his talents and Rube Goldberg books with our elementary students and families in the evening. What a great fit for our event!” — South Milwaukee High School, 2024

“When I look at an Ed Steckley illustration, my eyeballs want to step out of my head and kiss my face! Ed puts so much care and effort into each of his illustrations that it’s worth lingering over each one to discover the witty nuances that are secreted away in the backgrounds and the margins.”— Jim Davis, Garfield Creator

“This book made my kids laugh and got them off screens. No really. It’s magic.” — Jim Gaffigan, Comedian

“Steckley’s black-and-white illustrations evoke the cluttered, mad-scientist feel of Rube (Goldberg)’s workspace. . .” — Kirkus Reviews

“With middle school humor and entertaining images, Rube learns to navigate strange and difficult situations in this first installment of the ‘Rube Goldberg’ series.” — School Library Journal

“Colorful, amusing, and detailed double-page spreads resemble the real Rube Goldberg’s cartoons… Endpapers with sight gags, a progression of animals, and more add to the merriment, while a concluding look at simple machines keeps the antics educational.” —Booklist

Ed’s Portfolio

Ed’s Merchandise

Ed’s Blog

Kalamazoo Museum’s Rube Goldberg Traveling Exhibit

Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention Exhibit!

Honors, Awards & Recognition

National Cartoonists Society’s top award winner for Best in Book Illustration
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement
Divisional Reuben Award from National Cartoonists Society for Best in Advertising Illustration
Book Illustration
Magazine Illustration
Parents Choice Gold Award

Media clips

WSOCDN | Milwaukee, Racine & Me show

CBS | The Drawing Board: Racine’s Ed Steckley illustrates a laugh

CBS | Racine & Me: Meet Illustrator Ed Steckley

Journal Times | Absence makes the ‘art’ grow fonder: Racine native illustrator wins UW-Whitewater award after moving back to Wisconsin

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

Steckley

Rube Goldberg Machine Creation

Rube Goldberg and the History of Cartooning

Drawing Caricature and Humor

Drawing and Painting: The Process

Art Instruction

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Media clips

Media Kit

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