I have mixed memories of college - on the one hand, art school was very difficult and stressful, but on the other hand, I got to try some amazing things I may have never attempted if professors didn't push me. Sometimes I think about how productive I was in college, and it's hard to keep that kind of momentum going for personal projects long after graduating. In my art submission to the exhibit "Future Former" at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design, I photographed some progress I've made on my comic series "AER HEAD," and wrote about my struggles with completing this enormous personal project.
More about the exhibition, from the Stamps School site: "Future Former: An Exhibition of Alumni Work honors the creative work and careers of all Stamps School alumni, creates an aspirational connection between generations of U-M artists and designers and current Stamps students, and inspires reflection during the university's Bicentennial year. Funds raised through this exhibition will support new studios and collaborative spaces at Stamps.
Curated by Stamps Professor Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo with alumna Emily Schumer (BFA 2017), Future Former will be on view Monday, January 8-Friday, February 9, 2018 on the first floor of the Art and Architecture Building 2000 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Join us for an artist panel and exhibition reception on Monday, January 29 from 5 - 6:30pm. The artist panel, moderated by John Luther, Career Development Coordinator, includes Janna Coumoundouros (BFA 1998), Nawal Motawi (BFA 1988), Robin Wilt (BFA 1971), and Matthew Zivich (BSDes 1960)."
I'm sure all the art is phenomenal, but I'd encourage anyone to go this Monday just to see the moderator, John Luther! I probably wouldn't be living and working in NYC now if it wasn't for his encouragement. Among helping me with many other struggles of college stresses, I remember he first planted that little seed of "what if" I moved to NYC. I was scared at first, because I'd never been there. But here I am! And have been for 7+ years, making it as an artist! Now that I'm teaching cartooning myself, I hope that some encouragement seeds grow for my students. You never know what will stick with someone or be life changing.
