MICA out, Summer in

Summer! And Congratulations to those graduating from MICA this year~

This past semester was busiest I've ever been in my life. Between working 3 jobs, taking 18 credits and helping a friend brush epoxy onto his canoe I also managed... well, I managed.

In my last post I mentioned being one of the winners for the 2011 Words on Wheels joint project with Baltimore schools. There was a reception where we met with the young poets and were given the chance to get to know them a little better. Here are a few links to the Words on Wheels event where you can view other winning poems as well as a video which contains several interviews.

http://www.mica.edu/Browse_Art/Words_on_Wheels_2011.html

http://mta.maryland.gov/news/press/index.cfm?id=693&year=2011&month=4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pmgeTkXhRY

Another recent big deal was the outcome of my portfolio for MICA's Undergraduate Competitive Scholarships. I was fortunate enough to have been awarded two scholarships: (1) the Nancy Lee Rhodes Roberts '39 Scholarship and (2) the Seymour Mandelbaum Merit Scholarship.

Its hard for me express how helpful these scholarships are. I was actually really close to not returning to school next year because I lacked the financial backing. However! Thanks to these scholarships, I can be in school this next year. So, from the bottom of my black, rotting heart, thank you, donors!

In terms of artwork, I am working on a comic that I started for my Sequential Arts class: PAPER MOUNTAIN. When completed it will be 20 pages. Here is the first page of the story and also a progress shot of me trying to get my act together during finals week:

Here is a link to my sequential arts class blog where you can view other works by my charming classmates: http://sequentialartbaltimore.blogspot.com/

I am shooting to complete the comic this summer and I will also try to find a publisher. So if you like me and you know a publisher, please set us up on a blind date. I am really good with dates and I will never disappoint.

Thanks for sticking around!

There is more to come!

" Upbeat" poem by Rasethamir El

At MICA there is this project with the MTA and a few other folks where we take poems written by local school children and create illustrations based off those poems. This project is called "Words on Wheels." The chosen poem/illustrations are then integrated into the MTA system by being displayed in busses so that passengers can gawk at them.

My poem is titled "Upbeat" and it was written by Rasethamir El (3rd Grade) who is a student at Windsor Hills Elementary and Middle School.

Here is the poem:

You don't have to fight.

Take flight to right.

Don't use your hands.

Be the better man.

Use verbals to get

Through your hurdles!

Here's what I came up with. I hope Rasethamir thinks its okay.